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Ramou
90 Posts |
 Posted - 03 May 2007 : 03:55:44
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Folks,
I flew Monarch Airlines (bought the ticket through the Gambia Experience website) for my first and LAST time last summer. For starters, the ticket was overpriced, the cabin crew were a bunch of arrogant morons (excuse my French), the food was tasteless and the check-in attendant at Gatwick is the most arrogant piece of garbage I've ever had the misfortune of talking to. So to sum it, I WILL NEVER FLY MONARCH AIRLINES to Banjul.
On the other hand, the good people of Thomas Cook Airlines are a class act! I have nothing but praise for their airport crew, flight attendants etc. I think the Gambians in the UK ought to write to them to convince them to offer year-round service to Banjul even if it means having a single flight per week in the summer. I would love to be part of such a campaign. May God continue to guide the good folks at Thomas Cook. Amen.
Thanks!
Ramou
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Edited by - Ramou on 03 May 2007 04:35:03 |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2007 : 11:39:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Ramou
Folks,
I flew Monarch Airlines (bought the ticket through the Gambia Experience website) for my first and LAST time last summer. For starters, the ticket was overpriced, the cabin crew were a bunch of arrogant morons (excuse my French), the food was tasteless and the check-in attendant at Gatwick is the most arrogant piece of garbage I've ever had the misfortune of talking to. So to sum it, I WILL NEVER FLY MONARCH AIRLINES to Banjul.
On the other hand, the good people of Thomas Cook Airlines are a class act! I have nothing but praise for their airport crew, flight attendants etc. I think the Gambians in the UK ought to write to them to convince them to offer year-round service to Banjul even if it means having a single flight per week in the summer. I would love to be part of such a campaign. May God continue to guide the good folks at Thomas Cook. Amen.
Thanks!
Ramou
Ramou,
Its a little unfair to tar all Monarch Airlines staff with the same brush,whilst not wishing to detract from what you say, I would offer the following,I think its fair to say that Monarch have a hard time in competition with other airlines who fly to more popular routes, Spain for instance,where they can do more flights get a quicker turnaround flying to Banjul is virtually a long haul flight although its true to say its not classed as such, therefore fewer flight and more fuel .How would you like a job where for 5 hours plus you push a trolley up and down trying to sell overpriced products day in day out,I dont expect you would,as these crew must be completly shattered when they finish work, they no longer have a break for a couple of days in Gambia to recover,as far as I know its back on the plane for the return journey.The check in assistant I think is under pressure to maximise income for the company by ensuring that excess baggage is charged for, in the past a blind eye has been turned for charity items as regards excess charges.Airlines have a hard time making money because of competition and now of course Gordon Brown's Greed tax airline passenger duty.
I am not familiar with the workings of the airline industry I offer only my experiences.
Your Experience with Monarch was unfortunate but perhaps everyone had a bad hair day on the day you travelled!! |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Ramou
90 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2007 : 12:18:18
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Toubab1020,
Thanks for your thoughts. I would not accept your long-haul flight excuse for the Monarch crew. Mind you, I was comparing Thomas Cook and Monarch flying the same route, same flight time etc. Why is it all nice and dandy with Thomas Cook and lousy with Monarch? It is just an experience I thought I should share, and since it is my hard-earned Dollars that am spending, I reserve the right to pick and choose which Airline to use in the future, and safe others the headache at the same time.
By the way, I flew Air Canada a number of times between Canada and Europe with no such complaints. And, the flights are even longer - up to 10 hours in the air from Frankfurt!
Thanks!
Ramou |
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Ramou
90 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2007 : 12:46:48
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Toubab1020,
I'll be back with a rejoinder (to address other issues) in the evening. I'm off to work.
Thanks!
Ramou
quote:
Originally posted by Ramou
Toubab1020,
Thanks for your thoughts. I would not accept your long-haul flight excuse for the Monarch crew. Mind you, I was comparing Thomas Cook and Monarch flying the same route, same flight time etc. Why is it all nice and dandy with Thomas Cook and lousy with Monarch? It is just an experience I thought I should share, and since it is my hard-earned Dollars that am spending, I reserve the right to pick and choose which Airline to use in the future, and safe others the headache at the same time.
By the way, I flew Air Canada a number of times between Canada and Europe with no such complaints. And, the flights are even longer - up to 10 hours in the air from Frankfurt!
Thanks!
Ramou
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2007 : 16:09:50
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You must compare like with like. Gambia ISNOT a long haul flight. It is classed as mid haul or something like that.
On a longhaul the staff only do one leg and then rest. Sometimes staff going to Gambia turn round and do the flight back. This avoids the need to have malaria tabs and innoculations plus the expense of an overnight stay. Sometimes one crew is sleeping on the plane taking up seats to get them back to where they need to be for the next morning.
To me the whole job seems to be exhausting and unnatural and I would hate it!
