Flying, the Safest Mode of Transport

Ethical Trader wrote:Given below is a complaint made by me to the Aviation authority SL recently;-

"Mr. H. M. C. Nimalasiri,
Director General,
Airport & Aviation Authority,
Sri Lanka.
23rd March, 2018

Dear Sir

Shoddy Ground Handling by Sri Lankan Air- UL 149 on 12th March 2018 & UL 150 19th March 2018 and Inconvenience Caused to Pilgrims

Recently, I had a very nasty experience with our national carrier Sri Lankan Air but still do not know what really led the national carrier to such low level. I am making this complaint to you, to investigate this unfortunate incident and take appropriate action within your authority.

On 12th March 2018, 39 passengers in our group including me were at the airport to get the Varanasi flight-UL 149. This trip was organized by BOC Travels.

First, we were told the flight is late by one hour, the usual security clearance (scanning hand luggage, phone, belt, shoes) completed and we were waiting at Gate No: 1 to board the flight.

Then, suddenly we were told that we should to go to Gate No: 10 upstairs situated at quiet a distance. The security guys there started the usual security procedure again- scanning hand luggage, phone, belt and shoes and we did not make any fuss because we were Buddhist pilgrims and then we were waiting there to get the flight.

To our amazement, we were asked to go to Gate No: 1 downstairs again. We obliged but requested not subject us to any security check as it was done twice but the security guys told us that they have no power to waive it off. After the hectic procedure was completed we were waiting to board the flight there.

Then they announced that we should go to Gate No:10 again, to board the flight. Thereafter, the same hectic procedure was followed without any apology.    

More than half the group was over 60 years of age; there were about four persons who used wheel chairs. They were panting after the long walks up & down, standing in long queues, lifting bags and the hectic security procedures. Rest of the crowd too was dead tired and angry. I asked an Air Lanka officer what led to this pathetic situation but he vanished without any convincing answer.

After the same hectic procedure was completed, we were able to board the flight very late, tired and angry.

On 19th instant too, on our way back, we were led to Gate No: 1 at Varanasi Airport after the security clearance. Their security procedure was not that strict.  When we were waiting to board the flight at Gate No:1, we were told to proceed to Gate No: 3 upstairs. The distance was a fairly long & hectic one for the elderly people who were already tired after the eight day pilgrimage. We were lucky that we were not subjected to the same security procedure there too, like in Sri Lanka. That day too we boarded the flight late.    

Sri Lankan Air, tested our patience very badly and destroyed our very motive of the pilgrimage as if we were beggars traveling free of charge. They completely forgot that we paid for the ticket with our life long savings. No plausible reason was given for the mishap.      

On our way back, our group leader was told by an anonymous officer on board, that usually such things happen when a Minister travels in the same flight. If this information is true, Air Lanka Chairman should resign for the very reason of mismanaging the air line under political influence. But the thing I still do not understand is the reason for sending us from pillar to post three times! One time would have been more than enough if that was the real reason to deviate.

Authorities including the regulator should investigate this cancerous development as this could be a regular occurrence.  The officers who succumbed to political influence and the Politician who involved in it should be exposed and action should be taken by appropriate authorities without delay. If not, the authorities too will fall into the same shoddy category as the corrupt Sri Lankan Air guys.  

The damage done to the National Carrier and the country at large by this unfortunate incidence internationally was aggravated by the very reason of the presence of two Americans in our group.  One was a reputed journalist at HBO. This is the first time in history that foreigners joined this pilgrimage to Varanasi. They were interested in Buddhism but Sri Lankan Air destroyed this budding development with their shoddy ground handling.

In addition, there were many retired very senior government servants, a professor, university lecturers, doctors and professionals in our group. Sri Lankan Air is lucky that no one used any influence over the incident then & there.  

I am copying this letter to the tour operator, BOC Travels, to provide necessary evidence & assistance in any inquiry to be held in this regard.

