My missus and I flew Malaysia Airlines (MAS) all the way on our trip to KLIA/Penang and back when we went to Sungai Petani and came home together with our daughter.
We went earlier as the fare was cheaper from Sibu to KLIA on Tuesday, 17th November, 2009 by almost RM200 and for two persons, I could save around RM350-400 and that could help cover our hotel expenses. On that flight, MH2713, departing at 7 in the morning, there was an all-female cabin crew. Breakfast was a choice between nasi lemak or fried noodles and chicken…and it was served with a piece of Kit-Kat and fruits. Service was good, true to the MH = Malaysian Hospitality tagline. They even served another round of drinks before landing.
On our connecting flight from KLIA to Penang – MH1140, however, there was a steward who just stood there and did not even bother to offer to help when he saw me trying to put my bag into the overhead stowage compartment, never mind that I was an old senior citizen! Perhaps I did not look THAT old to him? Later, a lady came and asked, “Can you help me with my bag?” Now, now, lady…whatever happened to “please”? And I did not hear her saying “thank you” either. The steward promptly replied, “Yup!!!” I think the airline should look into the training and teach them to say things like, “Of course, m’am!” or “Certainly, m’am!” After all, they seem to be SO proud that they are the World’s No. 1 cabin crew…unless that kind of service is solely reserved for their international flights…and those foreign passengers.
On our return flight from Penang to KLIA on Sunday, 22nd November, 2009, I was very impressed by the ground staff at the Penang International Airport. The lady directing the people in the queue was very pleasant and the man at the counter that I went to check in was really the best. When he saw me approaching with the bags, he actually stood up to help me put the bags on the conveyor belt…and he took great care in checking us in and making sure everything was correct. I saw from his name tag that his name was Fauzi. This certainly was a far cry from the snooty lot at KLIA and at other airports.
On board the aircraft, however, there was this Indian air steward who wore spectacles. I did not know that they allow that now? And he looked so unhappy as if the whole whole was against him and did not even smile one teeny-weeny bit throughout the whole flight. The ones on our KLIA-Sibu flight were totally different – very nice and friendly. That was on MH2718 departing at 1930 hours.
For dinner, I had the chicken kurma with tomato rice which the stewardess cheerfully said was “very nice”. Well, it was indeed nice enough; after all, I never expect very much from airline food and for dessert, we had this slice of fruit cake…
…and Ferrero Rocher…
…and as if that was not enough, we were served Baskin Robbins’ ice cream too…
When the stewardess was distributing that, I remarked, “Oooo…Baskin’ Robbins, no less!” Later, she asked me whether I was from Sibu – I wonder why! Sibu people don’t know Baskin’ Robbins? Later when I went to the washroom, I saw one of the crew with a tray and on it were two cups of Häagen-Dazs. Hey! We didn’t get that!!! LOL!!!
All in all, except for the little glitches here and there such as the around 40 to 45-minute delay on our Penang-KLIA flight, we had a pleasant trip. But upon arrival at Sibu airport, this horrendous sight greeted me at the baggage reclaim area in the arrival lounge…
…and this…
That Mont Blanc bag contained my daughter’s books and notes…and was VERY heavy but that was absolutely NO reason at all for them to manhandle and ill-treat it like that until it was completely damaged. Well, if I’m not mistaken, I can go and claim compensation but when you have been travelling all day and have finally reached your destination in the later half of the night, all that anyone would want to do would be to head on home and hit the sack instead of going through all the hassle.
This is not the first time as there have been previous cases in the past where my bags were opened…torn…or damaged in other ways and so on and so forth. Perhaps this is one MAJOR flaw. a real thorn in the flesh, that the airline people should look into if they wish to…stay GOLD!
Comments on: "Look what you’ve done…" (26)
had a bad experience with MAS once when I came back from Langkawi. Supposed to a be a connecting flight from Langkawi Via KLIA to Sibu. They cancelled my flight from Langkawi to KLIA and rebooked me on a later flight to KLIA, thusI could not get my connecting flight to Kuching. I was stranded for hours in KLIA. By the time, I got to Kuching it was past midnight and had the early flight to Sibu the next morning. Asked about the food and lodging from the ground staff but instead was push from one counter to the next. The ground staff in Kuching just disappeared when I asked about it. When I complained the next day at the counter, only an apology and a breakfast coupon. What a joke!. Next time, would have to bang the counter and screamed at them to get the services. That’s the trouble you get for going CHOGM……
No matter what, I still find it nicer than travelling on the cheap airline…which is not necessarily cheap. I checked the Sibu-Kuching-Sibu flights around X’mas, both would come up to over RM500 return.
