Monday, November 23, 2015

Travel Struggles: I felt bullied by the supposedly best homeland flight service. (to be fair, capitalists)

I do not know about you but I used to be so jealous when people fly around the world with MAS because at the end of the day, you will get the much anticipated "To Malaysians, welcome home" greeting. You've heard so much about MAS 5 stars service(even in economy class) and you establish this high expectation on MAS.


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.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Sekinchan, Selangor.

A long weekend perfect for a short day trip? Loves seafood and the sun?

Sekinchan is to go then! A small town, nothing much to visit besides its serenity of the small town filled with green paddy field (If you go at the right season) with LOTS and LOTS of seafood shops. Beware though, this place is getting touristy (Due to Hong Kong TVB drama series, Outbound Love starring my handsome prince, Ruco Chan and Aimee Chan) and hence, expect some price hike here and there.

1) Paddy Factory - You can buy local manufactured rice and some other goods here. I got the 2kg brown rice for RM 10 which I find reasonable and since it was in vacuumed pack, being the tourist me, I just bought one to try.


 2) Paddy Field (opposite Paddy Factory) - I was superbly lucky that day. The sky was so blue and the paddy field was really green hence, the photo. ;)


3) Mango "Farm" - Further down the road from the Paddy Factory, there is a Mango "Farm". Note the quotation marks because it is not really a farm but more like a stall selling mangoes at extravagant price. Although I must admit their mangoes are relatively larger than what we usually find in common Malaysia market, but it's just not something locals will buy at that price. Well, to be fair, you can find mango trees along the road, by the river opposite the supposedly mango farm.


 4) Temple - I forgot the temple's name but you can literally find a few temple in this town indicating the majority of the population. There are 2 temples that I spotted, one temple is the one near the seafood Restaurant Yi Mi while the other is the one below.


5) Pantai Redang, Sekinchan - As the name goes, you can find Redang in Sekinchan but don't put high expectation when you visit the beach (Don't say I didn't warn you..) Still, go there for some young vibe(They actually have music blaring over the speakers to hype up the environment!) and just enjoy yourself by the tree houses as well as the wishing tree. Which one you ask? I think it's pretty obvious!




6) This is a full loaded dai bao from their Re Re Lai Dim Sum Shop. Priced at RM 3.20 with a large portion of fillings, it is worth a try although I must say the taste is just average. However, if you are on your way back to KL and you are using the Klang route, please do stop by Shin Lok Coffee Shop to try their famous vege bao and yam puffs which I didn't manage to get this time around(I reached there about 4pm) as it was sold out. So yes, plan your time wisely!You can read more about them here: http://www.j2kfm.com/famous-jeram-pau-yam-puff-kedai-kopi-shin-lok-kuala-selangor/


Work is never ending. Life will. Life > Work. Life-work balance, please.