Well... That changed and here's my story.
We booked our flights from Kuala Lumpur to Auckland during MATTA fair since March 2015 and happily planned our trip to New Zealand where my brother will be graduating. Hotels, car, CONNECTING FLIGHT and etc. Notice my emphasis on connecting flight?
Well, fast forward to 2 weeks prior to my departure we were informed that MAS rescheduled their flight to almost like 12 hours difference(supposingly departing in the morning and now, it was rescheduled to night.) The first thing that crossed my mind when I got the news was WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH MY CONNECTING FLIGHT. We immediately went to check the rates and with depreciating ringgit as well as the late booking, of course, the price hike up like nobody's business. Of course, my courier for my internal flight (Air New Zealand) isn't taking any responsibility out of it as well.
This is when I started to go on a quest of compensation where I had to go to KL Sentral to get my new tickets reissued. Seriously? I bought the tickets and I had to go through the hassle of claiming my own new tickets because MAS rescheduled. I'm sure we all know how bad the traffic is in KL and how pricey it can get for parking. I reluctantly complied as we need to fly for my brother's graduation and that's less than 2 weeks.
I was passed around (expectedly) like a ball to various department before finally talking to the customer service department. I got to say that MAS is really smart that they shifted their "complaints" department to KLIA which is somewhere no one will purposely go just to make a complain. From customer service department (which I never manage to talk to my case manager by the way) to MHinsure department (while their service is much better, they still did not give me the answer that I was yearning for), I came to this conclusion that I will not be getting my 450NZD compensation nor the loss of my car rental or hotel, let alone my time.
To be fair, I asked for the reason on why MAS rescheduled their flight and they told me it's not fault from their side because Auckland airport is temporarily closed on 29th Dec (The day I'm suppose to fly in the morning) but wait. When my brother in New Zealand called up Auckland airport, the authority at Auckland airport told us that there is no such thing. Weird. Two different stories. Well, I guess this happens often in Malaysia. Latest update, 25/11/2015, 9.29am: I was informed that Auckland is not closing their airport but rather they are closing the pathway MAS will be landing.
Despite all the hassles, I came to realize one fact: THERE'S A NOTICEABLE HUGE LOOP IN OUR CAPITALISTS SYSTEM which being an economist myself, I believe everyone even commoners realize that this system is somehow torturing the middle and lower class. I mean, why else would everyone be working so hard to climb the "corporate ladder"? Of course, everyone would rather be the bully than the bullied.
All in all, we burnt lots of money and time with no one of authority willing to talk to me from the customer service side besides sending me email on how their policy works and what not. My case manager even send me their "law book" to finalise that MAS is not responsible, legally.
"Clause 10.1- “We undertake to use our best efforts to carry you and your baggage with reasonable dispatch. In case of re-timing of schedule, we will notify you in advance of your journey. Although we undertake to use our best efforts to adhere to our timetables and published schedules, we do not guarantee that your flight will depart and arrive at the times set forth in our timetables and schedules. Furthermore, our timetables and published schedules shall form no part of your contract with us”
Of course, the law protects those of higher power. In economics POV, that's the capitalists. (Side note: My media friends did told me that overseas airline company is bounded by a rule if flight rescheduling beyond 3 hours, passengers are entitled for a compensation. At least, this way, it's win-win don't you think?)
Well, this is my story. I felt bullied by the law and in my particulare case, MAS. If cases of bully in school goes on national TV(not saying it shouldn't), how about the day-to-day case of bully that happens in the economy world-wide?
Poor below and middle-class citizens like me. I feel you.
* Disclaimer: This post is the writer's personal opinion and experience thus, shall not be used against her or held liable for any legislation matters.