Ya, sometimes we need to know our rights and demand for them, or else they may just keep quiet about it. I guess they paid for your one-night hotel in Kuching – that’s one thing you’re entitled to. Happened to me once too and spent the night at Grand Con with breakfast – it was ok…but then it was such a hassle especially when one’s mind was set on getting home.
My flight from Penang to KLIA was supposed to leave at 3.25 pm but rescheduled to 3.45 and it did not depart until around 4.10-4.15. However, I had booked an earlier flight instead of the later ones to allow myself ample time to catch the flight to Sibu at 7.30 pm. Always pays to play safe.
I know why no one helps you! They thought that you need some exercises. By the way, all my bags had the zipper handles cut! One of them was broken and they offered to repair.
Oh, Häagen-Dazs is for the first class passenger.
Despite all these, I still prefer MAS.
This particular bag had a poor track record. The 1st time I checked it in, they stole all the Mont Blanc logos dangling from the zippers – I dunno what for! The 2nd time Sibu-KLIA, it was opened (the padlock was broken) and I did not notice until I reached Malacca but nothing was stolen and I found somebody’s toothbrush inside…and this was the 3rd time. On other occasions, I hand carried as it was cabin size. My expensive Samsonites are all broken, one way or another…and once, I had a clean blade cut from top to bottom on a bag. I guess it’s the baggage-handling staff… Otherwise, generally, it’s still better than travelling by the cheap airline…especially during those FAX days!
jeez since when they start baskin robbins? all my flights from klia- sibu or vice versa serve crap food.
one during my melb-kl-sibu flight, i was too tired to eat anything during the kl-sibu flight. the stewardess kind enough to offer me some chocolates. maybe she thought i want to faint liaw!!
Hahahahahaha!!!! They HAVE improved quite a lot since under SARAWAKIAN Idris Jala who had managed to get the airline out of the red. Now that he has left, I hope it will not go downhill again. You know what “those people” are capable…or incapable of doing. Bunga banyak, nombor satu…and when it comes to real work, zero!
If opening your bags is the only thing that they do, tak apa lah. My friend from KK last time got 3 pairs of baju Raya stolen from her luggage and each pair was worth hundreds (kain mahal bah). She was so angry when she claimed for compensation they were only willing to pay much less than what she claimed for.
My friends even lost their jeans, perfumes etc.
I scouted the fares from MH for the Kch-KL, aiyo… all the cheap2 ones habis already. What to do, use AA only lah (but booked my seat depan2 la, easier to get off the plane. LOL!)
So far, even when they opened my bag, nothing was taken. Maybe nobody could use MY size? Hahahahahaha!!!! Usually, anything of value I would hand-carry in a cabin-size bag! You’ll never know. Lost baggage is an international phenomenon! Have you booked for the Chinese New Year holidays yet? I hear the fare via the cheap airline is EXTREMELY expensive…cheaper to fly home by MAS but full but they are able to use KLIA-KCH-SBW instead. Still cheaper! A “friend” posted that on Facebook…
CNY?? Hmmm…
Dunno whether going to KL or not.
The ‘Mr’ might be moving to Kch next year… Haha…
Oh? Coming nearer…and nearer? You’re not registering first to ask for a transfer? Btw, I hear there’s a teacher in St Teresa’s retiring in March, so there’s a vacancy…
Registering next year and reception hopefully x long after that. hehe…
Have to see where he’ll be working also since he’s also waiting for interview result from govt sector. Then only can apply for transfer.
OK…looking forward to receiving the red summons…i.e. if I get to be on the invited guests’ list. LOL!!!
for sure will invite u lah… U kan one of the special singers for the occasion. Better start practicing oh… LOL!
Pressure! Pressure!… Hahahahahaha!!!!
You should really send this in to MAS.
