#Article: Traveller Letters: We booked business-class seats, but the plane had none

 WE MEAN BUSINESS

My wife and I recently travelled to Bali with Jetstar and were able to book business-class seats months ahead for the outbound leg but not for the return. Before departure, I noticed that we were listed as being in economy on the return flight. I called Jetstar and they assured me that although the plane had changed to a smaller one, we were listed as being in business class.

We duly presented ourselves at Bali airport for the 10.30pm flight to be presented with a letter beginning “Regrettably we are unable to provide your booked business seat.” The plane had changed to all economy class. The worst part for us was that the airline knew ahead of time and failed to warn us. Compensation is being offered, but the trip was a trial as we are elderly.

Peter Ross, West Ryde, NSW

MIND YOUR MANNERS

I’m sure, like so many of your readers, I read Lee Tulloch’s article about travel manners and etiquette (Traveller, June 3) in total agreement. In my business travelling hey-day, I would be one of “those people”, filled with my own sense of self-importance, self-urgency, and good old Australian entitlement. This mellowed as I got older and I hope that I became more patient, wiser and considerate.

However, the one thing that really resonated with me, and the one true travelling crime that I would like to think that I’ve never been guilty of, is inappropriate dress code. Thongs, shorts, singlets should be banned on flights. It is, at least, utterly unpleasant and, at worse, unhygienic and, I would have thought, dangerous or restricting during an emergency.

The other pet hate – how people use overhead storage lockers. Wheels in first people – gently and neatly. Oh, and while I’m at it, don’t throw your 10-kilo briefcase/bag onto your seat, can you place it down gently, please? Tony Bennett, Broke, NSW

MIND YOUR MANNERS #2

After a recent visit to a major Australian airport, can I add to your list of airport don’ts – don’t abandon your luggage trolley in the middle of the footpath where other people are trying to navigate theirs. Robin Smith, Inverloch, Vic

MIND YOUR MANNERS #3

Regarding manners and photography, once you have taken that iconic shot, stand out of the way. Immediately. Don’t spend two, three or more minutes checking through the photos with your significant other to see if you have the right shot. Others are often waiting to take the same photo without you in the way. This is what I experienced when I wanted to take that iconic shot of Kensington Palace with the statue of Queen Victoria in the foreground. The couple in front would not move. Ian Rosel, Wantirna, Vic

MIND YOUR MANNERS #4

Lee Tulloch’s article implies that travellers should be better behaved, but what if the hotel is at fault? When checking in at a hotel (part of a chain) in Lusaka, the staff at reception alleged that our room had not been paid for and wanted a credit card payment. Fortunately, we had brought all the credit vouchers that our travel agent had armed us with – we had the entire holiday of three weeks prepaid before we left the country. Despite taking photocopies of the relevant vouchers (including transfers to and from the airport), the issue of non-payment was again raised the next morning at check-out. It was only after confirmation of payment by the ground operator that we were allowed to leave. The reality was, the communication between their reservation and reception teams was poor and the result was an inconvenience to us. Susan Chee, Brighton, Vic

LETTER OF THE WEEK: ALL CREDIT

Regarding Michael Gebicki’s column about global flight delay compensations (Traveller, May 17), I can counter with the way Italian rail operator Trenitalia provided two refunds on our recent travels. For the first, requested via their portal, the compensation was credited within 24 hours. The second, more complicated request, was dealt with well within their 30 days agreement and meeting their very clear obligations. It’s just another reason to travel via train when in Europe. David Lewis, Gladesville, NSW

WELCOME TO COUNTRY

It was grand to see Tess Atie of Northern Territory Indigenous Tours mentioned in your article (Traveller, May 27). My friends and I had the pleasure of meeting Tess in Litchfield National Park during April while on a private tour of the area. I wish we had known about this tour because she was so interesting and informative and has a wicked sense of humour. I would encourage tourists to seek out this wonderful person – it would be more than worthwhile  Sally Wroe, Castle Hill, NSW

WELCOME TO COUNTRY, AGAIN

Many friends visiting from overseas are interested in finding out more about First Nations peoples and their communities. Showing them Bangarra Dance, exhibitions and artefacts in Sydney has been appreciated, but how much more rewarding would it be to have a 10-day immersive experience in the real Australia. Judith Rostron, Killarney Heights, NSW

GONE TO GREECE

How different was my experience to (Traveller Letters, May 27) Lissanne Oliver’s costly problems retrieving her earphones left behind on a Virgin flight. A couple of years ago I left my mini iPad on a Qatar flight to Rome, and contacted their office there. They quickly came back to me, advised it had been found and asked where in the world I would like to pick it up. I nominated Athens, the next airport on our trip, and it was there as promised – at no cost. So, Lissanne has lost confidence in Virgin, while I’ve found excellent service in Qatar..Frank Johnson, Peakhurst, NSW

SNACK PACKS

Ben Groundwater’s article on travelling with children was spot on (Traveller, May 27), especially about the amount of food needed. On one trip with my then four-year-old, where the request for snacks started in the taxi to the airport, just two minutes after leaving home, continued throughout the taxi ride and then in the check-in and security queues, I had to restock at the airport! Lesson learned. Jill Disint, Williamstown, Vic

CHOICES, CHOICES

I generally love reading people’s letters but the May 27 rants were too much. We should be extremely grateful that we can travel when others (maybe even our neighbours) have trouble putting food on the table for their family. Let’s get over the complaints about the food, the cancelled fights, the delayed bags. Just be grateful we have the choice.

Source from The Sydney Morning Herald