Updated
October 11, 2003
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Mid air flight drama after delays
After the problems with the Sierra National flight from Gambia, Kabs has the UK version from SNA on his way home - It isdifficult to be impressed with this airline.
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GTS does not feel it can recommend this carrier without some reservations.
As a schedule carrier it is the policy to overbook, so your seat is not guaranteed.
With only a very small fleet of planes there seems to be very little flexability, so if there is a glitch in the service then expect delays.
If things are running smoothly (and you can never tell in advance) SNA are as good as any of the charter flights out to The Gambia and I thought they were better.
Kabs would not agree
Comments to GTS
I was so impressed with SNA when I had a flight with them last year, the food was good the plane was on time the staff were great so i had no problems suggesting that Kabs used Sierra National for his flight to the UK.
We called the UK SNA office at the start of the week to make sure Kabs did have a seat on the plane - All was OK, but please call on the thursday to check the flight times, we did that and the flight would be at 12.00.
Kabs friend Essa came tio the flat to stay the night and help Kabs to Victoria station on the Friday morning. Still everything is OK.
I call kabs at Gatwick all is fine he's checked in and ready to go.
First delay - the flight is delayed and will now leave at 2.00 pm, we laugh about Sierra National. the flight leaves more or less at this new time.
About 1 hour into the flight there is an announcement that a wing light has failed and the plane MUST return to Gatwick. The incident wasn't really a drama but witha plane filled with mainly West Africans, the atmosphere became tenser and tenser as prayers were recited to allah louder and louder - Kabs reckons there wasn'tone verse of the Koran that he had.t read by the time they landed.
Second delay - The plane would be repaired and leave again at 4 pm
Third delay - The plane would now leave at 8 pm (how long does it take to change a light bulb?)
Fourth delay - Everyone would be put in a hotel over night and the flight would be re scheduled for Saturday morning.
Kabs says the room was very nice and the meal and breakfast were nice as well - "but this airline is very rubbish Fran, please do not encourage our members to use it, they are full of problems"
The flight left at around 12.30pm just 24 hours late, so better than the 4 dau wait kabs had in Gambia 6 weeks ago.
Take note - SNA may not be too reliable, but they are fairly well priced for long stay, 'flight only' trips and Ihad a great flight with them in autmn 2002.
I will be travelling with Monarch again October 2003.
Please let me know any problems you have with Gambia flights.
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