Thursday, September 27, 2007

Disaster

I've been somewhat a bad blogger nowadays since I don't update much as often as I want to. Wait? Did I just say that in my previous entries? T_T

Anyhow, me and my parents flew to Manila last September 15 and then by September 17 me, my parents and the rest of the group in the Travel Seminar Incentive flew to Malaysia. We then flew to Singapore (September 22) and stayed there for two(2) days and went back to Manila(September 24).

I just got back in Davao(September 27) yesterday.

My parents and I were supposed to be back by September 26 but due to "unforeseen circumstances" we were delayed. Here's the sitch:

We were scheduled for the 5:54pm flight and we checked out from the hotel by 10:30am arrived at the airport by 11:00am hoping to catch the two remaining flights scheduled 1:00pm and 4:00pm as chance passengers. We were then informed that the two remaining flights are fully booked and we have to wait by the side, a very uncomfortable place for one and the chance of getting three seats is 50/50. So, we decided to check-in early for the 5:54pm flight and wait at the business class lounge (fortunately the company booked us in the Mabuhay Class hehe).

The airline did not inform us about the change of aircraft due to "maintenance" and so they subjected to "double seating". It was basically the fault of the maintenance team because when they changed the system into the smaller aircraft they did not check whether someone was checked in to the said flight (and it's protocol to check before they change). Basically, we were not included in the system.

We were given the DB (Denied Boarding) and since it was their fault they said they would take care of our hotel accommodation, transport in and out of the hotel, meals, the choice of any flight the next day and three(3) round trip business class tickets that is valid for a year. Wow. For a simple inconvenience we were given those.

We took the first flight out of Manila to Davao which was scheduled to leave by 4:30 am and was once again delayed because one passenger had an accident when a heavy cabin luggage fell on the passenger's head.

Oh well, so much for hurrying to get home. We really wanted to be home as soon as possible because we missed everybody in Davao. Boohoo.

The incident might have been annoying if we choose to react on the situation but then we were reminded about the quote "all things work together for good" and in between those scenarios I presented above a "major scene" happened in Davao particularly in our office that kinda enraged me.

I don't think I can mention anything from that scene because that certain exaggerated "station" might once again "harass" us. Poof. I mean we admit we did something "wrong" there. We take FULL RESPONSIBILITY and we are SORRY about our NEGLIGENCE. There is truth in what they say about the technicality we did but not in WHAT THEY DO and HOW THEY DID IT. Couldn't they at least have the decency to "talk it out in a PROFESSIONAL WAY" and not the childish manner that everyone witnessed?

We are not criminals and it was not right to treat us that way. I mean a grade school student would notice something "fishy" over what they did. I lost respect of that certain "station" and those kind of media people (not everyone ok?) who lacked ethics and is all about "the story and the money they would prolly get from that scoop" and not caring for the people who is working hard for their future. But then, what comes around goes around. Maybe, that's why that station was never a success because their principles and how they get their "scoop" are not good.

I'm not bitter or angered by the people behind it. I am angered by HOW THEY DID IT. They practically embarrassed everyone and the moral damage? My gulay. TSK. Very mean. But, thanks to you "certain station" we learned a lot from it....

lesson: "Why do we need disasters? The only time most of us ever learn anything is when we get hit over the back of the head. Why? Because it is easier NOT TO CHANGE. So we keep doing what we're doing until we hit a brick wall. The universe is always nudging us with gentle signals. When we ignore the signals it nudges us with a sledgehammer. Growth is more painful when we resist it." - from the book Follow your Heart.

What a nice lifelong lesson you left us with. Good thing we were taught not to react but just to RESPOND in these kind of situations. Your station made our bond stronger that we are always there for each other not just through GOOD TIMES but BAD TIMES and with DIFFICULT PEOPLE like you.

