Airport services

Airport services

Last September I flew from Padang to Jakarta by Garuda.
While waiting for my flight, I found the departure hall to be
very crowded.

At about 11 a.m., Mandala, Lion Air and Garuda airplanes
landed in succession. A little later there came an announcement
for Mandala passengers to board their plane through gate one.
There was a bit of a commotion as the Mandala passengers tried to
get through the gate. While the Mandala passengers were trying to
pass through their gate, it was announced that Lion Air
passengers should board their plane through gate two.

A little while later, with the departure hall still a scene of
noisy confusion, Garuda passengers were asked to board their
plane through gate one. After some shoving and pushing, all of
the passengers were able to board their respective airplanes and
the three planes took off.

Arriving at terminal two of Soekarno-Hatta International
Airport in Jakarta, I found that the baggage of the Lion Air
passengers had been put on a conveyor belt next to the baggage of
the Garuda passengers. The monitor, however, said one belt was
for a Garuda flight from Batam and the other for a Garuda flight
from Solo. Of course, the Lion Air passengers and Garuda
passengers from Padang, including me, were confused. The two
employees in charge simply kept checking baggage cards and did
not try to calm passengers' confusion.

I wonder when our airports will be professionally managed so
that passengers can enjoy fast and comfortable service.

SUGENG HARTONO
Jakarta