26 July 2008

Flight SA208 was cancelled on Saturday 26 July by SAA - stood in line for hours - it was a truly ugly mess. Cited mechanical problems. Looked like I'd be heading out Sunday morning 27 July at 10:00, looking like I'd make the connecting flight out of Jo'berg.

Kept my cool throughout, which is more than I can say for the SAA staff. They were total unprepared and ineffective. Found out one interesting thing -- the folks at the Dulles ticket counter are some type subcontractors and not direct SAA personnel. This really complicated things as they did not have the same level of access to SAA resources and info. Overall, they were very unprofessional. They lady in charge was scolding everyone -- customer and staff alike. Also, SAA Customer Care Offices and Call Centers are not open after 4:00pm on weekends - so, we were pretty much SOL, and at the mercy of the counter agents (they had none). Only other option given was to fly Air France to Heathrow, link up with KLM to JNB, and SAA to Bulawayo. Can't imagine that my luggage would make it.

27 July 2008

I'm here in Johannesburg, overnighting in a hotel paid for by SAA -- actually, a pretty nice place (and I get free dinner and breakfast) but the price that I had to pay for the free room has been very high. It has been an absurdly poor trip thus far. When I got to the airport on Sunday for the rescheduled flight, they did not begin checking folks in until after 8:00 am. Reason being, SAA did not upload the passenger manifest into the automated system, so they had to manually enter everyone's information. The flight was scheduled to depart at 10:00, which would have got me there in time for a Bulawayo connection. Well, they took until 12:36 to liftoff, and missed my connection. It was just as well, as my bowcase did not show up in JNB with me anyway. SAA folks have been completely aloof in the matter, and in fact the lady at Dulles actually laughed at my making a connection -- which I did not think was funny. Well, lost a hunt day, and will put in a claim with the airline. [NOTE: I wanted my luggage checked straight through to Bulawayo to avoid any possible complications, and SAA refused, saying that I was not likely to make my connection and would need to overnight, so they would only check it to JNB, where I would have to retrieve it]

On a more positive note -- I spoke to my PH who followed up with SAA MGT about my luggage. The report is that my bag was delayed getting through security in Dulles and should be in the late afternoon flight. They anticipate that it will arrive with me in Bulawayo (I'm not counting on it). As a contingency, my PH knows a guy with a new completely rigged out Mathews bow with arrows, which we can borrow for the hunt, and it will be in camp upon my arrival.

Auspicious beginnings, but the good news is that it can only improve from here. I plan to have fun no matter what happens. This is my vacation, and I won't allow it to be spoiled. There will be some overcoming adversity stories in my future.

The only way that SAA performance or service could have been worse is if they crashed the plane. What a shame, years ago this outfit used to be a class act -- every trip I take with them gets progressively worse.

28 July 2008

Arrived at JNB at 08:00 for an 11:15 flight so that I could work things out on the bow case. However, SAA customer service said that although I had filed a missing luggage claim, they had no visibility on it, and the case had not shown up yet. They said that they suspected that it was still in the US, but not to be surprised if it showed up in Bulawayo on my flight that morning (I replied that I wasn’t counting on it, but would be pleasantly surprised).

Showed up in Bulawayo (BUQ), but the bow case did not. Outfitter said that SAA manager was his personal friend and we would retrieve the case. However, it never showed up during my entire hunt. My travel agent said that her contacts located it in the Firearms Registration Vault at the JNB International Terminal. Outfitter claimed that he was going to drive down and recover it for me, and I provided him with a letter and other document, but don’t believe that he ever attempted it.

Anyway, it never showed up for my entire hunt.
Was able to do some hunting with borrowed equipment, but missed some hunting days – personal bow of my PH. It did not fit me right, but with some practice, I was able to manage.

10 August 2008

When I arrived in JNB, SAA was sticking to their original story that it never showed up in JNB, and they suspected that it never left the US. I then approached the police at the firearms station near baggage claim. She checked the books and did not find an entry that it had come through, but she acknowledged that this did not mean that it never showed up. So, I asked – if a case showed up with nobody here to claim it, where would it be taken? She said that it would go to the Firearms Registration Vault on the other side of the International Terminal. So, that’s where I went next. They made me describe the case and provide them with the baggage claim tag. Then they let me enter the vault. There it was, in all of its glory – where it had spent my entire hunt. I was able to retrieve it, and asked why it was not forwarded to BUQ – They replied that it should have been checked straight through to BUQ, and they would not have kept it. Otherwise SAA should have been tracking and forward it upon arrival. Anyway, they were emphatic that this was clearly an SAA mess, and not really all that uncommon these days.

I’ll be filing a damages claim with SAA, and can’t wait to see what they say.

quote:

I’ll be filing a damages claim with SAA, and can’t wait to see what they say.

I had a very similar experience with SAA a couple of years ago and I'm guessing that I know precisely what SAA will say. But, I'm hoping that you'll do better than I did in my go around with them.

That said, in general, I've had mostly good experiences with SAA and don't hesitate to fly them if there's no convenience price to pay. I fly with handguns, so flying through Europe is not a viable option, so for me it's either Delta or SAA -- I can deal with subcontracted counter personel on either one end or the other. There's no perfect answer.

In any case, good luck with your claim. Sometimes things work out with a little persistence.

