Missive from parts of Africa

A light hearted and sometimes serious look at moving 6000km into a place in Africa: April 2007. Promoted back to South Africa, the missive will continue to track my foray's into deepest Africa as and when I get there.

Name:
Location: Joburg, Africa, South Africa

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

SAA, Strike and More E'kaya

Courtesy of SAA employees holding out for more money, most international flights out of SA have been cancelled since friday.

As I was meant to fly out yesterday to the Jungle and my flight was cancelled, I remain in SA until the strike is resolved or until going back becomes an issue enought for me to fly back via Frankfurt, Rome, Dubai or London.

One thing about SAA which amazes me is their apparent shock that when all ground staff and cabin crew go on strike, they will not be able to fly. Their planning for strike action is nothing short of abysmal.

The have a really fancy system when you phone a number and using voice recognition you can find out the departure or landing time of any flight. The fuck up comes from having flights cancelled but not updating the system to reflect this.

That was they will ensure that you arrive at the airport, deal with surly security people and realise that the "management" they have allocated to assist the passengers know just as much as you do.

When you speak nicely to the man and mention updating the voice system with current details may make his life easy, he redefines the definition of "blank look". I do sympathise with managers who have to deal with jobs of striking workers, but I blame top management for not refining the lines of communication to their customers.

But hey when the CEO takes a helicopter to the Kruger Park for a customer bash in the middle of a strike, what can one expect.

(Oh yes - this is the same CEO that when he was CEO of a Banking type place comes to play golf with an armed body guard. - I think it has to do with image rather than actual danger to oneself)

SAA - You have a lot to learn!