A Close Encounter with Kiasu Travellers

Ever encountered weird travellers with crazy behaviour at the airport? I had - in fact, loads of shitty encounters to share with you.

Not too long ago, I was at KLIA - LCCT waiting to board an Air Asia flight (Malaysia version no-frill airline) to Bangkok with Kay. We got to the boarding gate rather early (about 45 minutes before departure time) and I was sitting there reading my book.

Then, all of a sudden, a family of 5 or 6 people walked into the boarding gate area. There were like 3 or 4 children, accompanied by 2 ladies (must have been their mum). The ladies must be housewives – as evident and/or suggest by their choice of fashion – worn-out t-shirt and short-pants, slippers as footwear choice and a plastic bags as their hand luggage.

What caught my attention wasn’t their fashion as I couldn’t give a two-hoot about what they wear – so long as they are wearing something – that would be a great favour to society. Anyway, when the family walked into the boarding gate area, they walk straight up to the gate. And I thought, what are these people doing? The airline hasn’t called for boarding yet but the family of travellers seems to put up an energetic show of enthusiasms by standing in front of the boarding gate.

After about 30 minutes of ‘excitement’ – standing in front of the boarding gate, the airline finally called for boarding and passengers began to get into the line. The family (despite being ahead of the game) decided to make sure that they are absolutely the first group to board the plane. They sort of hoard the frontline and began to make ‘small’ advancing movement. If it weren’t for the officer standing in front of the gate, I am sure the family would have pushed their face against the glass door and might have force the door open.

The minute when they were ‘release’ from the boarding gate, they began to run. I was dumbfounded! What the fuck? - sorry for the profanity but I think they deserve no less than what I am going to say.

Hellooo…WWII is over. You don’t have to run to the plane as if you are a refugee! You are already in front of the line. No one is going to take your precious seat of yours. No wonder Kay’s dad told us that travelling on Air Asia is like travelling like a refugee.

I am just not sure why can’t these people be more mature when it comes to simple things like getting on a plane. OK, maybe they want to sit together and since Air Asia is operating on a free-sitting basis, it would make sense to be ahead of the line. But to run even when you are ahead, that is just plain ‘Kiasu’.

I am not sure where they eventually sit on the plane, but after all the standing and running, I hope they get what they want! In fact, I think they should fart at their ‘prize’ seat to mark their fucking territory for all the effort they have put in.

Coming soon!

It's been a while since I have updated anything.

I was really busy and the old man was in London recently, hence the lack development. Nevertheless, I've done what any good son would have done to provide his father the pleasure of visiting London and the rest of Europe...

Cuming coming soon...

What’s in London?

Kay just bought some new accessories for her SLR camera. So we went out to Green Park and St. James Park during the Easter Holiday weekends to try out her new toy. Here is some of the cool photos.

Out of service (update III)

The lack of update since my last post would have indicated that I have successfully boarded the plane and arrived safely at my client's place. I'm sure you have a few question right? I have compiled a top three FAQ for your convenience.

How was the trip?

Simply put it, it was work, work work.

Least you visit a new country. How was the country like?

Whilst technically, I am at another country, I have to admit that I did not have any chance to visit places. Apart from the 15 minutes sunlight (the journey from my hotel to the client's office) I have not seen anything else from where I sleep and/or work.

Will you be going back there again?

Yes...

Out of service (update II)

When you see this entry, you would have figured that I've got problems with my flight again. Just last night I was telling all of you that I might not be able to update so often. Guess, what, I think I might be updating more often than last week. Anyway, here is what has happen.

I woke up this morning and notice the strong gust of wind together with heavy rain. No wonder my early morning flight was canceled. The weather forecast must have given the flight operator a heads-up on the upcoming violent weather. Nevertheless, I've already arranged for a afternoon flight and I am sure the weather would have improved by then.

I went early to office to sort out some administration stuff before leaving for my afternoon flight. And I regretted making that decision. In UK, when there's a report of strong wind or adverse weather condition, they mean it. Walking out of your house under a adverse weather condition is basically challenging mother nature. I walked out of my house with an umbrella (with hope that it would shield the rain) and my luggages. But that is only to realise that challenging mother nature was a bad idea as within 2 minutes, I was soaking wet. Great way to start the day.

I managed to get into my office with my morning hairdo wrecked by the wind and rain. Just when I was relaxing and enjoying my sausage roll I've got from the office canteen, I got a call to inform me again that my afternoon flight was canceled. Che bye!

I tried to arrange another flight for this evening just so to avoid having my work delayed. After 45 minutes negotiation with my Company's travel agent, I managed to get myself and the team on another flight this evening. And guess what? While I was in a cab on the way to the airport, I decided to check the flight departure and again, che bye, was informed that the evening flight was canceled.

So, now ladies and gentlemen. That was my last 20 hours of experience of traveling under adverse weather condition. If it makes it easier for you to imagine, picture me on Amazing Race channel with business suits runing up and down to get one destination to another. I have arranged for another flight for tomorrow morning. And like every episode of Amazing Race, will Bob be able to catch a flight out of London tomorrow? Or would he end up swearing 'Che bye' again? Stay tune...