AIRLINE FRAUD

Two days ago, I posted this article, (something about stolen goods from checked in luggage in some airlines in Nigeria arik air to be precise). That was my personal experience, along with a few other people's. Today I want to share my husband's experience, which until now, I didn't know happened to my father and brother on their way to my wedding. My brother brushed that experience aside thinking it was a trick until he heard what happened to my hubby. 

MY HUBBY'S EXPERIENCE:

On his way to the east from Abuja, he decided to take a flight (aero contractors) to Owerri (the closest town to the village). He got to the airport a few minutes before take off, and was told by the lady at the check-in counter that he had already missed his flight. He immediately decided to buy another ticket to travel, while he paid the necessary charges to postpone/re-route the already missed flight. Since the current flight he missed probably didn't have another one for that morning, he decided to buy the air ticket from a different airline, or travel to another close location by the same airline. As he approached the second airline (arik air), some workers from the first one (aero) told him to buy a ticket from them. They said there was now an available flight leaving in an hour to Owerri. He bought the ticket (of course at a higher price with the help of the boys from the same lady that told him he missed his flight). At this point he was beginning to suspect foul play. He was given his boarding pass, rushed through the checking in point with the idea that the plane was about to take off. When he got to the final check-in/scanning point, he asked the man there about the time of take off. He was told 1 hour. He then decided to compare his receipt of the old flight with his boarding pass and realized that it was for the same exact plane that he had been told he missed. All hell broke loose. (My hubby is the calm type, so if something made him loose it, enough for him to say "he raised dust in the airport"; then it can't be good).

The man immediately denied any form of association with the guys he procured the ticket from. They insisted that he won't be allowed into the flight for patronizing touts. When they saw that he wasn't going to relent, somehow, they "knew" the boys and collected his money. When he presented the boarding pass they gave him, the airline people decided to tell him that it was a fake. Understand this please! in other words, we now have "agberos" (touts) in the Nigerian airports. I was shocked, pissed and fuming when he narrated his experience. It brought up the bitter bile I forced myself to swallow after my experience. I just couldn't bring myself around to swallowing it again, hence this out-pour.

The gist about the last blog post came up in the family and that is how I got to hear of my brother's experience. Almost the same scenario, a few minutes to take off and he is told that he has missed his flight. This time it was arik air. (I wonder why it is only arik air that flies the Benin - Abuja route. He told the officer in charge that it wasn't possible and an argument ensued. The check-in counter officer asked him if he hadn't received the sms that was sent a day prior, informing them that the flight has been moved forward. My brother went back to ask my dad if he received any such sms. They looked through his recent messages and saw nothing. He went back to the counter and told them that there was no receipt of such an sms. The guy simply said sorry but you have missed your flight. My brother, (calm as usual) said to him, "go over there and tell my dad that he has missed his flight because he didn't get your sms". The young man look around my brother at my dad, look back at my brother and said "hurry! the flight would soon take off". Now can you believe that? That a flight is on ground and we are constantly been told that it has taken off, just because we can't see the tarmac to confirm for ourselves.

Our airports are now a den of liars, thieves and fraudulent persons. The airline staff and operators are no different. Why should the excuse for the fact that my wristwatch that was stolen from inside my checked-in luggage be that I should have carried my valuables on my person. The last time, I asked you who determines what is valuable or not to me? I didn't get your response to that, so I say this (especially to the airlines and its managers);

• If I decide to carry a bag of stones because I need it at my final destination for something important, does it not become valuable?
• Are valuables only things of high monetary value?
• On my way back from Seychelles, I carried with me some shells I got at the beach to decorate my home with. In terms of monetary value, those shells were expensive in Seychelles. Now, if it was stolen, have you not stolen something valuable to me? In case you don't know, you have stolen my time and energy and of course money, for I may decide to make something with it and sell at a profit.
• What if I carry a roll of tissue with me, I get off the plane and I'm on my way home and my stomach decides to act up, the only place close by doesn't have tissue to spare. I remember that I carried one with me and I run to get and it's missing. Does that bit of paper not become valuable? You have just stolen my dignity and respect.
• How about I have a Dolce and Gabanna suit worth $6000, It's an outfit right? (does outfit fall under the non-valuables?) Anyway, I put it in my luggage and it is stolen! What does that amount to?

The problem I have realized, with a sad heart is the fact that many of us Nigerians are too complacent. We give up too early even before thinking to do anything about the situation. A lot of these people continue doing the wrong thing, and sadly, most of the time, they get away with it. Yes! we live in a corrupt society. Yes! our leaders (no matter the position they hold, are usually oppressors). This doesn't mean we can't rise up together and take a stand for the right thing. Think about it.

Cheers.....

BEWARE: PERSONAL GOODS STOLEN FROM ARIK AIR

When I was writing this article, I hinted that I had another story brewing. Remember the one about my wristwatch stolen from an aircraft I boarded? I have held my peace until now, more than two months later, in hope that everything would be resolved amicably. However, the last correspondence from the said airline somehow, made me loose all patience. Still, I had planned to let it go until my husband's experience, the last time he flew. I realized that it would keep happening unless something urgent is done about it. So, here it goes. Below are emails exchanged between the airline's customer care service and myself. (I had to download a screen capture app so it won't be said that I added "jara" or remove from the mails).