I always try to be nice to the staff, then you seem to get nice service. A smile and thank you go along way!   |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2007 : 16:11:35
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I havent travelled with Thomas cook. i have done the first choice flight from Manchester and I actually prefer the Monarch flight, its a bigger plane, smarter staff and better food.Might try Thomas cook next time!  |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2007 : 19:41:15
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| toubab1020, monarch staff only do the flight one way, then another set of staff take over, so they are only working 6 hours. it is not that hard a job, but the staff can be condescending, you fly with monarch on another route and they are different, before when they coul dstop over they could relax, but because of a certain incident apparently someone was mugged the staff no longer stay over. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2007 : 19:59:23
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| I was told it was due to the issues around long term taking of malaria meds.? |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2007 : 21:06:48
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OK OK I feel like "Sister Omega", here, but it got all the travellers giving their thoughts didnt it!
Mostly from the UK though!
Ramou, await your input after work,you are not cabin crew are you? |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Ramou
90 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2007 : 00:02:18
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But, I was comparing my experience with Monarch vis-a-vis Thomas Cook. Both "apples," Methinks!
You are right in that it is always good to be nice to the staff (to your fellow human beings in general), but when someone greets you with arrogance, one is left with no choice (as in my case) but to be equally nasty. After all, they are NOT doing me a favor! I paid for a service and hence deserve to be treated with dignity!!
quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
You must compare like with like. Gambia ISNOT a long haul flight. It is classed as mid haul or something like that.
On a longhaul the staff only do one leg and then rest. Sometimes staff going to Gambia turn round and do the flight back. This avoids the need to have malaria tabs and innoculations plus the expense of an overnight stay. Sometimes one crew is sleeping on the plane taking up seats to get them back to where they need to be for the next morning.
To me the whole job seems to be exhausting and unnatural and I would hate it!
I always try to be nice to the staff, then you seem to get nice service. A smile and thank you go along way!
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Ramou
90 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2007 : 00:15:48
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Jambo,
My sentiments! I've had a similar experience with Royal Air Maroc (RAM). I flew to Casablanca (from Canada) a few times with RAM, and I must admit that the service was excellent on all occasions and even better than some European airlines. But the flight between Casablanca and Dakar, on the same airline, is always a nightmare! The orderly boarding of the plane (by row number), the quality of the service etc. in Canada seems to be lost as soon as you land in Casablanca. There people rush as if the seats wouldn't be enough
Thanks!
Ramou
quote:
Originally posted by jambo
toubab1020, monarch staff only do the flight one way, then another set of staff take over, so they are only working 6 hours. it is not that hard a job, but the staff can be condescending, you fly with monarch on another route and they are different, before when they coul dstop over they could relax, but because of a certain incident apparently someone was mugged the staff no longer stay over.
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Ramou
90 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2007 : 00:55:09
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Toubab1020,
Ehn, I'm back after a long day in the air. Can you imagine how demanding some travellers can be? One lady showed up at the airport this morning (for a flight to Gambia) with a 30kg suitcase, and feels she shouldn't pay for the excess baggage. Some people really have nerves! However, after talking some sense into her, she finally agreed to pay. But, it didn't stop there; upon boarding the plane, she asked for a bottle of water! Hello!! Do you think that I work for a water utility (was the response in my mind)? If you want bottled water you've got to pay for it was my actual response to her. Does she think that she is the late Mother Theresa of Calcutta?! I just ignored her sorry behind, but eventually she paid up to quench her thirst. Some people.....I don't know what the world has come to?
I don't even want to get into her other requests, but I find one of them quite amusing! she requested headphones so that she can enjoy the onboard entertainment provided by the airline. When I told her that it is not for free, but would cost her two pounds, all hell, literally, broke loose! Her response was "It will be a cold day in hell if you expect me to pay a dime for a "goddamn" headphone." "Buzz off!!" This is just the tip of the iceberg; I have more to narrate about this fellow and other passengers I encountered today, but I am now at home so I'll try and forget about the whole episode. But not for too long as I will be up in the air again tomorrow morning. I hope tomorrow wouldn't be as stressful as my experience today. Such is the life of a flight attendant
Hey, I'm just kidding! I am not a flight attendant... not that I have anything against them. I think they are a decent bunch of folks trying to put food on their dining tables. Some, however, need to learn how to deal with people as their job requires interaction with all kinds of people.
Thanks!
Ramou
quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
OK OK I feel like "Sister Omega", here, but it got all the travellers giving their thoughts didnt it!
Mostly from the UK though!
Ramou, await your input after work,you are not cabin crew are you?
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Edited by - Ramou on 04 May 2007 01:22:42 |
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inez
279 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2007 : 15:28:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Ramou
My sentiments! I've had a similar experience with Royal Air Maroc (RAM). I flew to Casablanca (from Canada) a few times with RAM, and I must admit that the service was excellent on all occasions and even better than some European airlines. But the flight between Casablanca and Dakar, on the same airline, is always a nightmare! The orderly boarding of the plane (by row number), the quality of the service etc. in Canada seems to be lost as soon as you land in Casablanca. There people rush as if the seats wouldn't be enough
Thanks!