I had a 3 hour mechanical delay in Dulles the week befor eyou left. I missed the connection to Port Elizabeth and probably stayed at the same place you did, some Don Malibu or something like that. The breakfast omlette was not too bad. Sorry about your bow.

Anyone who still flies SAA deserves what they get. It has become a truly African airline, with all the associated ineptitudes and incompetencies. Have fun.

I feel your pain, look up "northwest nightmare" on here and youll see what happened to me last year.

quote:

Originally posted by Hughiam:
. . . look up "northwest nightmare" . . .

OMG!!! That was an incredible story and a nightmare I could never have even imagined.

I wonder if ever in the future airlines will strive to meet two, just two, objectives:

1) write strict operating policies and procedures
2) employ people capable and WILLING to ensure these policies and procedures are applied/practiced/enforced/adhered to.

Below is the actual response that I received to my claim for damages -- can you believe it?


Dear Mr S,



I refer to your e-mail dated 07 September 2008 and have noted your concerns and the inconvenience this has caused. it is regretted that your travel plans were disrupted by the delay in departure in Washington. However, this does not condone poor staff attitude and lack of professionalism. Our staff was correct to advise you that they can be able to check the bow case to OR Tambo due to time limit with your connecting flight. The case was to be retrieved from the Security or Firearm desk not at the carousel. The fact that this information was not communicated to you is sincerely regretted and we apologise for not living up to your expectations.



We must respectfully decline to compensate you for loss of bow case. However, this matter has been escalated to our Baggage Services for their necessary action.



The fact you experience fraudulent activities during your travel is regret and as the airline we cannot be held responsible for this activities. There are numerous Service Providers at different airports which they do not belong to the airline but to the Airport Authorities. We will forward your concerns to ACSA (Airports Company South Africa) for their immediate attention.



We value your support of our airline trust that given the opportunity we look forward to welcome you onboard South African Airways in the near future.

With kind regards,



Lerato Ginya

quote:

We value your support of our airline trust that given the opportunity we look forward to welcome you onboard South African Airways in the near future.

Right.

Well, I just received my form letter from SAA in Ft. Lauderdale denying compensation for the theft of my two cameras in locked carry-ons that were taken by the stewardesses and placed in the hold of the airplane at the very last minute. Rest assured that I have not finished with SAA. Denying any responsibility for fraudulent activities, negligence and outright theft seems to be standard operating procedure with them. Makes you wonder who all's getting a piece of the action. We all need to be very vocal about the policies and procedures of SAA and boycott this bastardized airline when possible.

Two weeks ago I was in JNB awaiting a SSA flight to Kimberly, SA. The flight time came and went and there was no adjent at the gate. The tv showed an delay but no reason was given or a new departure time shown. At another nearby gate there were 5 SAA gate agents standing around laughting and carring on with each other.(all non-reflectors)When I asked them about my flight status, I was told that if I wanted to know that kind of information, I should fly on British Air...........

So here is the question- With reports like these for several years now, why would ANYONE with a room temperature IQ fly this BEE riddled abortion? There are options....

Crane,

What are the options for South African internal flights? Which other airlines permit firearms?

Also for flights from JNB to Harare and Bulawayo?

Thanks for your suggestions.

Unfortunately, that's the real problem. No options.

quote:

Originally posted by LHowell:
Crane,

What are the options for South African internal flights? Which other airlines permit firearms?

Also for flights from JNB to Harare and Bulawayo?

Thanks for your suggestions.

THERE ARE NO VIABLE OPTIONS AND THE BASTARDS KNOW IT!

JDollar

well there is two options... it will cost in the region of about $ 150 000 one way.... lol.... wish I could afford it myself.



OR

Comair flies into Harare- good flight service but had lugage rifled between Windhoek and Harare and Comair blamed SAA...

Air Zambia flies from Jo'berg to the falls and they are under new management, with new aircraft and seem to be making a real comeback. Better option than Air Zimbabwe.

For those with a strong stomach the cheepest option is Air Zimbabwe. Fly either a 737 or occasionally the 767 on the J'berg Harare route. Fly the Zhing Zhong copy of an Antinov (MA60) on the Bulawayo Route.

quote:

For those with a strong stomach the cheepest option is Air Zimbabwe. Fly either a 737 or occasionally the 767 on the J'berg Harare route. Fly the Zhing Zhong copy of an Antinov (MA60) on the Bulawayo Route.

One up on that, If we can find a pilot who is willing to do the leg, you are more than welcom to use our latest aquisition.... fuel will be for your own cost please note that a waver of liability will be signed

That looks like a trog with a turbo! Have an expired license for a trog - not that you need to be qualified to fly something that is slower than a microlight, suffers bird strikes on the trailing edge, has a calendar instead of ASI, a volume control instead of throttle etc.

quote:

Originally posted by Ganyana:
That looks like a trog with a turbo! Have an expired license for a trog - not that you need to be qualified to fly something that is slower than a microlight, suffers bird strikes on the trailing edge, has a calendar instead of ASI, a volume control instead of throttle etc.

LOL

quote:

Originally posted by Ganyana:
a volume control instead of throttle etc.

anybody dumb enough to fly Air Zim. when there is ANY other option, including hitch hiking deserves whatever happens to them!

This entire thread looks like an endorsement for flying Air Namibia direct to Windhoek next May.

Thanks for the final convincing!