Tiger Airways- how now?
Sep 13, 2006
Tiger Airways tells passengers: 'Keep clear of the aisle,
we are coming to sell food and drinks'
I returned to Singapore from Hanoi on Tiger Airways. It was the
first time that I travelled on Tiger Airways and it gave me a
different perspective of what budget airlines mean. I expect no
service but not arrogance.
The following is what I heard and observed during the flight:
"You cannot eat outside food on board." This was what the flight
attendant told a non-English speaking passenger. The poor passenger
was embarrassed and had to put away her pastry.
I have not been told nor have I read of this prohibition from the
time I booked the ticket till I checked in. If there is such a
rule, it should be stated clearly on the ticket or boarding
pass.
"Keep clear of the aisle, we are coming to sell food and drinks",
said the voice over the PA system.
In all my years of travelling, no airline has ever made such a
demand on its passengers. Flight attendants are expected to make
way for passengers and not the other way around.
"Switch off your hand phones, otherwise we will issue a warning
letter or confiscate the phone."
While this warning was given after the third reminder that hand
phones should not be used on board, is it necessary to announce the
threat over the PA system?
With this experience, I'd rather pay a few dollars more to travel
on the full service airlines to enjoy full service and be greeted
with friendly smiles and attitudes. All this adds up to make a trip
more pleasant.
William Teo Jui Wah
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Home > ST Forum > Story
July 26, 2007
Woe after woe for Tiger Airways passengers
I WAS on board Tiger Airways Flight TR 152 from Singapore to Phuket
last Thursday. At about 7.10am the plane made its way to the runway
and proceeded to take off. After travelling some distance, it
started to slow down and eventually came to a stop. The pilot
announced that there was a 'configuration problem' and that it
would be investigated. He then taxied the plane to the side.
After some time, he announced that he could not find anything wrong
and would attempt another take-off. He then taxied the plane to the
runway for take-off. Again, the plane travelled a short distance
before coming to a halt. The pilot announced that he would have
engineers investigate the problem and the plane was subsequently
taxied to the terminal gate.
More time elapsed and eventually the pilot announced that the
'problem was more involved' than he initially thought. We were
transferred to another plane.
En route to the runway, the second plane stopped for a considerable
length of time. The pilot eventually announced that the
weather-detection radar was faulty and he would have to get it
replaced. We made another trip to the terminal gate and the plane
finally took off after the faulty radar was replaced.
Approaching Phuket airport, the landing was aborted, with the pilot
saying that visibility was poor and he would have to make another
approach. We circled Phuket; the second attempt was also aborted as
visibility had not improved. Prior to the third landing attempt,
the pilot remarked that 'it was just not his day'. This statement
further undermined the confidence of passengers. We finally touched
down at about 11.35am, Phuket time.
Several serious issues arise from this incident. Firstly, why did
the pilot attempt a second take-off when there was a configuration
problem?
Another issue is the question of maintenance. The reserve plane
also had faulty equipment. How does Tiger Airways ensure that its
planes are airworthy?
There has been a spate of incidents involving budget airlines of
neighbouring countries.
This incident involving Tiger Airways raises concerns as to whether
safety standards are being compromised.
Passengers need strong reassurance from the airline that such
incidents will not recur.
Johnny Ong Hock Lam
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