March 24, 2006

Airline Blues

I woke up today still thinking of the humid summer heat of Manila only to find out that I am back here in Istanbul. Looking out, the sky is very cloudy. The sun refuses to shine and the remnants of winter's grip is still trying to hold on as spring tries to break through.

Our flight back was alright except for some issues with Singapore airlines who produced our baggage totally ripped-off from the top. The odd thing is, they can't seem to give us a concrete reason what happened to our luggage, who did the damage, and from which airport did it happen. We started our journey in Manila going to Singapore, then Dubai and finally arriving in Istanbul. They made a report and offered to pick up our bag in our flat to initiate an investigation and a replacement if necessary. I'm still not happy. I wasn't happy with the whole flight from the moment I checked in online.

Normally, I check in online so I can choose the seat assignment that I want. Being in economy class is not a walk in the park for my husband who feels uncomfortable with the small leg room and this adds up to his anxiousness and fear of flying. Our ticket did not allow us to upgrade to Business class and required us to buy a new set of tickets to fly BC. My only hope was to be assigned in the aisle seat in front- the 31st or the next available front row of the plane. Imagine my frustration when SQ automatically assigned the seats and put us back in almost the last few rows of the plane. I was able to change the seat assignment but the first row was blocked already.

Checking in at the airport was our only hope. Normally if there are no babies on board or priority passengers, they would allow this kind of request. The Manila to Singapore flight, we were able to get the seats the last minute. The ground crew explained that they couldn't change our seats for the Singapore Dubai route and asked us to double check with SQ when we arrive in Singapore.

Arriving in Changi Airport, we proceeded to the Transfer Desk and checked with them. To our dismay, they said the flight is already full and they couldn't change our seat assignments which was in the rear part of the plane. So off we went through the 10 hour flight all the way to Istanbul in our assigned seats on

Posted by duke at 3/24/2006 09:52:00 AM

29 Comments:

Rey said...: It's really unfortunate to have this kind of experience while travelling. Of course, the bright side is you got home well and though norturing a jetlag, still safe and sound.

But good for you that you had a great vacation. I myself had been planning the trip home for two years now but just cannot have the time and the wife is nagging me to. But i will do it one of these days... or months... or year.; 3/24/2006 10:55:00 AM
yuri said...: D! not that im promoting my airline but next time why don't u try QR? the airport is a mess but i assure u flt comfortabililty. naks! hahahahah. sayang im going to manila by the end of this month.. tsk tsk!; 3/24/2006 11:37:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Boo about the luggage! It's funny because I've always thought that SQ was a very reliable and passenger-friendly airline. Probably it was just the timing? Anyway, can't wait for stories of your Manila trip! How is it back home?

-Kala; 3/24/2006 12:31:00 PM
grace said...: Welcome back Dukessa! Heard Bea's preggy! wow what a news! i'm sooo happy for her :)

I've always travelled SQ and so far so good but they have to address their fault i dont think an explanation is enough ... as they say: SHIT happens

Still you did enjoy your Mla vacation! YAHOO!

It's Bianca's bday today ... 2 years old na! super bilis ng panahon! we're having her celebration with friends here in the hotel tomorrow ... hope everything will turn out fine coz as of now she's down with fever ... kaya super rest muna kami today ...

nice to know you're back!; 3/24/2006 12:38:00 PM
grace said...: by the way would love to see photos! :); 3/24/2006 12:39:00 PM
Anonymous said...: I think when you're travelling by air, there will always be either a "not so bad" or a "horrible" experience. Most of the time, it is associated with the delays, seats problems. It's always unusual to make it through an entire journey without something going wrong - and you know some airline employees (Sorry Yuri, hahaha)can frustrate the hell out of you, so maybe we just give them a small break. Imagine the workload if you're working in the Airport? Air travel is just so stressful kahit HKG-MNL (less than 2 hrs)is a nerve wracking experience.

Sorry to hear that your luggage was badly damaged. But despite of, YOU GUYS ARE SAFE!

Grace and I wants to see the pictures. Nag Bora ba kayo? So good to hear from you again.; 3/24/2006 01:27:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey Duke, sorry to hear about the broken luggage. I would created a fuss at the airport! Kaloka!