Thank You"

The officer in-charge of investigations wanted me to produce scanned copies of my Passport & Air ticket which I did promptly and awaiting their response.

Ethical Trader wrote:Here is the findings of the instigation conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority on this complaint. It took nearly one year for them to reply.

"Dear Mr..........,

I refer your complaint to the Civil Aviation Authority.

The Authority reviewed all documents pertaining to your complaint. Sri Lankan Airlines and Bank of Ceylon travels have also submitted documents on this matter.

Please be informed that the gate changes at the Airport were beyond the control of the airline and were due to operational requirements of the Airport.

Due to the aforesaid, We regret to  inform you that this Authority is  unable to proceed any further with this complaint"

The question now arises is whether the air traffic controllers can have their own way and who is responsible for supervising them?

?Any one who knows may clarify.    

Ethical Trader wrote:Given below is a complaint made by me to the Aviation authority SL recently;-

"Mr. H. M. C. Nimalasiri,
Director General,
Airport & Aviation Authority,
Sri Lanka.
23rd March, 2018

Dear Sir

Shoddy Ground Handling by Sri Lankan Air- UL 149 on 12th March 2018 & UL 150 19th March 2018 and Inconvenience Caused to Pilgrims

Recently, I had a very nasty experience with our national carrier Sri Lankan Air but still do not know what really led the national carrier to such low level. I am making this complaint to you, to investigate this unfortunate incident and take appropriate action within your authority.

On 12th March 2018, 39 passengers in our group including me were at the airport to get the Varanasi flight-UL 149. This trip was organized by BOC Travels.

First, we were told the flight is late by one hour, the usual security clearance (scanning hand luggage, phone, belt, shoes) completed and we were waiting at Gate No: 1 to board the flight.

Then, suddenly we were told that we should to go to Gate No: 10 upstairs situated at quiet a distance. The security guys there started the usual security procedure again- scanning hand luggage, phone, belt and shoes and we did not make any fuss because we were Buddhist pilgrims and then we were waiting there to get the flight.

To our amazement, we were asked to go to Gate No: 1 downstairs again. We obliged but requested not subject us to any security check as it was done twice but the security guys told us that they have no power to waive it off. After the hectic procedure was completed we were waiting to board the flight there.

Then they announced that we should go to Gate No:10 again, to board the flight. Thereafter, the same hectic procedure was followed without any apology.    

More than half the group was over 60 years of age; there were about four persons who used wheel chairs. They were panting after the long walks up & down, standing in long queues, lifting bags and the hectic security procedures. Rest of the crowd too was dead tired and angry. I asked an Air Lanka officer what led to this pathetic situation but he vanished without any convincing answer.

After the same hectic procedure was completed, we were able to board the flight very late, tired and angry.

On 19th instant too, on our way back, we were led to Gate No: 1 at Varanasi Airport after the security clearance. Their security procedure was not that strict.  When we were waiting to board the flight at Gate No:1, we were told to proceed to Gate No: 3 upstairs. The distance was a fairly long & hectic one for the elderly people who were already tired after the eight day pilgrimage. We were lucky that we were not subjected to the same security procedure there too, like in Sri Lanka. That day too we boarded the flight late.    

Sri Lankan Air, tested our patience very badly and destroyed our very motive of the pilgrimage as if we were beggars traveling free of charge. They completely forgot that we paid for the ticket with our life long savings. No plausible reason was given for the mishap.      

On our way back, our group leader was told by an anonymous officer on board, that usually such things happen when a Minister travels in the same flight. If this information is true, Air Lanka Chairman should resign for the very reason of mismanaging the air line under political influence. But the thing I still do not understand is the reason for sending us from pillar to post three times! One time would have been more than enough if that was the real reason to deviate.

Authorities including the regulator should investigate this cancerous development as this could be a regular occurrence.  The officers who succumbed to political influence and the Politician who involved in it should be exposed and action should be taken by appropriate authorities without delay. If not, the authorities too will fall into the same shoddy category as the corrupt Sri Lankan Air guys.  

