The flight back

It is very annoying when, after a fairly relaxing and restful holiday, one is subject to mistreatment on the journey back. And no explanation or apology given.

We were booked on the Excel Air flight from SSH to LGW. 20-10 to 00.50. We were collected from our hotel just after the scheduled time of 17:40 and were soon at the airport. I thought it strange that our flight was not shown on the 'check-in desk' board, but knowing that Sharm el Sheikh airport is chaotic - the resort has grown and grown, and they are building a new terminal 'due to open 2006...'. So we went through security and still could not find a check-in desk. I started grabbing people looking as confused as I felt and gradually and collectively we began to get a rumour that our flight had been cancelled. Eventually, by process of rumour and Chinese whispers, we established that our flight had been cancelled, and if we were lucky we might get on the Monarch flight to Gatwick, otherwise we were guaranteed a seat on the Jumbo Jet going to Manchester, and if we couldn't get on there, there was also a flight to Bristol. No official announcement, no visible presence from either Excel Air, or the airport, just relying on grabbing random reps and trying to get answers, not helped by some stupid chav bitch in a pink towelling tracksuit who thought she was being assertive by swearing aggressively at airport staff while telling them her emotions and that it had taken her friends twenty four hours to get back to Bristol - while others of us were trying to ask straight questions to get straight answers.

On board the Jumbo, the pilot breezily announced he could not take us to Gatwick, even though he liked to go there, because his car was parked there; the crew had come off stand-by, and the plane had originally been scheduled to go to Cyprus, so there had been consolidation and re-arrangement...in other words, Excel had known there was a problem in the morning but didn't see fit at any time to actually inform the customers.

Getting on I had requested my vegetarian meal, to be told there were none on board. I again asked for one when they - eventually - did the rounds. I explained that I had not eaten since 3pm Egyptian time, and they were expecting me to go 11 hours until landing in Manchester without eating, plus a coach journey - would there be vegetarian meals on that? I had ordered one when I booked, and if I was vegetarian for religious or ethnic reasons I would sue for discrimination. Hadn't it crossed their mind in the 21st century that on a plane the size of a Jumbo Jet, there might be a vegetarian. I was offered numerous 'bags' which contained...wait for it, one roll which I could encircle with my (tiny) thumb and forefinger, one tiny packet of artificial cream cheese, two salty crackers and a Malteser. On arrival at Manchester we were offered a snack bag for the journey to Gatwick, comprising one Kit Kat, one apple, one bag of crisps and a tiny cartoon of orange juice, about the size of a teacup. The woman next to me in the queue was begging for water, and they tried to fob her off with the orange juice. she nearly exploded, stating that water is a basic need. (I had paid £3 on the plane for a litre of water in addition to the tiny teacup cartons that come in the 'bags'). From that I deduced there would be no Service Station stops on the motorway: tough luck for those with bladders (or bowels...!). I mentioned the orange juice to someone subsequently; she pointed out that it would been entirely unsuitable for diabetics.

Meanwhile, Jimmy was in a really bad way. He had been suffering from indigestion for a few days. In the airport he had begun to suffer more discomfort which he put down to the air-conditioning. Whilst we were sat on the plane going nowhere for the best part of an hour as UK and Icelandic (don't ask...) authorities tried to persuade the Egyptian authorities that our pilot had filed a flight plan, he began to develop pains in his chest. I repeatedly asked if he could have a blanket - he was shivering when everyone else was sweating; also for the woman next to him who seemed pretty screwed up and was taking diazepam and sleeping tablet and also wanted a blanket. but apparently, all the blankets had been given tot he children on the flight. "Oh they pay more for preferential service, do they?" I said sarcastically. I desisted from enquiring about the elderly, disabled and ill. In any case it was a lie. There were only about two children on the flight.

I eventually drew the cabin crew's attention to the fact that Jimmy was really ill, wondering if they had any painkillers. The cabin attendants who had been dealing with us had been exemplary in their attitude to customer service notwithstanding the missing veggie meals and blankets, but for the painkillers they had to summon the ultimate useless mincing misogynist trolley dolly, too busy flouncing and posing to actually do his job. He tried insisting that Jimmy had milk - for indigestion - and then as soon as 'chest pains' were mentioned, he said he would get the captain to radio ahead. A doctor would be waiting for us with the Excel reps. And then the captain told us that Gatwick passengers would be met by reps on the other side of Customs. Meantime Mincing Trolley Dolly had told me that he didn't like my attitude - because I was frantic in tears as my partner's health declined rapidly, and we were facing a maybe six hour coach journey, on an empty stomach, and no sleep, and with absolutely no communication about what was happening. Believe you me, he will be singled out in my letter of complaint to Excel. It's not his job to dislike my attitude; it is his job to follow proper procedures in what was potentially a medical emergency.

When we got there, I approached someone by the Excel desk - actually an airport official - and enquired about the doctor. They had received no message; in any case, that isn't the way it's done. A Paramedic was called; he questioned and examined Jimmy and strongly recommended that he went to hospital. After a thorough examination: the doctor concluded that there wasn't a heart problem (although his heart attack thirty years ago showed up on the ECG!), and that it was severe indigestion. After some medication, Jimmy decided he was going, and we made our way to Piccadilly. The 7:05 train from Piccadilly, even after being delayed, was in Euston at 9.30 and we were home by 10.30. I did wonder how long the coaches took to get to Gatwick, leaving Manchester Airport at about quarter to four. I reckon they probably hit the M25 at about eight o'clock. If the going was good, and there were no stops for the loo. I understand it's always pleasant trying to get past Heathrow on a Monday morning. I doubt that our journey was any slower despite our two hour hospital visit. I shall expect Excel to refund the £200+ for the peak time rail fare. (And what a pleasant journey, with everyone so quiet, and few phone calls until the delay was announced, and then just brief and to the point. Utterly chav- and oik-free).

Jimmy spent all of Monday and Tuesday, and much of Wednesday in bed, with heavy flu, including a fever, and he still has indigestion. I did start to get worried by Wednesday morning when he was showing suspicious signs of a beard but that's gone now...too itchy.

I am very angry about the cavalier attitude of Excel. I have been diverted and delayed by snow before, and have known people delayed and diverted by hijacks and terror alerts. I can only assume, in the absence of further information, that our delay was due to gross incompetence at the management level. I have no recollection of anybody saying 'sorry'. Someone said that Excel haven't paid their bills at Gatwick, which I expect is sheer fantasy, but if they do go bust, you read it here first (in other words, if you are booked on Excel in the near future, make sure you have your Travel Insurance now. And if you're about to book a holiday, I would suggest you avoid Excel:either they can't pay their bills or else they have a shortage of aircraft. Don't trust them. and if you ignore that advice, don't think of being taken ill on their flight, because they might just kill you.

I have to summon up the strength to write letters.

Comments

[vivire]

I normally get so jeaulous when I hear people talking about their holidays, because due to health reasons I haven't been able to go away on a real holiday for years, but reading this made me think that I probably should be thankful for it...