Anyway, I am glad you got back to Istanbul safe and sound!; 3/24/2006 01:31:00 PM
La Niña said...: I'm happy you guys got home safely.

It's so hot and humid here in Manila.... time to hit the beach again! :); 3/24/2006 01:40:00 PM
duke said...: Arki Rey The last thing you want when travelling for so long is a damaged luggage. True. I'm just looking at the brighter side, thinking I had a good time back home visiting familya nd friends and got back here safe.

Listen to your wife! Go find time to visit the Philippines again. I'm sure you will have a grand time :D; 3/24/2006 03:01:00 PM
duke said...: Yuri you know what, I've never flown QR but i'v ebeen hearing good raves about the airline from friends. I was in manila and saw an ad in the newspaper for QR's RT airfare MNL-IST. Not bad at all. Told my friends about it and some are planning to take it when they visit me here ;)

sayang nga! when you happen to pass by IST tell me and let's have Turkish coffee!

Kala I always had high regard for SQ esp their food--> yummy airline food. I guess bad timing lang talaga.

Manila is stil the same. I couldn't help but drag husband to UP at least once! lol; 3/24/2006 03:06:00 PM
duke said...: Gracei Yea.. B's pregnant. I heard as well!

Wow! Bianca's birthday is the same as my mom's! I hope she gets well soon. Time flies so fast. She's turned 2 years old now.

Vacation was a blast. Lots of partying and eating and drinking. I didn't take lots of pic coz most of the time we were too drunk or just plain lazy. Will still post some though :D; 3/24/2006 03:08:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Well sorry about that duke.
@kwe crew are the last people pax see after a bad experience at the airport. all their their frusttrations, anger, spits and physical abuse we all welcome with open arms. hahaha.. imagine travelling with an irrate pax for 14hrs.. that's gonna get the crap outta u. D, if u were my pax, EY, JC or FC.. i'll treat u like a queen with rose petals showering u whereever u go. that goes to u too K love yah mwah! *wink*; 3/24/2006 03:14:00 PM
duke said...: K SQ picked up our luggage today from our flat. Ok lang. I think they are going to replace it naman or give us monetary compensation for it.

We didn't go to Bora. We went surfing in La Union though. Most of the time we were in manila with family and friends.
Pics to follow! promise :D miss yah fwend!

Alma My husband's reaction was classic when he found the bag with an SQ representative.He thought the guy took our bag as his. The thing is , the guy didn't speak a word of English and couldn't explain what happened.

Buti na lang another girl approached us and explained the situation.

Nins Thanks for all the good times back there. We definitely had a blast. From our ziggurat to our embassy nites and la union!

see yah soon; 3/24/2006 03:15:00 PM
Anonymous said...: oo nga... mag turkish coffe tayo and shisha (sp?) mag ala ruffa tayo D ha.. halatang miss kita no? hahahaha dami kong comment hahahaha; 3/24/2006 03:17:00 PM
duke said...: yuri oo ba! shisha pipe anytime. anong flavor gusto mo? :D; 3/24/2006 03:30:00 PM
tintin said...: Welcome back Duke! I'm glad you had a great time back home. Can't wait to hear more stories!; 3/24/2006 06:18:00 PM
Jeruen said...: Uy! Welcome back Duke! Apart from the luggage issue, mukhang nag-enjoy ka naman sa bakasyon, which is good to hear. Pa-surfing-surfing pa sa la Union... Buti ka pa (I'm not a sea person, I'd rather go rock-climbing, but then, to each his own.).

Naku, sana huwag mangyari sa akin ang nangyari sa luggage mo. I'm travelling in a month and a half. Destination: Prague. I'm riding Swiss International and I haven't flown with them before so I don't know what to expect.

Hindi ko alam kung ako lang ito, but I don't really feel hassled and stressed when I am travelling. Before I travel, yes, but during the travel, no. Siguro, nasanay na...

Again, welcome back.