Growing up, I was thought in school that air travel was the fastest and safest means of travel. This has been the case until recent events began to make be doubt the authenticity of that statement. Yes, it might still be the fastest, but I'm seriously doubting the safety aspect. Definitely not with the amount of plane crashes occurring in Nigeria and the world at large, and most definitely, not with the level of theft and fraud occurring with most airlines. This post will give you an insight to what I mean.

MY EXPERIENCE:

I was travelling to Abuja on the 25th of July from Benin. There is usually only one flight between the two cities since the renovation of the airports started about 2 years ago. That fateful day, the flight was for 2:50pm. It rained cats and dogs that day. (It almost never stops raining in Benin city). Already, I was psyching myself because I knew the flight would be delayed. 2:50pm turned to 4 and then 5pm, the flight showed up. During this long wait, there wasn't 'a 2 second' explanation or apology even though most of us already anticipated the delay. The plane finally arrives and it's the size of a luxurious bus. (I sighed but didn't say anything. Afterall, what really can I do?) I had 2 boxes, 1, I already checked it, the other I kept with me as hand luggage. As we were about to board the flight, some of the crew members asked for our hand luggage. Their explanation was that it wouldn't fit into the overhead locker of the tiny plane. I submitted it to them. They asked if I have a laptop in it and I said no.

I finally got to Abuja, and have to endure the long wait to retrieve my bags. At this point I was tired and famished. (For goodness sake, I missed my lunch!). I get home and I'm about to collect a change of clothing, the first thing I notice is that the zipper isn't where I normally keep it. (I know, I know, I have a bit of OCD - obsessive compulsive disorder). I tried to overlook that tiny detail as I unzip my box. I opened it and next thing I see is my wristwatch case open wit no wristwatch or its holder within. My husband suggested that maybe I forgot it in Benin and that I should call my sister to check the house and confirm. I already knew it was stolen, because I was sure I packed it. I called my sister and really, my watch had been stolen. from inside my checked in luggage! WOW!! AMAZING!!! Wonders never end in Nigeria.

The next day, I report to the arik office to report, and the lady blamed it on the sahcol group. These are the people that handle the luggage into airport I was told. She went further to tell me how her bosses' phone was also stolen from their aircraft. She finally told me to meet the duty manager on the day I'm going back. On the day of my return, I didn't met the duty manager, (he was at the tarmac). Instead, I was directed to meet the airport security. (That guy should NOT work at the airport, not to mention the security department). His replies were so inconsistent, and he was extremely rude!

First, he tells me that I'm reporting late that it had already been a week. To this, I replied that I already went to the arik office in town and relayed her response to him. (Did I mention that the airport is almost 1 hour drive from town?). He told me that her response was to get me off her back. Meaning, the airline has preformed lies for its clients, I guess? Secondly, he tells me that I should have reported on my arrival date. I replied that I got into town at past 6 pm, got to my house at 8pm and definitely could drive back to the airport that night. He then said, I should have opened my luggage to check before leaving the airport. I replied "who does that?" He was busy saying that was the practice abroad. I laughed and said  I just travelled last month, I don't think I did that. Next thing I know, he's yelling and saying I should go ahead and make noise about it if I want.  He said infact, I should go and file a formal complaint to the airline. I told him at that point, that he was the one perpetuating the theft going on in the airport if he can't bring anyone to book.

As I walked away, I wondered if this guy know the kind of trouble he might be causing for his employers. (As far as I concerned, without the airlines, the airport doesn't work and then, he'll have no job). What if I was #lindaikeji or #japhethomojuwa? What if my parents were some top politicians?

I told some friends about and many of them had had the same experience or knew someone who had. They told me to forget about it, mostly because they felt nothing would be done about it. The last correspondence with the airline customer care told me that as part of their terms and conditions, I shouldn't have put my valuables in my checked in luggage. Hmmmmm..... My question now is; "Who determines what is valuable to me?"

To be continued........

FLYING: ALWAYS AN ORDEAL

Last week Friday, I went to Lagos for a friend's wedding. It was by air, partly because it's the fastest means of travel. (As we were all taught in elementary school). And partly because it was a free ticket. Couldn't let it go to waste. Anyway, I needed to pop in and out fast and accomplish some other stuff in between. They also say it's the safest. (Haven't gotten around to totally agreeing with that yet, cause flying scares the living day light out of me). Seriously!!

Something else flying does to me is that, it totally grounds me. It's just amazing to me how a huge metal carrying loads of people and luggage, takes off, is suspended in air at thousands of feet for long hours and lands elsewhere. It definitely defies the law of gravity. (Yea, I know the process of how a plane manages to do all that has been explained many times. It's still amazing to me). Another amazing aspect to it, is when you see the wonders of the works of God all around you. The seas, clouds, rainforest, desert e.t.c. Amazing right? You just have to believe there is a God.

