Now, I'm figuring almost everyone in New Zealand, and possibly the whole Asia-Pacific region, has a Jetstar horror story. Ours potentially was a good one, too, but upon further research, it's not such a horror story (for reasons that will become apparent), but there's still enough culpability on the part of Jetstar to write it up anyway.
When we first heard Nicholas was flying Jetstar back to Wellington I suggested we be ready for a delay or a cancellation, so famous is their inefficiency. Read any Stuff story about Jetstar and the horror stories come flying in the comments section.
So, flight still operating and, surprisingly, on time, we front up to check in. "What High School do you go to, Nick?" "Haven't started High School, yet. But will be starting next week." "Sorry, but you can't fly today, then."
What?
The ticket's booked. In his name. Date of birth stated. So our immediate question was how could he be booked to fly, but unable to fly? No answer to that, except to acknowledge it is a glitch in the system and given an email address to complain to. Perhaps, she said, if enough people complain about it the hole in the system will be closed. Thanks. Doesn't help us right now.
She offered two alternatives. Someone fly with him now and return... for a price, of course. Or try another airline. By which she meant Air New Zealand (have Pacific Blue abandoned the NZ route yet?)
Jetstar girl, bordering on polite, speaks to Nick's father in Wellington.So, we ended up booking him on Air New Zealand, who have clear policies on unaccompanied children, and all was good. Relatively speaking.
Of course, we wondered how he could be booked on a flight, online, without some sort of flag coming up about his age. Come to find out (without wanting to indict Nick's dad, we did not do the booking) there is a pretty clear link to the restrictions right there in the booking window on the Jetstar website.
Damn! Can't really have a rant about Jetstar except to say that a flag on the date of birth would solve a lot of angst on what, accordng to the almost-polite Jetstar girl, is a common problem.
However, it's common knowledge that Jetstar sucks anyway. On that basis I would never book with them.
4 comments:
sheesh! Jetstar really do suck! I flew with them up to Auckland when they first advertised their cheap flights after their start up, NEVER AGAIN! So what was the question about high school about? Was it to clarify his age or is their policy that you can be say, 14, but if you're not at high school, you're too young? I'm surprised they're still in business. Probably because they're heavily subsidised by those poor aussies.
Nice report and nice blog. Lucky he didn't have his bag damaged like I did! What a nightmare! http://memock.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/making-a-damaged-bag-claim-with-jetstar-airlines/
Oh my goodness, memock! You certainly did have a nightmare!!! I feel for you. It must be such a relief that it's over. I think everyone knows at least one other person who has had a nasty jetstar experience. Scary.
Yeah and the worst thing is that I am in the middle of booking Christmas holidays and on one of the legs Jetstar happen to be cheaper - way cheaper then the others. Looks like I may just have to bite my tongue and book (that is if I am not banned from flying with them!!)
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