RUDE AND BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE AT MMABATHO AIRPORT

<p>I am angry beyond words at how the Supervisor at Check-in at Mafikeng Airport is treating people. Her name is Phenyo. On Monday my Mom took in one of our family friends who is an elderly women to the airport and they arrived at 15h25 and the flight was leaving at 16h10. When they arrived the other lady wanted to check her in but the Supervisor refused saying they were late. I have seen people check-in at the same airport 10minutes before the scheduled time of departure and you could hear from the comments that it was a norm. I do not mind to disclose the dates of this incident and the passengers I am talking about. But that’s not the point now but the fact that the elderly lady was sent back home and she was on time, mind you she was travelling to Johannesburg because she had a doctor’s appointment. She then had to catch an 08h45 flight today, You can imagine how traumatized the old lady is to the point that we had to collect her at 06h30 because she was panicking. Today and to my surprise they had changed attitudes, they where all of a sudden friendly because the plane was delayed. I got angry because this old lady is sick and if it wasn’t for their behaviour on Monday she won’t have to be out in the morning in the cold weather in her condition. I picked up the phone and called Mafikeng airport to talk to Phenyo to get a clear understanding of what happened on Monday. Her response was that the pilot said they must close check-in he wants to leave. I got angry cause I failed to understand that this was not a taxi. There where protocols to be followed. She then said “eish, whuu ee ee” and hanged up the phone in my ear. Is this how SAA treat their clients in small towns? Does the stuff do as they please because they know no one will say anything in small towns? Do the employees of SAA own the airport in Mafikeng and people should be aware that if you scheduled to fly at a certain time you might arrive to find that your flight has left because the pilot felt he wanted to leave? This you won’t see happening at OR Tambo the many times I have flown from Johannesburg to Cape Town, a much bigger and busier airport. The staffs there is always willing to help, but the stuff here feels like they own the place. I am disgusted especially because this was done to a sickly elderly woman. Now that is not all, now the alternative flight she was put in today did not arrive and they have been booked a taxi to take them to Johannesburg. I mean really guys is this how SAA is treating people?? It’s sickening that old lady is been treated like this and she is at their mercy because she has to be in Johannesburg for a doctor’s appointment.</p>