Now to my phobias;

• I hate small planes. They call it jets here, I don't know what to call it. Unfortunately for me, last week, I travelled in one of those. To and fro. The return journey was worse.
• I hate the take-off and landing periods. The take-off makes me feel like I'm going to get throw to the back of the plane. The landing jars my teeth and entire body.
• I absolutely hate being seated at the back seat. I call it the booth. With small planes, even at seat 10, you are already in the booth.
• I hate those semi-drops it makes especially soon after take-off and just before landing. It makes me feel like my brain dropped to my chest and my heart just had to move lower to my stomach.
• When the planes are almost empty, I think it's worse. (I don't know how please don't ask).
• With the small planes, those with visible propellers, you feel very single move the plane makes. On my return journey, I was seated at a window seat, near the wing and propellers. As I looked on. sometimes, it looked like the propeller slowed down. I prayed until we landed and my feet touched the ground.

I had a experience once that made me almost swear off flying. That was back in 2011. I was flying from Abuja to Benin, feeling like a big chic. The flight got delayed by 3 hours (technical issues, they said). The terrifying aspect was just immediately after take-off. Within a few minutes of take-off, we felt the first drop. It was a huge one. Some people in the flight yelled, others gasped. In the very next nanosecond (not exaggerating), a second, even larger drop. This time everyone yelled. I thought we were crashing. I started praying. A 45 minute- 1 hour flight was done in 30 minutes. Surprising the landing was smooth. When we touched down, the whole passengers poured into the aisle and started bowing down and thanking God. obviously, I wasn't alone in thinking we were going to crash. Looking back now, it's funny. *LOL*.

Kudos to the pilots that flew me this last time. It wasn't their fault the plane was small. If you enjoy flying, more grease to your elbows. Maybe someday, I'll do too.

Cheers......

ANOTHER PLANE CRASHES IN NIGERIA

I am not one to write about latest news or gossip and that is definitely not the purpose of this post. I have decided to say something about this because it has upset me so much. Just less than 48 hours after I blogged about a reflection on Nigeria - basically not understanding the reason why the government would spend so much money celebrating when the country still had countless number of problems to solve, I received a text about a crash that happened in Lagos. That was this morning and I was at work. Moments later, another text came in saying no Nigerian TV channels were carrying the news meanwhile the international networks were buzzing with it.

A couple years back I decided to fly from Abuja to Benin, first the flight was delayed by 3 hours, then when we finally got on the plane and took off, oh my God! I actually thought I'd die that day. I can't even begin to describe what happened that day in writing but picture this; upon landing a 5 year old child came into the middle aisle, fell on his knees, bow down and was thank God profusely for a safe journey and guess what someone who left Abuja that same morning by road got to Benin before me. I decided to stick to the road unless I have no choice.

This is my problem now, first of all the people cried out about the nature of bad roads in the country and they fell on deaf ears, afterall, the big shots were using air transport and it was relatively safer and faster. Contracts were given out to individuals and companies who ended up taking majority of the funds and low quality materials were used for the roads, roads were not done fast enough, other times, the roads were getting bad even as construction went on. 

Then it began to happen, initially years apart and then a little more frequent. The disasters that have befallen road travellers for years suddenly decided to take to the skies. There had been many airplane crash prior to 2002 but I probably wasn't paying much attention because somehow I can't seem to recall them as vividly as I recall the ones that have shaken the country since 2002 and they are as follows;

• May 4, 2002 (Kano) EAS airlines - 148 dead
• October 22, 2005 (Lagos) Bellview airlines - 117 killed
• December 10, 2005 (Port-Harcourt) Sosoliso Airlines - 103 killed (school children coming home for Christmas holidays)
• September 17,2006 Airforce plane - 15 dead

There seemed to be a breather for about 6 years after the 2006 incident because the government decided to look into the aviation sector a little bit more, looked like their comfort was being threatened. This led to the advent of airlines like Arik and Aero contractors to name a few. People felt safe again, more people decided to start using air transport as the road were now unbearable and even if you got to your destination safely by road, you were bound to take some pain relief medicines for some days. Then came the reminder that much more had to be done in the aviation sector. 5 crashes in 1 year, as if to say they were making up for the last six crash-free years. It started on;

• March 14,2012 (Jos) - helicopter crash - 4 dead
• June 2, 2012 (Ghana) cargo plane - 10 dead
• June 3, 2012 (Lagos) Dana airlines - 153 (including residents of the crash site) dead
• October 25, 2012 (Yola) Cessna aircraft - narrow escape
• December 15, 2010 (Bayelsa) helicopter crash - 2 dead

Now 10 months later there is another crash today, this time with Associated airlines and almost 20 feared dead so far. My questions?

• When will Nigerians as a nation become responsible for their actions?
• When will the government rise above taking little bribes to spare the lives of its citizens?

I wonder. Remember as you make your bed so shall you lie on it. If you think buying your own private jets will help, think again because there is bound to be some error due to corruption you refused to checkmate at the onset.