Peter Espeut
IT'S NEVER good to see a good brand name destroyed. We were booked on Air Jamaica from Toronto to Kingston to come home last Sunday. When we got to the airport we were advised by Air Jamaica that the flight was cancelled, and that they would transfer us to an Air Canada flight going to Montego Bay later that day; we would then transfer three hours later to an Air Jamaica aircraft for Kingston. We would arrive six hours later than expected, but at least we would arrive. Bad, but not so bad.
But, predictably, it did not work out that way. The flight to Kingston was delayed for several hours, and despite the protests of many of the passengers, no meal vouchers were issued. When I was asked I was told that it is Air Jamaica's policy not to issue meal vouchers for domestic flights. It was impossible to convince the agent that in fact we were on the last part of an international flight.
We eventually landed at Kingston near 10 p.m. on a full flight. And, of course, without our bags, which had been left in Montego Bay. The large crowd around the missing luggage counter was understandably livid.
BAGS LEFT BEHIND
And from the number of uncollected bags circulating on the carousel as dozens of us besieged the Missing Luggage counter, it was obvious that our bags had been left behind to accommodate earlier passengers whose luggage had been left behind, probably to accommodate yet others, and on and on in an almost infinite series.
Does it have to be this way? That when once the luggage of one set of passengers is late, everyone coming afterwards must suffer the same fate, in a cascading effect, which multiplies the inconvenience. I thought that there was a requirement (for security reasons if for no other) that luggage must travel on the same plane with their owners? If the luggage of one set of passengers is late for whatever reason, that is truly regrettable; things do happen. But to set off a chain reaction of disadvantage affecting hundreds of passengers downstream is nothing less than bad management. The responsibility (and blame) for that goes right to the top.
When bags are late, distribute them on later flights, but not at the expense of later passengers. And if there isn't enough space, then put the luggage on a cargo plane. Thankfully, I was able to collect my bags the next day, but I had to drive in from Palmer's Cross, Clarendon, to do so at my inconvenience and expense.
The Air Jamaica staff were apologetic enough, but the huge Air Jamaica late luggage facility at the airport spoke volumes: this happens all the time! And the airline has created the facilities to cope. And I suppose it does provide additional employment. But it really should be unnecessary!
Three weeks ago a surprise 50th birthday party was planned for a family friend in New York, and his brother and sister here in Jamaica planned to attend. The sister got the real surprise: her flight, like mine, was cancelled at the last moment, and she missed the party. Her brother the wise made it because he insisted over the protestations of his travel agent on flying with another airline. I know we must never say never, but wishing to be wise, I shall never travel Air Jamaica again.
Another friend coming from Washington D.C. on Monday landed very late because his flight, too, was cancelled; his friend did not make it. The stories, I understand, multiply. Recent efforts to build up the brand called Air Jamaica are being negated by present poor management.
BLOW TO AIR JAMAICA
The precipitous cancellation by Air Jamaica of all its eastern Caribbean flights is a blow to the airline's attempts to be considered a regional airline by those in the eastern Caribbean. An interview with a Jamaican hotelier I heard broadcast on the BBC was damning: Air Jamaica has to look after Jamaica first; it is a matter of priority. We will always be seen as a Jamaican airline which happens to fly to the eastern Caribbean from time to time.
As we arrived in the airport of our tourism capital last Sunday, the perspiration began to run down my skin. Isn't the airport supposed to be air-conditioned? As the numbers of passengers hanging about waiting for late Air Jamaica flights grew, jockeying for positions in front of the huge airport fans became feverish. We can now enter aircraft without climbing up steps, but we have to steam for hours beforehand. Can't the Airports Authority do better for us passengers? And if not for Jamaicans, then for the tourists?
Peter Espeut is a sociologist and is executive director of an environment and development non-governmental organsation.