Ramou
Have to tell about the best service ever! That was with Egypt Air from Frankfurth to Kairo, I still smile when I think about it...several hot meals to choose from, hot towels, drinks/meals included in ticket price. Friendly smiling stuff, bringing icewater with lemon slices all the time, asking if anything needed..Kairo airport at saturday night 12 oīclock was a bit different experience. they took everybodys passports and through them on a desk, one got it back 30 minutes before the flight..I was swetting there for 3 long hours keeping my eye on that desk with hundreds of passports...continued to Lagos/Nigeria later that night and I think I experienced the same rush after the seats than you Ramou..and guess who was the last one to get into that plane? The only white person...Inez...travelling alone...but the service was still great.
I will never take Air France, they might be worse than former AeroflotOn one trip (to Kenya)with them I have been delayed 2-3 days...on the way out, there was a strake in Paris, which they didnīt inform about on the plane...we had to change terminal and the buss driver told us to get out on wrong terminal...I somehow managed to take a wrong escaletor and ended on closed part of the terminal, and there was no way out,all doors were locked, couldnīt go back down because the thing was going too fast and my suitcase very big. Believe me, I felt like mr Bean, running around and trying to find someone who could let me out from there so I wouldnīt miss my plane..After an hour I got out from my jail when finally noticed by someone passing by..I did not miss the plane...since they moved the departure to next morning..we stayed at hotel and got picked to the airport at five...and sat there until 11...on the way back, 5 weeks later, we arrived to the airport after 1 hours drive in heavy rain and heard that their was some problem with the plane and they had to wait for a sparepart...driving back again and sitting and waiting for a call from the airport..until next evening...finally on the way towards France...where thick fog stopped us from getting down at Charles de Gaulle,so we ended on smaller airport far from Paris...5 on the morning, imigration opened at 8 and those days we had to have a transport visa to move to other airport...nothing was open on that airport, no coffe, nothing to buy..this delayment made us to miss our plane to Sweden and made us to sit there for hours...and guess whos suitcase was still in France when I got to Sweden??? Travelling is very interesting sometimes. And Air France did offer us something for all that trouble...500 swedish krones that we could use next time when we travel with them...hahaaaaawonīt take that risk again.
Please tell about the best/worst you have experienced, nice to hear now when one canīt travel anywhere soon. |
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Ramou
90 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2007 : 02:55:12
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Inez,
Your experience with Egypt Air is similar to mine with Royal Air Maroc (Morocco) for flights between Montreal and Casablanca. But it is a different matter for flights between Casablanca and Dakar. In fact, on one occasion (January 2005), there was no plane for the return journey between Dakar and Casablanca. Apparently, it was the time of the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca) so the planes had to be used to airlift pilgrims, so we were told...at the Airport! Consequently, I had to spend the night at a hotel in Dakar Yoff (Hotel Ngorr Diarama - a good hotel), of course at the expense of the Airline.
Sorry to hear about your rough experience with Air France. I flew Air France last year, for the first time, from Stockholm to Paris and back to Stockholm. It was quite pleasant except that I thought the plane wouldn't make it back to Stockholm due to severe turbulence. The lady sitting beside me started crying, and had to calmed down by the cabin crew. That was a close call!!!!!
I have travelled with at least a dozen Airlines, but by far the best are (and not in any order):
Air Canada, Lufthansa (my first time on a Boeing 747 from Frankfurt to Toronto), SAS (Scandinavian Airlines), Royal Air Maroc (between Canada and Morocco), Thomas Cook Airlines, Air France and British Airways. And in the category of the worst are: Ghana Airways (no longer exists), Nigeria Airways (no longer exists) and Monarch Airlines (no longer exists as far as I'm concerned). I will NOT recommend Slok Air to my enemies!!!
Thanks!
Ramou
quote:
Originally posted by inez
Have to tell about the best service ever! That was with Egypt Air from Frankfurth to Kairo, I still smile when I think about it...several hot meals to choose from, hot towels, drinks/meals included in ticket price. Friendly smiling stuff, bringing icewater with lemon slices all the time, asking if anything needed..Kairo airport at saturday night 12 oīclock was a bit different experience. they took everybodys passports and through them on a desk, one got it back 30 minutes before the flight..I was swetting there for 3 long hours keeping my eye on that desk with hundreds of passports...continued to Lagos/Nigeria later that night and I think I experienced the same rush after the seats than you Ramou..and guess who was the last one to get into that plane? The only white person...Inez...travelling alone...but the service was still great.
I will never take Air France, they might be worse than former Aeroflot
Please tell about the best/worst you have experienced, nice to hear now when one canīt travel anywhere soon.
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