People will lose interest. Airlines and crew will forget. But the nightmare will continue.
Designated time at court was 8 AM. I was there by 7:45 AM. The azakari at court let us in only at 9.
The whole lobby was packed with people. One keeps trying to avoid looking anyone in the eye. Avoiding curiosity. Avoiding the expectations by people to make it interesting for them to do their jobs, if you know what I mean. Avoiding the inevitable questions, and the unsolicited advises.
One is lucky to be allowed a space in the courtroom, on a day like this seating space is reserved for either the lawyers or the elite. I felt for the pregnant women and elderly. Not enough space to look at your wrist-watch, so no indication how many hours we stood. Anyways, all of us accused criminals patiently waited for our faces to be seen in the court. Names kept being called. A steady stream of people going in, getting their next dates, and walking out. We kept being pushed around to make way for people who were behind us in the crowd.
I was allowed a seat by noon. it's worse inside than outside, since you are cramped on wooden seats in silly postures, making way for double the number of accused than the benches are meant for. KQ economy seats are better I thought ruefully! I was called at about 3:45 PM. Charges were read . Refusal to follow instructions of airport commander or designated crew to switch off mobile. Not accept. Next date. Cash Bail. I was led into the cells. I waited there until my bail receipt appeared.
Interesting to note that once KQ has reported you, their job is over. Case goes to JKIA then to police. Public prosecutor presents their story. Not surprised, it is more convenient for FAs to preempt a customer-complaint by a false report, and watch a passenger being harassed. They can go back to their normal routine. In Worst Case - Years the customer spends time in courts, legal fees etc. That's far off to be immediately worried about. Best Case- he breaks down and succumbs to accepting the false charges. No wonder the attendants are drunk on absolute power and ego. What were they fearing when they trumped up the false charges? A small reprimand from customer relations? Wonder if they can sleep now in the night, knowing fully well what they have done.
BTW, A KQ representative on twitter responded saying "Hope you continue flying with KQ". Well.
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You could say you were harassed coz you are a muindi to give the story a "masala" twist. Counter sue the crew to teach them a lesson as well. Hope you continue to fly with KQ!
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with such tactics
ReplyDeleteMoRoN - post your experience on www.airlinequality.com under Kenya Airways Review. This web has a wider industry specific audience
ReplyDeleteI got it from the above, that you are of Indian origin. It is a well known fact that the way many Indian's culturally are wired, they have a normal way of communicating, which for them is relaxed and normal - but which for an East African appears abusive, rude and impolite. I have many good friends both of African and Indian heritage, and it is baffling how often Africans and Indians collide / clash, yet none of them are wrong. They just see things through their own glasses... Could that be the case? One of my Sikh friends is - seen in European perspective - direct, bold, arrogant - yet - in his own perspective - he is not. As a person, he is very very humble, he is the type of being very friendly to other people - yet his way of talking - gives a different perspective - to other cultures ...
ReplyDeleteI wish you will get nicely over this most unfortunate episode...