We owe it to you. We will be more careful this time. Watching our every move. But then, dear station you lost a lot of "viewers" and their respect as well. I guess that's part of the consequence you will receive. I do hope you learned something from it too and use the sitch as your advantage. This is not a lesson from a TEXTBOOK. THIS IS REAL.

Much thanks to our kickass lawyer.

Sorry dear readers if you couldn't get my drift but this is the best I can do without divulging the whole matter. Baka ano na naman ang sabihin nila... may pagkakamali ang grupo pero mali rin ang pag handle nila sa situation. Pero part yun sa process. All is well now. The case is closed.

For the pictures.... it will be on the next post. Hehe. Have a great weekend ahead! :)

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

im kinda sensing it or should i say getting it? gosh. that's unfortunate. but yeah, for everything that happens, merong reason.

at least, you're back. lol. :D

Mari said...

Whatever it was, it happened for a reason, and both sides will learn from it.

Welcome back.

Sidney said...

" heavy cabin luggage fell on the passenger's head"

I wonder how many free round trip tickets that guy got in the end! ;-)

Unknown said...

Chiiillllllllll! You didnt inform me haaaaaa. But you are home nowwww! welcome back!

e said...

so you're kinda busy this past few days

Tinunuy said...

Well, atleast you learned a lot from it and now you know how to handle people like that.

Welcome Back Tina! Looking forward to the pictures. :)

Anonymous said...

The most important is that you are back safe and sound! Looking forward to the pics Tina!

Wishing you a great end to your week too :D

Anonymous said...

thats too bad huh,pero at least you are still safe and sound.youre so lucky pa rin na nakakapgtravel ka at your young age,be proud of it coz not every youngin can have what you have right now. :)
Welcome back gurl...well,never updating dont make us bad,if ever,im a bad blogger too..haha!

x said...

you shouldn't feel too bad about being a "bad" blogger. you actually have a life. :) god bless!

Unknown said...

Wow! Business Class jetsetter na si Tina!

Where are you going next? and when?

Anonymous said...

Wow! congrats sa travel mo... been a long time since you've updated your site huh? Anyway, add up my new site sa link mo. www.pmvb.info.

Anonymous said...

welcome back.. show your pix na hehehe

Anonymous said...

Bad Tina. Bad Tina. hehee

Anonymous said...

Na-curious ako sa 'certain station' na binanggit mo. Anyway,it's good to know that you're back na in Davao and here in the blogging world. Cheers! :) Saan naman ang next stop mo?

B said...

I was supposed to say that I envy you and your 'travel tours', but as I read the rest of the post, mukhang andami pala talagang di mabuting nangyari.

Whew. Sige, inhale, exhale. Hehe.. :)

Hi Tin. :) I'm back. Namiss kita. :0 As in SUPER! :) I wish na di na ako muli maghi-hiatus. :) MABUHAY!

sherma said...

wow.. you were not busy last week, eh? hahaha!

welcome back, tina!

Anonymous said...

Sarap! Panay ang travel. Delayed din kami ng 18hrs the last time na nag travel kami pero ok naman sa hotel di ba?

Sakit yatang mabagsakan ng luggage.

Anonymous said...

Woah... that was a mouthful.

I guess the good ones, outshined the bad ones. travel is always a good experience and learning. Even if things don't go your way sometimes.

Mari said...

WOW! And that's a big WOW to your new template. I love it!

Anonymous said...

Learn from your experiences and don't dwell on the negative.

Yes, they could've handled it much better. Not impressive, at all.

Anonymous said...

Hello Tina,you seem so busy?
I hope you are well :)

i got you tagged pala,pls check it out if you have time,okay?

thanx,
ghee

Anonymous said...

'Yun ang isang kinagandahan ng mga "unexpected" and "not that good" circumstances - madalas e may mahahalagang mga bagay na gustong ipahiwatig at ituro sa'tin. At 'yun ay kung talagang mauunawan natin ang lahat ng mga bagay-bagay sa paligid.

Maligayang rakenrol pagbabalik. :D