The damage done to the National Carrier and the country at large by this unfortunate incidence internationally was aggravated by the very reason of the presence of two Americans in our group.  One was a reputed journalist at HBO. This is the first time in history that foreigners joined this pilgrimage to Varanasi. They were interested in Buddhism but Sri Lankan Air destroyed this budding development with their shoddy ground handling.

In addition, there were many retired very senior government servants, a professor, university lecturers, doctors and professionals in our group. Sri Lankan Air is lucky that no one used any influence over the incident then & there.  

I am copying this letter to the tour operator, BOC Travels, to provide necessary evidence & assistance in any inquiry to be held in this regard.

Thank You"

The officer in-charge of investigations wanted me to produce scanned copies of my Passport & Air ticket which I did promptly and awaiting their response.

කිත්සිරි ද සිල්වා wrote:Gate changes happen often due to unforeseen and unavoidable operational reasons. Sometimes, due to planning issues too.
How you deal with it will depend on the level of customer satisfaction.

Ethical Trader wrote:Here is the findings of the instigation conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority on this complaint. It took nearly one year for them to reply.

"Dear Mr..........,

I refer your complaint to the Civil Aviation Authority.

The Authority reviewed all documents pertaining to your complaint. Sri Lankan Airlines and Bank of Ceylon travels have also submitted documents on this matter.

Please be informed that the gate changes at the Airport were beyond the control of the airline and were due to operational requirements of the Airport.

Due to the aforesaid, We regret to  inform you that this Authority is  unable to proceed any further with this complaint"

The question now arises is whether the air traffic controllers can have their own way and who is responsible for supervising them?

?Any one who knows may clarify.    

Ethical Trader wrote:Given below is a complaint made by me to the Aviation authority SL recently;-

"Mr. H. M. C. Nimalasiri,
Director General,
Airport & Aviation Authority,
Sri Lanka.
23rd March, 2018

Dear Sir

Shoddy Ground Handling by Sri Lankan Air- UL 149 on 12th March 2018 & UL 150 19th March 2018 and Inconvenience Caused to Pilgrims

Recently, I had a very nasty experience with our national carrier Sri Lankan Air but still do not know what really led the national carrier to such low level. I am making this complaint to you, to investigate this unfortunate incident and take appropriate action within your authority.

On 12th March 2018, 39 passengers in our group including me were at the airport to get the Varanasi flight-UL 149. This trip was organized by BOC Travels.

First, we were told the flight is late by one hour, the usual security clearance (scanning hand luggage, phone, belt, shoes) completed and we were waiting at Gate No: 1 to board the flight.

Then, suddenly we were told that we should to go to Gate No: 10 upstairs situated at quiet a distance. The security guys there started the usual security procedure again- scanning hand luggage, phone, belt and shoes and we did not make any fuss because we were Buddhist pilgrims and then we were waiting there to get the flight.

To our amazement, we were asked to go to Gate No: 1 downstairs again. We obliged but requested not subject us to any security check as it was done twice but the security guys told us that they have no power to waive it off. After the hectic procedure was completed we were waiting to board the flight there.

Then they announced that we should go to Gate No:10 again, to board the flight. Thereafter, the same hectic procedure was followed without any apology.    

More than half the group was over 60 years of age; there were about four persons who used wheel chairs. They were panting after the long walks up & down, standing in long queues, lifting bags and the hectic security procedures. Rest of the crowd too was dead tired and angry. I asked an Air Lanka officer what led to this pathetic situation but he vanished without any convincing answer.

After the same hectic procedure was completed, we were able to board the flight very late, tired and angry.

On 19th instant too, on our way back, we were led to Gate No: 1 at Varanasi Airport after the security clearance. Their security procedure was not that strict.  When we were waiting to board the flight at Gate No:1, we were told to proceed to Gate No: 3 upstairs. The distance was a fairly long & hectic one for the elderly people who were already tired after the eight day pilgrimage. We were lucky that we were not subjected to the same security procedure there too, like in Sri Lanka. That day too we boarded the flight late.    

