Being treated like a ********

I had the worst experience with Emirates airlines this last week. Never in my whole life have I ever been treated like this. As a seafarer I fly long haul international flights quite often. So upon flying to London I had a connecting flight from SA to Dubai, Dubai to London. Joined the check in queue in OR Tambo international airport, eventually got to the front of the line, provided the required documents the the airline staff and they all seemed happy with what I have shown and let me through. I had a lovely flight from Johannesburg to Dubai, and thats where it hit the fan, I proceeded to my boarding gate for my connecting flight, provided my passport and Seamans book and of course now there is a problem, they were not happy with my documentation. So as I have a seamans book its not deemed necessary to have a visa, due to the fact that I am just joining my ship and therefore only have to provide a valid passport and my Seamans book. Fair enough, after and hour of waiting the gentleman helping me was unable to assist me further and I missed my flight. I was escorted into a ***** waiting area to await further instructions. Whilst all this im on the phone with the agent who helps us in these situations and she asked if I can be rescheduled for a later flight to London while she can send more paperwork or documents to help the case. An officer eventually came out and told me it doesn’t matter what I say or do, I will be denied entering the country and will be deported, my heart sank… after eventually realising there isn't much to be done I accept my fate. About 2 hours later I was privately escorted into the plane to my seat, where they took my passport and had it for the whole duration of the flight, upon landing in SA I was instructed to stay seated until the plane is empty, then a officer came to escort me to a holding facility in the immigrations office. So now I have 17 hours of flight behind me, I am sore, tired and frustrated. Something that the Emirates team should have noticed in OR Tambo is now costing me all this hassle.

I was in this small waiting room filled with other people, no Covid Protocol nothing. I was yelled at by the immigrations official when I asked for an update as to what is taking so long. Treated like a ****bag and a ********, for doing absolutely nothing wrong, its honestly sickening. After 3 hours of waiting I marched back to the little office and asked for an update, where I was once again told to “shut-up and take my seat”. Not long after this My passport was chucked to me and said i could go.

This is the worst experience I have ever had with Emirates, and the emigration side of them, I will never ever use this company again.

You should be ashamed of yourselves and send the people working for you in Johannesburg for some training because they have no idea what they are doing.