LIW; 3/25/2006 01:14:00 AM
dreaming-neko said...: hey! your back! cheers! :); 3/25/2006 02:23:00 AM
JoobJoo said...: Too bad about the bags. At least they did not loose it like my friend's bag. Ang hectic kaya antayin yung mga sasabihin nila sa iyo lalo na pagnawala dito sa LA airport. Ay naku.; 3/25/2006 04:39:00 AM
Anonymous said...: the important thing is you are safe.. bad things do happen. it's a good thing you enjoyed your vacation. at least there is something to be happy about despite the 'bag incident'.; 3/25/2006 08:50:00 AM
Gayzha said...: hi duke, good to know ur back! as everyone is saying, there is always some sort of drama in air travel. we had some bad experience with PAL last December. i really don't mind at all, kaya lang there are more pressures when you are with someone especially if not pinoy.

anyway, the blogworld is happier when ur here :); 3/25/2006 10:33:00 AM
duke said...: tintin allo! I was reading your blog and you cut your hair! nice :D

LIW Kamusta? You're going to Prague?! I recently watched Hostel. Buti na lang divided na and Czech Rep and Slovakia. That movie scared me to wits esp the part on Bratislava.

I guess you will visit your family there. Have a safe trip. Buti ka pa you are cool with flights. I envy you!

Neko hugs to you! aloha!

Meliza A fiend of ours had a similar situaion. His luggage got lost in transit and it took the airlines forever to locate it.
In the Philippines, I read an article about a Pinoy who was filing a case against an airline co. who lost his baggage during his trip. Apparently , he ended up giving a public speech in jeans and tshirt since the airline didn't give him any compensation for the time he lost his luggage. oh well...

hey bingskee! so true. Now I am just glad we came back safe.

Jace hello dear! It's nice to be back. How's the sorting out of things?
Ahh I perfectly understand what you mean.
Hope all is well with you. :D; 3/25/2006 11:22:00 AM
Charlie said...: hi duke, interesting posts! i'm bloghopping and just checking your blogsite. Keep the blogs rolling!; 3/25/2006 04:53:00 PM
Anonymous said...: welcome back princess D
sometimes a great holiday can be marred with a bad ending

the one with the doctor is vs KLM the only bad thing about it the court asked KLM to pay 200,000euro

not kidding... we filipinos have become a kind of joke in holland after that ruling TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND EURO

bumalik ang lamig day; 3/25/2006 04:54:00 PM
Anonymous said...: did you know that it also happened to corina sanchez's luggage? and to think LV pa naman. i believe, the airline replaced it.

i heard that it is not practical to travel with signature luggages unless you handcarry it or you're taking a private plane. ngek!

if you didn't lose anything then it may have been a mishandle. nevertheless, you still deserve a replacement.; 3/26/2006 03:10:00 AM
Jeruen said...: Duke,

Yes, I am visiting my parents. Haven't seen them for a year now. I'm so excited.

Ano ba yan? Binabasa ko lang ang review ng Hostel, pati ako kinilabutan. Horror movies ain't my cup-o-tea.

By the way, yes, QR has an amazing product. They give candies to alleviate the ear tingling during take-off, nice personal packs, and ito ang matindi: When I flew Manila-Doha-Vienna last year, medyo malaki ang lay-over time sa DOH. So the airline gave us sponsorship for a 24-hour visa, gave us a room in an "inn" (but it was a hotel, not just an inn), with free hatid-sundo from the airport, and the FOOD! Grabe! Eat-all-you-can, and West Asian cuisine to the max. And yes, everything was given to us with no extra charge.

LIW; 3/26/2006 04:27:00 AM
La Niña said...: In the U.S., they've mishandled 6 of out every 1000 bags... so medyo the odds are higher than winning the lotto no?; 3/26/2006 10:07:00 AM
DanieL said...: i had no problems with SQ eversince. what happened to you is so unfortunate for an airline who has a reputation of superb facilities and their impeccable service to their customers. i hope that they get to make it up to you guys for the things that happened during your flight.

then again, it's nice to know that you're back in turkey and blogging again.; 3/29/2006 02:51:00 PM
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Confessions of an Expat's Wife

March 24, 2006

Airline Blues

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