Sri Lankan Air, tested our patience very badly and destroyed our very motive of the pilgrimage as if we were beggars traveling free of charge. They completely forgot that we paid for the ticket with our life long savings. No plausible reason was given for the mishap.      

On our way back, our group leader was told by an anonymous officer on board, that usually such things happen when a Minister travels in the same flight. If this information is true, Air Lanka Chairman should resign for the very reason of mismanaging the air line under political influence. But the thing I still do not understand is the reason for sending us from pillar to post three times! One time would have been more than enough if that was the real reason to deviate.

Authorities including the regulator should investigate this cancerous development as this could be a regular occurrence.  The officers who succumbed to political influence and the Politician who involved in it should be exposed and action should be taken by appropriate authorities without delay. If not, the authorities too will fall into the same shoddy category as the corrupt Sri Lankan Air guys.  

The damage done to the National Carrier and the country at large by this unfortunate incidence internationally was aggravated by the very reason of the presence of two Americans in our group.  One was a reputed journalist at HBO. This is the first time in history that foreigners joined this pilgrimage to Varanasi. They were interested in Buddhism but Sri Lankan Air destroyed this budding development with their shoddy ground handling.

In addition, there were many retired very senior government servants, a professor, university lecturers, doctors and professionals in our group. Sri Lankan Air is lucky that no one used any influence over the incident then & there.  

I am copying this letter to the tour operator, BOC Travels, to provide necessary evidence & assistance in any inquiry to be held in this regard.

Thank You"

The officer in-charge of investigations wanted me to produce scanned copies of my Passport & Air ticket which I did promptly and awaiting their response.

Ethical Trader wrote:?But can such thing happen three times within an hour for the same flight. I think its due to incompetence of air traffic controllers.

කිත්සිරි ද සිල්වා wrote:Gate changes happen often due to unforeseen and unavoidable operational reasons. Sometimes, due to planning issues too.
How you deal with it will depend on the level of customer satisfaction.

Ethical Trader wrote:Here is the findings of the instigation conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority on this complaint. It took nearly one year for them to reply.

"Dear Mr..........,

I refer your complaint to the Civil Aviation Authority.

The Authority reviewed all documents pertaining to your complaint. Sri Lankan Airlines and Bank of Ceylon travels have also submitted documents on this matter.

Please be informed that the gate changes at the Airport were beyond the control of the airline and were due to operational requirements of the Airport.

Due to the aforesaid, We regret to  inform you that this Authority is  unable to proceed any further with this complaint"

The question now arises is whether the air traffic controllers can have their own way and who is responsible for supervising them?

?Any one who knows may clarify.    

Ethical Trader wrote:Given below is a complaint made by me to the Aviation authority SL recently;-

"Mr. H. M. C. Nimalasiri,
Director General,
Airport & Aviation Authority,
Sri Lanka.
23rd March, 2018

Dear Sir

Shoddy Ground Handling by Sri Lankan Air- UL 149 on 12th March 2018 & UL 150 19th March 2018 and Inconvenience Caused to Pilgrims

Recently, I had a very nasty experience with our national carrier Sri Lankan Air but still do not know what really led the national carrier to such low level. I am making this complaint to you, to investigate this unfortunate incident and take appropriate action within your authority.

On 12th March 2018, 39 passengers in our group including me were at the airport to get the Varanasi flight-UL 149. This trip was organized by BOC Travels.

First, we were told the flight is late by one hour, the usual security clearance (scanning hand luggage, phone, belt, shoes) completed and we were waiting at Gate No: 1 to board the flight.

Then, suddenly we were told that we should to go to Gate No: 10 upstairs situated at quiet a distance. The security guys there started the usual security procedure again- scanning hand luggage, phone, belt and shoes and we did not make any fuss because we were Buddhist pilgrims and then we were waiting there to get the flight.

