BC Tam

Lee, If it makes you feel any better, you're not the only un-understanding one amongst us ! Not only SQ at SIN I'm sad to say, some of us here in EM are quite receptive to travelling all the way to HKG to connect to 'rest of the world' rather than travel on MH via KUL. Even BWN on BI is an option. Have I made it more difficult to comprehend life ?!!

Sounds remarkably similar to what Labuan used to be like

Never done anything near a RTW trip before myself but I'm sure I won't be the only one here to offer this piece of advice - enjoy it for all its worth ! (now where is that green, envious emoticon when you need it ?!!) Have a wonderful and safe journey

(1) As I've mentined before, you've been away too long from this part of the world ! (2) You may be surprised how 'willing' the govt can get if 'permutations' are favourable

Either that or "best that can be expected" ?!

After reading the other (newer) thread pertaining to MH's IT response/updates, I guess it's time to update this thread I started moaning on Well, the online booking got me to and fro safely eventually - principal objective accomplished ! Credit where credit is due I believe ! The hassle was when I had to collect my paper ticket from MH's airport office here - sort of negates a major convenience afforded by online booking. But that was only 'outbound' They were quite happy to accept my computer printout at XKL for journey home. To be fair, I assume whatever bug in the reservation/booking system is now fixed since I was able to make a new booking yesterday without the previous hassles. Only time can tell if the journey itself is as convenient

The AK A320 and FAX F50 are parked awfully close together ? Or is that some optical / photographic illusion ?

Cost of transgression eh ! With hindsight, yeah, it did seem strange having four jumbo loads into BKI weekly. That is not counting MH and Asiana flights yet. Definately overly ambitious !

This attitude by the Johor authorities smack of the (for want of a better term) selfish mindset that sadly our nation suffers of. I believe they (Johor govt) is also against the KL-Sin high speed rail. Why try prevent others benefitting from lower travel costs and better convenience, just cause you have vested interest in status quo ? Mind you, I'll probably have a different opinion though if I've got 'vested interests' in Johor !!

Drat - anyone else noticed that the Korean flights to BKI are gone ?! Either the ones they did was a series of seasonal charters OR it was a very short (and presumably unsuccessful) experiment. Ah well, good while it lasted ! Sorry for going slightly off topic BTW

Well, it has to happen sooner or later I suppose. Was quite difficult to imagine the govt not meddling when things got political. So what, we 90% back to pre-rationalisation status by month's end ? From reverse view, we'll be 90% irrational by then !!

I sincerely hope pilots are alert throughout, irrespective of weather !

Ah, so I suppose all parties would then have the necessary statistics to sustain their finger pointing and counter finger pointing exercises in current blab over KLIA flight delays !!

Literally "flying on a wing and a prayer" I reckon !

Is anyone still keeping count the number of attempts different airlines have tried to sustain service between Sabah and southern Philippines ?! Never seem to work out long term, nor has this EAGA thingy seem to have had any impact on anything (except lots of conferences and general hot air !) BTW, this Yeo chap has better get his priorities right. Sandakan has long, long ago been "on the world map" thanks to the fantastic job Sepilok has brought about. This air service to Zamboanga has yet to be proven economically viable !

Just had a thought - why not use arrival time as the yardstick for airline punctuality ? It is after all the 'end point' in the exercise. A flight may leave on time, but may be forced to return/divert due to inadequate maintenance. Another flight may be late departing but make up for lost time enroute, arriving at destination on time. Yeah, admittedly the zillions of factors at play in those scenarios will distort somehow. But as a pax, I can better appreciate arriving !

As far as memory serves me, don't recall the Tigershark ever entered service with any air force. In fact, don't think Northrop ever completed the certification exercise. Reports from that era indicate RMAF was one of the target customers. Other I remember was the Saudis. Just out of (hypothetical) interest, would the RMAF still consider these 'light' jets as front liners anymore, now that we have the Hornets and Migs already and Sukhois on the way ?

Oh Yipee - I think ! Finally managed to get through - by booking the outbound and return sectors separately. Only now the outbound is listed as 'partially booked' whilst return is confirmed and paid for (non refundable, non changeable cheapo ticket !) I hope my boss appreciates the hassle I'm enduring to save money for the company !

On the contrary I personally prefer online transactions, in most cases. Perhaps it's cause I don't generally care for the inevitable sales pitch when dealing with real people ! Personal preference I must add ! I do hope MH get their system fixed soon, I do need to get my bookings done. Apart from the problem of being asked repeatedly for one's personal and credit card details (vicious cycle !) on MH's system now, I find that the download is frustratingly slow. Is it just my PC/connection or anyone else suffering in sync ?! Oh, just in case I have given the impression I'm a habitual MH basher - let me add that I've managed prior to this successfully booked online with MH without fuss. But then that was pre-rationalisation !

Finally gave up on the online bit and called up MH call centre using the old fashioned handset. Yes, the (very pleasant) lady did admit they are having 'difficulties' - my reservation showed up as 'cancelled' in the system; after all my attempts to pay them too ! How long has the problem persisted - don't know; when system expected to be restored - don't know ! So, what would it cost to book through the phone ? About RM1k on top !! Yikes, I think I can wait for them to fix the bug ! Sadly, I can only conclude MH has still a long journey ahead. One can only try so far to help it on its recovery. But if this continues, it's easy to see why AK announced record profits yesterday and MH declared 'reduced losses' today.

Folks, Is anyone else having as much 'fun' as I am with MH's online booking service (dis-service to be precise !) I've just spent the best part of the last 90 minutes trying fly with our national carrier, only to be repeatedly asked to re-enter pax details (even though my data is on Enrich record) After a few attempts, up came a message saying the flights are unavailable ! I do hope my credit card has not been charged multiple times too ! Whilst we're on the subject, is there anyway we can alert the people responsible for the atrocious grammar employed - "Please wait a moment as we processing your request" Sends shivers down one's spine doesn't it ! It has been close to 10 minutes now and the same message is still blinking in the other open window

You guys in Kuching lucky got RMAF base at KCH. The last time KK hosted the celebrations, I recall the screamers flew in from Labuan base, did a few tricks, then buzzed back to the island. Mana cukup kick ! (translation for Pieter : I was underdosed !) BTW, you guys are getting the haze bad ! Are the face masks being snapped up yet ?

excellent

Is it safe to conclude that universally politicians and aviation are not meant to interact - that is if you're not after trouble !

Thank you too Tony - astounding as to what one can learn from these forums !