Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
China: Flight delays result in rampage at airport
3 China Southern Airline flights were delayed because of bad weather conditions and the closure of one of the local destinations due to runway repairs. Result: 170 passengers were left at the airport in Kunming (southwest China) and landed up breaking desks and smashing computers in a state of outrage and frustration.Beyond these facts, the story is a little blurry.
The airline denies they mistreated their passengers, they state that there were enough staff at the airport looking after them, and that 100 of their customers stayed in the hotel they were offered. Also, they have agreed to compensate each passenger with 100 Yuan (approx. $14). However, other media reports say that most passengers went to look for hotels with vacancies for the night without much luck, and they landed up sleeping on the aircraft or in the departure hall; no food was offered and not enough airline staff were around to fix the situation.
The situation was delicate and naturally volatile, but at the same time not an unfamiliar one. As for what happened at the airport, it's the airline's word against the passenger's -- two completely different perspectives -- so what actually happened will only be clear to those who were there. It's amazing how personal perceptions of a situation can be so relative, depending which side you are on.
Anyway, I think what's important is that after 17 hours of waiting, all passengers were put on other flights to their respective destinations, as well as compensated (although miserably). However, many passengers still want a public apology printed in the newspaper. Sigh. What does it take for people to just let things go once they are fixed!
Filed under: Asia, China, Airlines, Airports, News, Consumer Activism
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
SU Jul 29th 2008 2:55PM
They won't even allow bottled water to be taken on plane, so if stranded you at least have some water......I say always put some snacks in you purse...I really despise flying these days
JP Jul 30th 2008 2:57AM
Incorrect. Bottled water purchased *outside* of the airport is not allowed. It will be confiscated at security. If you want it, you must purchase it from a vendor within the terminal gate area.
Eric1 Jul 30th 2008 10:39PM
The blogger evidently didn't get a chance to read some of the eye-witness accounts of what went on during this whole fiasco. One disgruntled American passenger who had a verbal altercation with Airline staff was reported to have been witnessed telling the gate agents that "......this whole situation looks like a 'Chinese Firedrill.'" Evidently, it made no impact on the gate agents as "Like a Chinese firedrill" doesn't quite have the same connotation as it does here in the States. ;-)
Bettina Jul 29th 2008 3:08PM
I used to work proudly for a major airline. My Father was a Captain for over 30 years. My younger sister also worked for them.
Most often I would believe an airlines comments on problems that would take place with passengers.
How ever, in the last few years, airline service and spin has gone to the bottom.
What in the heck has happened to most airlines. The word service and pride have gone down the tubes.
I would believe a passenger any day now over the lies one gets from most major airlines.
While I do share a kindred spirit with airline personnel, they KNOW their airline is NOT handling anything morally right, from the CEO to the bottom
And China airlines, are terrible. If there is any airline that can make the majors in the USA still look better, it is any airline in China or Russia, BUT that is still not saying much.
paul Jul 29th 2008 4:47PM
You wonder why airline employees are not treating passengers "nicely", it`s because they have seen everything they have worked for over 25 years gone to hell, they have lost their pension, forced to take pay cuts, while their ceo`s are raking in millions, yet they are expected to smile and have a nice attitude, think about that the next time some airline employee are not "nice" to you.
retired 777 capt Jul 29th 2008 5:41PM
SEE HOW UNCIVILIZED THESE ASIAN COUNTRIES ARE? ANYBODY REMEMBER BACK TO THE MID 80'S? CONTINENTAL AIRLINES HAD STATE POLICE AT THEIR TERMINALS 24/7 IN NEWARK. RIOTS WERE A COMMON EVERY DAY OCCURANCE.
PAUL HAD IT EXACTLY RIGHT....PENSIONS FOR AIRLINE PILOTS WORTH 1.2 TO 2.4 MILLION DOLLARS WERE UNCEREMONIOUSLY ELIMINATED. LOWER WAGES, REDUCED BENEFITS..... SIGN ME OFF AS AN 11 YEAR EARLY RETIREE. I DON'T WORK FOR FREE....SO ENJOY YOUR 400 HOUR NON-EXPERIENCED PILOT.
Donna Jul 29th 2008 5:53PM
It is not just the airline industry, Bettina. It is everywhere you look. People do not take pride in a job well done, nor is there any respect for others. You see it in how people drive, as well. It is the "Me" generation. These people agree that they should be 1st, and if they want something, it should be theirs. Again, it all goes back to respect. There is no respect.
Ed Jul 30th 2008 9:41PM
It's all about greed, corruption, and making money now. Service is a thing of the past with any corporation that controls vital infrastructure like travel or energy. They simply don't care, because they control a product that you need.
eugene Jul 30th 2008 3:06AM
retired:
"SEE HOW UNCIVILIZED THESE ASIAN COUNTRIES ARE?"
Nope, all I see is another racist american mouthing off and making gross accusations about a continent worth of people based on the actions of less then a plane full of people.
Kathy Jul 29th 2008 3:06PM
Sigh. It sounds like young blogger with no experience wrote this piece, probably for free... being delayed for 17 hours and probably being told nothing, not fed, not housed, nobody knows when it will end, or how. Just like people being kept on a plane for hours on end, without any real idea what's going on, or when they'll get off or take off, which has also happened. This young lady commented on another story in much the same way, sigh... her basic take is this is so silly, getting upset, sigh :(
Susan Jul 29th 2008 3:07PM
Interesting...if this were black people who had done this, this messageboard would be full of racism about black people! Wow.
Paulanthonygomez Jul 29th 2008 6:53PM
Yeah, your right! It also wouldn't have been a shocker.
rob Jul 29th 2008 7:19PM
I could see the headlines now.... Monkeys attack airport!!!
Erin Jul 29th 2008 8:16PM
I am sick to death of people using the race card every chance they get. This is not about race. This is about people getting screwed by an airline which is an everyday occurance and by the way, race was not mentioned once in the blog. So get off of the race crap. It just shows how racist you are.
arloxix Jul 29th 2008 3:09PM
see if i fly china southern again.....ha
Kathy Jul 29th 2008 3:10PM
Sigh. What does it take to have a little compassion for people who probably haven't been given the time of day, much less a room, food, or and etd? At least you shouldn't sound bored by their situation like this writer, who sounds like a young blogger without much experience or feeling... P.S. I clicked on her name and got her other blog, much the same. I know aol probably doesn't pay much to these quasi reporters / bloggers, but who needs them?
fred Jul 29th 2008 3:13PM
Having been stranded at Hartsfield several times, I can understand their frustration. However, causing damage? Your stranded, although safe and reletively comfortable. Try having a broken vehicle leaving you on I95, in a swamp during aligator mating season. It was a long evening.
Jamar Jul 30th 2008 10:14PM
This story is about China. Having been to both, I can safely say that Hartsfield>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Kunming. Comfortable is not a given, and possibly not even safe.
Kathy Jul 29th 2008 3:13PM
Sigh. What does it take to have a little compassion for people who probably haven't been given the time of day, much less a room, food, or an ETD? At least you shouldn't sound bored by their situation
like this writer, who sounds like a young blogger without much experience... P.S. I clicked on her name and got her other
blog, the same bored attitude. AOL probably doesn't pay much to these quasi reporters but I'd prefer just the facts, spare me the drama.
lovingwater Jul 29th 2008 3:19PM
Good for them. Air travel sucks nowadays and isn't worth the price.