To our amazement, we were asked to go to Gate No: 1 downstairs again. We obliged but requested not subject us to any security check as it was done twice but the security guys told us that they have no power to waive it off. After the hectic procedure was completed we were waiting to board the flight there.

Then they announced that we should go to Gate No:10 again, to board the flight. Thereafter, the same hectic procedure was followed without any apology.    

More than half the group was over 60 years of age; there were about four persons who used wheel chairs. They were panting after the long walks up & down, standing in long queues, lifting bags and the hectic security procedures. Rest of the crowd too was dead tired and angry. I asked an Air Lanka officer what led to this pathetic situation but he vanished without any convincing answer.

After the same hectic procedure was completed, we were able to board the flight very late, tired and angry.

On 19th instant too, on our way back, we were led to Gate No: 1 at Varanasi Airport after the security clearance. Their security procedure was not that strict.  When we were waiting to board the flight at Gate No:1, we were told to proceed to Gate No: 3 upstairs. The distance was a fairly long & hectic one for the elderly people who were already tired after the eight day pilgrimage. We were lucky that we were not subjected to the same security procedure there too, like in Sri Lanka. That day too we boarded the flight late.    

Sri Lankan Air, tested our patience very badly and destroyed our very motive of the pilgrimage as if we were beggars traveling free of charge. They completely forgot that we paid for the ticket with our life long savings. No plausible reason was given for the mishap.      

On our way back, our group leader was told by an anonymous officer on board, that usually such things happen when a Minister travels in the same flight. If this information is true, Air Lanka Chairman should resign for the very reason of mismanaging the air line under political influence. But the thing I still do not understand is the reason for sending us from pillar to post three times! One time would have been more than enough if that was the real reason to deviate.

Authorities including the regulator should investigate this cancerous development as this could be a regular occurrence.  The officers who succumbed to political influence and the Politician who involved in it should be exposed and action should be taken by appropriate authorities without delay. If not, the authorities too will fall into the same shoddy category as the corrupt Sri Lankan Air guys.  

The damage done to the National Carrier and the country at large by this unfortunate incidence internationally was aggravated by the very reason of the presence of two Americans in our group.  One was a reputed journalist at HBO. This is the first time in history that foreigners joined this pilgrimage to Varanasi. They were interested in Buddhism but Sri Lankan Air destroyed this budding development with their shoddy ground handling.

In addition, there were many retired very senior government servants, a professor, university lecturers, doctors and professionals in our group. Sri Lankan Air is lucky that no one used any influence over the incident then & there.  

I am copying this letter to the tour operator, BOC Travels, to provide necessary evidence & assistance in any inquiry to be held in this regard.

Thank You"

The officer in-charge of investigations wanted me to produce scanned copies of my Passport & Air ticket which I did promptly and awaiting their response.

Ethical Trader wrote:?But can such thing happen three times within an hour for the same flight. I think its due to incompetence of air traffic controllers.

කිත්සිරි ද සිල්වා wrote:Gate changes happen often due to unforeseen and unavoidable operational reasons. Sometimes, due to planning issues too.
How you deal with it will depend on the level of customer satisfaction.

Ethical Trader wrote:Here is the findings of the instigation conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority on this complaint. It took nearly one year for them to reply.

"Dear Mr..........,

I refer your complaint to the Civil Aviation Authority.

The Authority reviewed all documents pertaining to your complaint. Sri Lankan Airlines and Bank of Ceylon travels have also submitted documents on this matter.

Please be informed that the gate changes at the Airport were beyond the control of the airline and were due to operational requirements of the Airport.

Due to the aforesaid, We regret to  inform you that this Authority is  unable to proceed any further with this complaint"

The question now arises is whether the air traffic controllers can have their own way and who is responsible for supervising them?

?Any one who knows may clarify.    

