Write to the editor

Recently, a housemaid jumped to her death and another housemaid was attacked by two men and left for dead. These along with dozens of other similar stories indicate a serious problem. Moreover, there is ZERO SUPPORT for the housemaids of Bahrain to heal from past trauma or to alleviate any current stress that they are dealing with. As a contributing factor; mental health support is way out of their financial budget.

As a trained coach and therapist, I am putting on a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy workshop free of charge. This is an easy-to-learn skill set that can alleviate the kinds of suffering that is associated with such trauma.

The free workshop will take place on Friday, January 17 (as Friday is the general day off for housemaids). It will be between 9am and noon. There is space for 20 people.

This workshop is for any housemaid that is currently suffering from any type of emotional trauma. Housemaids can call me on 17002320/ 39931399 to secure a place.

Kelly Armatage,
Healer, coach, speaker, published writer, seminar facilitator.
Email: info@kellyarmatage.com Website: www.kellyarmatage.com

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When my aged mother agreed to visit us once again, we were truly ecstatic. Without thinking twice we booked her on Gulf Air, the national carrier of this beautiful island.

It was very convenient for her to fly on an airline which does not have any stops in the middle where she may have to change planes at odd times as her arthritis has made her movement extremely slow and painful. That’s why we had asked for special assistance – in other words, wheelchair assistance.

Her journey from Chennai to Bahrain on Gulf Air was uneventful as she arrived on October 11. We had already made her return ticket for January 7, 2014, as the visit visas are not extended beyond three months.

On January 4, I visited the Gulf Air office at Seef Mall and waited for my turn in vain as they were not calling the token numbers. Two of the counters were without any customers and the staff members appeared to be busy chatting with one another without calling the waiting customers.

I decided to try my luck with one and he gave me a curt look probably for disturbing him! When I explained to him that I have come for re-confirmation of my mum’s travel he seemed not to understand. He asked me, reconfirmation, what do you mean?

I patiently explained to him that my mother is indeed travelling on the 7th and that she requires special assistance, in terms of providing a wheelchair. He said that’s fine and vaguely gave me back my paper after peering at his computer screen.

I went home happy about accomplishing this task, without knowing, in Gulf Air, it does not mean anything.

On the night of the 6th, I tried a web check-in. After several attempts, finally the request seemed to go through, but Gulf Air’s portal instructed me to go to the check-in counter and do the check-in as my mum has a special requirement.

On the evening of the 7th, three hours before the flight was set to leave, we bid farewells and set off for the airport.

I took special permission from security to accompany her to the check-in counter. We wrapped her luggage with a plastic film for protection of the baggage from rough handling. At the counter the agent asked us to go to the customer care counter. I asked him, why? He said that the flight is ‘overbooked’ and there are no seats available.

I knew that something was amiss and headed to the customer service counter. The man there did not mince his words … the flight was overbooked and the airline cannot accommodate anyone else.

My protests explaining that she is an elderly diabetic, a hypertensive and a Glaucoma patient aged 75, and that we had asked for special request etc. did not yield any results. He pointed to some of the other hapless passengers. A lady was going for her daughter’s wedding; a couple going on a short vacation with all the connecting journeys pre-booked. There were others too all wearing the same expression of helplessness and frustration.

Gulf Air staff members seemed to put the blame on their management saying that was its policy. They said that they will book all these passengers on the next flight, after 24 hours, and that they would give $300 as compensation.

Does Gulf Air expect anyone to fly with them again after such treatment? I am yet to understand this concept of overbooking. Isn’t it common sense to allot only the number of passengers’ equivalent to the number of seats on an aircraft? What is the use of reconfirming a booking if they turn away passengers when they show up at the airport? Moreover, don’t they have any considerations for the elderly, particularly those who have asked for special assistance? Is this the kind of help you offer such people?

Now I am enlightened as to why Gulf Air is a loss-making business.

Madan Mohan Ambat,
By email.

Editor’s note: A Gulf Air spokesman said: “Gulf Air truly regrets any inconvenience caused to our passengers, regarding the overbooked flight to Chennai on January 7, 2014.

“Gulf Air’s overbooking policy is in alignment with the booking policy of all other major international airlines and, while we endeavour to provide seats for all confirmed reservations made, in the event of an overbooked flight Gulf Air does offer denied boarding compensation and services for our passengers on a case-by-case basis. More information on these measures can be found at any Gulf Air airport counter or sales office – or by contacting Gulf Air’s customer care & service quality control department.

“We are committed to providing all our passengers with the best service throughout their journey with Gulf Air. This includes pre-flight procedures such as booking and confirmation of tickets. As such, we have taken your comments regarding our Gulf Air Seef Sales Office very seriously and instructed our dedicated customer care department to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure the appropriate action is taken. We would like to request that you send your contact details to customer.care@gulfair.com so we can communicate with you directly.

“Once again, we truly apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

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THERE has been a slight change of plan regarding the dress code for the John Hartson Dinner at the British Club Bahrain tomorrow evening.

Due to the over indulgences of the festive holiday period and the fact that many people cannot fit into their dinner jackets at the moment, the dress code has been changed to Smart/ Casual to allow for the elastic waistband trousers received as Christmas presents to be put to the test.

Tickets are priced at BD23 per head and the event is sponsored by Gulf Brands International.

Andrew Savage,
Chairman.

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It was a wonderful surprise to see the article about my son Shane’s mission to help those affected by the conflict in Syria published in GulfWeekly on Christmas day.

We believe the clothing and blankets arrived in Jordan on December 26. The refugees will certainly need them as the temperatures are extremely cold there.

Shane is hoping that it will give some momentum for further fundraising in the New Year.

Caroline McCarthy, Bahrain.