I did it once & was given a robotic ungrammatical reply.
Maybe if more of us did so, they would have to improve.
The last time I had a post on flight delays, the MAS customer relations officer dropped by my blog and commented asking for details…and later she gave an explanation but then, it was the usual – bad weather, for the safety of the passengers and all that diplomatic stuff. I dunno why but the KLIA-Penang and Penang-KLIA sector seems very problematic. I have had delays a number of times…
hi stp. Writing from my hp. I am not in my house but still couldn help commenting. About my trips, so far, i have not come across any incident i can remember cos i was always on drugs when i board the plane. Ha ha. Ha. I was always drowsy so i take pill to sleep. Nausea. So far so good. My furthest trip was twenty four hours. If i don take pill, imagine how torturing!.
Good grief! I didn’t know you’re a junkie! Hahahahahaha!!! 24 hours? Where did you go? A round-the-world trip? Wah! So kaya…and coming to Sibu so very cheap, don’t wanna come! Tsk! Tsk!
that was a couple of years ago..before i started blogging.. now no money liow.. finished spending on kwai lous…hahahahaha… go sibu also hv to count my coins first … LOL…
Don’t come during school holiday season. That was why I went over to SP earlier. I think it was RM108 Sibu>KLIA…and the return flight, the school hols had started so it was RM280. I think if you check the website now, it is around RM3-400. Very cheap if you can get the 70% discount…
Maybe you can get scratch proof more higher end suitcase that will cost you an arm and a leg?
My Samsonites – oyster shell no less, a set of two – his & her…got dented here and there, the handle came off…and the bar for pulling the suitcase on its corner wheel could not be clipped back when not in use. Most of the time, for checked-in luggage, I use carton boxes and let them throw as much as they like…but I was in SP coming back and could not be bothered to go through the trouble of getting the boxes and buying the scissors/pen knives and masking tapes.
Aiyah, don’t scare me la…i’ll be using MAS for my Christmas trip home. Hope I won’t end up with shredded bag. Generally I think cabin crews that fly international sectors are more helpful (although they do gush too enthusiastically over how cute the angmo babies are, even if some of them do look like gremlins). As for domestic sectors punya crew, I’ve had experiences where none of the cabin crew – even the steward – assisted me with putting my hand luggage in the overhead compartment. Since I’m too short and can’t reach, and the cabin crew won’t help, I just climb onto the seat la. Unless I’m sometimes lucky enough to have some of the male passengers help me.
Hahahahaha! You probably met the gay ones…or the newly-recruited greenhorns. That’s why they’re flying domestic! Hopefully, you’ve better luck on your flight home…
its like that eh lar when they claim to be the best but still not all best u wil get…
airasia got wat world best……oso sucks everything…
They got the World’s Best CHEAP Airline Award! LOL!!!…MAS also won an award for the Best Inflight Meals or something like that. Guess the Baskin’ Robbins did it… Hahahaha!
stp, do they serve baskin robin all the time? in all flights? or u book for the business clasS?
Business class? Aiyor…even economy, I would have to grab the 70% discount fare. Otherwise, old and poor pensioner like me – how to afford!!! LOL!!!
eeeeeee~ how come no baskin robbins and ferrero rocher the last time i boarded mas ah, no fair~ hehe, u tink they’ll peduli me if i ask for those the next time i board mas even though they dun serve them anymore? =P
darn, im boarding airasia for my cny flights *sulk*
It may depend on the time of day. I did not get those for breakfast on the early morning flight Sibu>KLIA, only for dinner on the 7.30 pm. flight KLIA>Sibu. That cheap airline…nothing lor! Want to eat nasi lemak or anything – you pay lor! Pay for checked-in luggage! Pay for your seat! And always delay! I onlu used it once and I told the staff at the check-in counter that they should change their slogan to – EVERYBODY CAN WAIT! Hahahahahaha!!!
wow… you should really complain about this! write to them officially and cc me a copy and I’ll pass it to the MAS managers for you! haha….
No lah…I’ve already destroyed the evidence – i.e. I’ve thrown away the bag! SIGH!!!