Ethical Trader wrote:Given below is a complaint made by me to the Aviation authority SL recently;-

"Mr. H. M. C. Nimalasiri,
Director General,
Airport & Aviation Authority,
Sri Lanka.
23rd March, 2018

Dear Sir

Shoddy Ground Handling by Sri Lankan Air- UL 149 on 12th March 2018 & UL 150 19th March 2018 and Inconvenience Caused to Pilgrims

Recently, I had a very nasty experience with our national carrier Sri Lankan Air but still do not know what really led the national carrier to such low level. I am making this complaint to you, to investigate this unfortunate incident and take appropriate action within your authority.

On 12th March 2018, 39 passengers in our group including me were at the airport to get the Varanasi flight-UL 149. This trip was organized by BOC Travels.

First, we were told the flight is late by one hour, the usual security clearance (scanning hand luggage, phone, belt, shoes) completed and we were waiting at Gate No: 1 to board the flight.

Then, suddenly we were told that we should to go to Gate No: 10 upstairs situated at quiet a distance. The security guys there started the usual security procedure again- scanning hand luggage, phone, belt and shoes and we did not make any fuss because we were Buddhist pilgrims and then we were waiting there to get the flight.

To our amazement, we were asked to go to Gate No: 1 downstairs again. We obliged but requested not subject us to any security check as it was done twice but the security guys told us that they have no power to waive it off. After the hectic procedure was completed we were waiting to board the flight there.

Then they announced that we should go to Gate No:10 again, to board the flight. Thereafter, the same hectic procedure was followed without any apology.    

More than half the group was over 60 years of age; there were about four persons who used wheel chairs. They were panting after the long walks up & down, standing in long queues, lifting bags and the hectic security procedures. Rest of the crowd too was dead tired and angry. I asked an Air Lanka officer what led to this pathetic situation but he vanished without any convincing answer.

After the same hectic procedure was completed, we were able to board the flight very late, tired and angry.

On 19th instant too, on our way back, we were led to Gate No: 1 at Varanasi Airport after the security clearance. Their security procedure was not that strict.  When we were waiting to board the flight at Gate No:1, we were told to proceed to Gate No: 3 upstairs. The distance was a fairly long & hectic one for the elderly people who were already tired after the eight day pilgrimage. We were lucky that we were not subjected to the same security procedure there too, like in Sri Lanka. That day too we boarded the flight late.    

Sri Lankan Air, tested our patience very badly and destroyed our very motive of the pilgrimage as if we were beggars traveling free of charge. They completely forgot that we paid for the ticket with our life long savings. No plausible reason was given for the mishap.      

On our way back, our group leader was told by an anonymous officer on board, that usually such things happen when a Minister travels in the same flight. If this information is true, Air Lanka Chairman should resign for the very reason of mismanaging the air line under political influence. But the thing I still do not understand is the reason for sending us from pillar to post three times! One time would have been more than enough if that was the real reason to deviate.

Authorities including the regulator should investigate this cancerous development as this could be a regular occurrence.  The officers who succumbed to political influence and the Politician who involved in it should be exposed and action should be taken by appropriate authorities without delay. If not, the authorities too will fall into the same shoddy category as the corrupt Sri Lankan Air guys.  

The damage done to the National Carrier and the country at large by this unfortunate incidence internationally was aggravated by the very reason of the presence of two Americans in our group.  One was a reputed journalist at HBO. This is the first time in history that foreigners joined this pilgrimage to Varanasi. They were interested in Buddhism but Sri Lankan Air destroyed this budding development with their shoddy ground handling.

In addition, there were many retired very senior government servants, a professor, university lecturers, doctors and professionals in our group. Sri Lankan Air is lucky that no one used any influence over the incident then & there.  

I am copying this letter to the tour operator, BOC Travels, to provide necessary evidence & assistance in any inquiry to be held in this regard.

Thank You"

The officer in-charge of investigations wanted me to produce scanned copies of my Passport & Air ticket which I did promptly and awaiting their response.