Thank you Air NZ
April 12th, 2005 at 10:25 pm by David FarrarToday I did two things on a plane I have never done before:
1) Board without a boarding pass
2) Take my suitcase on as hand luggage
I had an 11 a.m. flight to Auckland and got there at just after 10.45 a.m. to be told the flight was closed. I turned on the charm but got told that once the pilot has the manifest they can not change that. I then tried more charm, and subtly mentioned I do have gold elite flight status, and that in the past some flexibility has been shown. Still looking bad. I then pull out the last desperate plea that I have a TV interview in Auckland at 1245 pm and will miss it if I can’t get on the flight, and don’t even mind if the suitcase comes later.
A quick phone call eventuates and I am told to run to Gate 17 and I can board if there in a couple of minutes and to take luggage with me, and not to worry about a boarding pass to save time. I scare assorted travellers by sprinting through airport and the nice boarding staff do not hassle me too much as I try to board with no pass and a suitcase.
Anyway huge thanks to the Air NZ staff for their flexibility and assistance.
No tag for this post.
April 13th, 2005 at 6:56 am
It is that sort of flexibility that NZ is famous for. However that sanctimonious twerp who is our Minister of Transport will probably say that Air NZ endangered passenger safety because you were not checked in properly.
Vote:April 13th, 2005 at 8:05 am
So it was the TV interview that swung it?
Vote:Hmm.
April 13th, 2005 at 9:33 am
Well come on, Man. When and where’s the bloody interview and what’s it all about? Are you announcilg MArian has pulled out? Don’t leave things hanging in mid air!!!!
Vote:April 14th, 2005 at 9:47 am
What if you were a dangerous terrorist?
Vote:April 14th, 2005 at 5:16 pm
To be blunt this sort of tale really ticks me off.
I once had to transport a young Mother to AKL airport for a flight home to her young children in WGN. She had been told by the airline to be there by 12.30pm which she was – bang on but an error had been made and the flight actually closed at 12.30pm.
I’m sure you can guess where this is going… No amount of pleading by either of us saw them allow her on the plane despite the fact that she was mere seconds late. Air NZ deprived 2 young boys of their Mothers company that day. Shame.
Vote: