My Journey Home

It was a long hour flight. Left Auckland at 1pm and reach KL at 1am Auckland time (which is 8pm Malaysian time). The journey was not pleasant. It all started at the check-in counter. My luggage was overweight. The normal allowance is 20kg but they usually allow up to 30kg. But sigh, they came up with a new ruling (which I came to know yesterday only)..the max allowance is 25kg. So, I was 5kg extra and the kiwi fella was telling me, I might need to pay for the extra baggage.

I told him it is ok and I will try my luck at my parents' check-in counter. They changed their mind to return early due to the weather. My parents flew Air NZ and I was with MAS, so it was kinda like 10-15 counters away. After checking-in my 2 luggage bags, I ran to the Air NZ counter and gave them a box full of my mum's purchases of biscuits. They managed to check-in my box but they went above their allowance by 2kg. So, they stuffed the rest of the stuff into their hand-carry.

Their plane depart an hour earlier than mine so I was left wondering the terminal alone. I felt a rush of sadness ... the weather was awful but I quite like this place. Going back to Malaysia means I have to face with traffic jam and the heat. It is nice not to work and can just wander freely. Sigh...

Boarding the plane, there's another small weighing scale waiting. It is to weigh passenger's hand-carry. Anything more than 7kg will get an instant fine of NZ200. Cool!

The plane was not full - it was not even quarter full. One of the steward even shouted with joy when he saw the back of the plane is empty. I still don't understand how MAS is rewarded with the Best Cabin Staff. The cabin crew were sulky and they don't even smile. I asked for a pen three times and I never see it. One of the steward were strutting the aisle like Carlson Kressley of Queer Eye fame. I think the MAS academy forgot to remind the cabin crew that the aisle is not a runway. And I wonder whether it is his height or is his nature to glare at people. During dinner, I asked for blue cod and I got a chicken. The stewardess didn't look happy to admit the mistake. She kinda shouted at the guy sitting at the other row not to open cos it is wrong and she will change it.

I hate to say this but I think the poor service has got something to do with me being an Asian. They were very nice to the non-Asian. Must I bleach myself in order to obtain the same service by the non-Asian? Or maybe someone should remind the cabin crew that they are Asian too. They also should be aware that, with existence of an online feedback on their website - people can feedback. And that's what I did.