Once i was flying to KL and as the plane took off from the ground, all the shaking and vibrating caused the baggage compartment to fall open and a bag nearly landed on this puah chai kid sitting in front of me. The kid shrieked so loud. haha. luckily i managed to catch the bag and diverted it to the floor instead of on the boy’s head. The stewardess eventually walked over and put the bag back into the compartment.. as if nothing happened.
Hey! I missed this comment! Just noticed it when I was browsing on my hp!
Well, you’ve yet to see the worst! The stewardess on the cheap airline left her station in front to go to the back (to talk, I guess!!! I don’t know why they have so much to talk about. They seem to be talking all the time if the steward isn’t flirting…or sexually-harassing the stewardess…in full view of all the passengers!!!)…and a little boy went up and tried to open the plane door. When she saw it, she came running screaming like a hysterical woman and grabbed the boy and handed him back to the parents and scolded them! Who asked her to leave her station?
And they look like those kupu-kupu malam hanging around shady joints/pubs waiting to be picked up…
Actuallly for me, i also prefer to fly with MAS rather than AA. Think of the journey to LCCT and also the forever crowded LCCT make me freak out. If i travel alone i don’t mind, but travel with two kids….sometime i rather paid a little bit extra and can get more comfy flight.
I didn’t know now MAS serve baskin robin ice cream for the flight from KLIA to sibu lei! Yummy!!
Used Air Asia once – Sibu-LCCT-Penang return…and I did not like it. The airport was a major turn off, no seats – only outside where all the cars stop to let the passengers get off – so hot and crowded, and all the car fumes – it reminded me of Puduraya Bus Station…and the delays PLUS the food at the outlets there definitely NOT cheap! And the departure lounge in the morning – when the sun shines in through the glass panels at the top, you’ll get heat stroke! Plus the delays… The grouses are endless!
Wow, Baskin Robbins for desserts. So nice. Never know that MAS serve that now. Guess next time can consider MAS rather than AirAsia which I need to bring my own bottle water.
Looking at your previous posts making me craving for food now. Hehe.
Ya, I was pleasantly impressed too! Hey! You can’t bring your own water on that cheap airline – you have to buy from them! RM2.00 a bottle or something like that! Ya…I ate…and ate…and ate…!!! Can imagine how well-rounded I am now! LOL!!!
Woah ! How come i never get treated like that ? Are you flying Gold ? My god.. what a nice dinner… now i am super hungry.. if my memory serves me round, during lunch time, they only served nasi lemak or lasagna, orange juice, one pack of ferrero and some fruits. certainly no fruit cake or ice cream lol
Yes…I was travelling MAS! They seem to get better all the time… And if you can get the 70% discount, it can be really cheap. I would think it’s worth it for the comfort and everything…and the class!
they serve BR now??.. I’ve been taking air asia flights and I don’t know much about MAS now..
it’s true that some of them don’t smile.. I always have this urge to tickle them LOL!!…
So far that was the only one. Generally they’re friendly enough…
Gosh! Why ur KL-Sibu flight so nice wan!!! Got ferrero and Baskin!!! So lucky. I’m so jealous now. I nvr get that when i fly MAS.
I guess the thing that happened to my bag never happened to yours too? With the money I paid for the bag I could have bought myself a whole lot of Ferreros and ice cream… Tsk! Tsk!
nonono, the thing that happened to your bag also happened to mine. the wheel fell off and the handle was broken and I just bought the luggage not too long ago. I had just used it twice only. T_T
Ya…same things happened to my Samsonite, so-called “oyster case” – TWO, matching HIS & HERS. I bought for my wife and myself to go honeymoon and travelling. Just a couple of trips – both gone case!!!
MAS serving Baskin Robbins??How good… I’ve been travelling using MAS and I’d never stumbled into the ‘ice-cream giving’ flights…How lucky…
I think that’s the dinner menu – take the 7.30 p.m. KLIA-SBW flights… Now no need to transit Kuching, direct!
I just took that flight 12 November but still no Baskin. I think its random…
Then it must be my good luck! They say fat people always have luck when it comes to food. Sure have things to eat one.
[...] a different kind of Ferrero Rocher, not the usual kind that we can get here…or on board an MAS flight, called Ferrero Garden. I have not tried them yet, so I cannot make any comment at the [...]