Flyglobespan thrive because they do not just yet have any real competition in the east side of Scotland. Their flights and slots are perfect for us, so much so that we allow ourselves to be treated shabbily, and come back for more.
I myself am guilty of doing exactly this and until another carrier offers as good an in flight experience, or better, I will continue to patronise this company. It is agreat shame that the sterling efforts of their cabin staff are so utterly and completely negated by an absence of customer care from head office.
That does not mean that we, and it would appear that we are several, are not unaware that we are regarded with contempt by Mr T. Dalrymple et al.
I recently read an interview of Mr Dalrymple by the Scotsman newspaper on the 22/1/06, posted on the www.complaintsboard.com website.
The paragraph which had me helpless with laughter reads
"He also knows that giving the customer what he wants is vital-and that includes good service.'When you check in, you want someone to smile at you. We can't piss of our customers'
Well, I have disagree with Mr Dalrymple, he and his staff have since proved on umpteen occasions that they can, and do exactly this, frequently and almost compulsively, and still the customers keep on coming.
One can only speculate what they would have to do to actually deter folk from buying their product.
For example, how can a charge be justified for poayment by debit card when they have instantly the use of the customer's money for maybe six months or even longer, interest free?
Or, since when did £15 GBP equate with 25 Euros, especially since the Euro has risen recently to 75p. This means the charge rises from £15, which we should be able to pay in sterling, along with our flight seats,to a swingeing £18.75. Nice little earner or what!
This only happens if one only wishes to buy excess baggage incoming, if purchased for both legs there seems not be any problem in paying in sterling at the £15 per leg rate.
Now we have to pay per hold bag, even of it is at this early stage quite a low price. Other carriers have done thise but they at least have increased the total allowance so effectively one is having to buy excess baggage in advance. This is acceptable if only because one can take up to 30kg total, and it should avoid the embarrassment, and anger, of being caught at checkin for a hefty fine for being overweight.
By imposing this new baggage charge while still keeping the maximum"free" baggage at 20kg, Flyglobespan are slipping in a stealthy price rise.
Now where have we heard of stealthy price or tax rises before? Correct, and what Flyglobespans marketing experts, and I use this description loosely, have not taken on board is that the general public of this country are now supersensitive to stealth charges, and can detect them from afar.
Just as at the ballot box, the perps. will be remembered when a credible alternative pops up.
This company could so easily turn all of these negatives into positives which would enable it withstand any assault from competitors with confidence. I wish I could show them just how simple this could be, but then that would require their recognition and acceptance that what they are presently doing is not necessarily correct, and that may be too much to ask of them.
Right Tom?
over & out
RF
