Flying in safety<\/p>\n
I would like to share an eye-opening experience I had with
\nGaruda Indonesia. On June 28, 1996 I had to leave suddenly for
\nSingapore as my husband was having emergency surgery there.<\/p>\n
As my exit permit had expired I requested the immigration
\nofficials at the airport to issue me one on compassionate ground
\n-- which they very kindly agreed to do. I was booked on GA890 and
\nhad already checked my luggage in and obtained a boarding card.<\/p>\n
As the flight time neared and my papers were still not ready,
\nthe immigration officer asked me to apprise the Garuda staff at
\nthe check-in counter. I approached the counter staff and
\nexplained my problem saying that I was checked in on GA 890 but
\nwas still waiting for my papers to be cleared. Certain in my mind
\nthat the flight would not leave without me since my suitcase was
\nalready checked in and not wishing the flight to be delayed on my
\naccount, I asked if they could put me on the next Garuda flight
\nwhich was due to leave about two hours later. To my amazement the
\nGaruda counter official just shrugged his shoulders and said that
\nthat was not their problem and the flight would leave without me.
\nNot quite believing my ears I asked him \"Are you saying that this
\nflight will leave with my luggage and without me?\" The official
\nsaid \"Yes -- you will get your luggage either in Singapore or
\nAmsterdam.\" His indifference was only eclipsed by his rudeness.<\/p>\n
In the event, GA 890 was delayed by two hours and I managed to
\nfly to Singapore. However, I made a mental note never to fly
\nGaruda again. Their safety standards are too lax. To my knowledge
\nno other airline would allow any of its flights to take off
\nunless all passengers with checked luggage are accounted for and
\non board.<\/p>\n
R.S. POTTER<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/flying-in-safety-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }