Unacceptable Service - forced to select star rating - should be -10!

<p>On Wednesday 28/06/2017 I was booked to fly from Dbn to PE at 09:50 to arrive 11:10 on flight SA1336.</p> <p>At about 09:30, they advised that the flight was delayed to 10:30 due to the inbound flight being late. 10:30 came and went and no flight arrived and we were not given any further information. The passenagers waiting at the boarding gates, started asking the ground staff for information as we were not sure what was going on. We were then told that there is a maintenance problem with the plane and they were waiting to hear if it was going to be repaired or if they were going to send another aircraft. At 11:30 we were told that the 09:50 flight was cancelled and we could get our tickets refunded or we could catch the afternoon flight due to depart at 13:35. I had a AGM to attend on 29/06/2017 and had to visit three properties between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday afternoon before the AGM. I had just driven from Port Shepstone (200km one way). If I opted to cancel my flight, I would have to drive all the way back only to have to drive back to the airport on Thursday again to ensure I make the AGM on 29/06/2017. </p> <p>I was therefore forced to opt for the afternoon flight. </p> <p>This flight was also delayed - for who knows what reason and we only ended up taking off at about 14:20 to land in PE at 15:30. I now had to drive through to Sedgefield - woman alone on a road that I was not familar with. Ended up arriving at 19:15</p> <p>On Friday 30/06/2017 I was booked to fly from PEto DBN at 11:45 to arrive 13:00 on flight SA1337.</p> <p>We boarded the plane and I was releaved to see that the flight appeared to be on time.</p> <p>Once the aircraft doors were closed, the captain politely announced "For those of you who have not heard, we are doing a quick stop over in East Lodon to pick up stranded passengers". I nearly had a heart attack! At no point had any of the ground staff mentioned this to me. Fair enough, I did check myself in on line and printed my own boarding pass, but I passed through security and the boarding gates and nobody said a word to me!? How is this possible!? My phone was off and I could not let my family who are always worried about me when I travel, know that I would be delayed.</p> <p>Once we landed in East London and the doors were opened while we waited for the "stranded passengers" I quickly alerted my husband that I would be arriving much later than anticipated and he must not worry about me as I would arrive home much later. (I still had to drive back to Port Shepstone from King Shaka).</p> <p>Upon arrival at King Shaka, my bag (which I had handed in at the bottom of the stairs when I boarded the plane in PE) was no where to be found. The staff advised that I should go to baggage claim. When I handed my bag in at PE, there was no ticket put on my bag (like they normally do - and you get the torn half) and I specifically asked the male staff member, who rep**** "don't worry". </p> <p>My bag was evention found at baggage claim.</p> <p>My complaints are therefore as follows:</p> <p>1. I believe that in both instances, SAA did not have a full flight and to save on costs, they promptly combined flights, regardless of passengers plans and work commitments. In both instances, we ended up combining two flights into one plane and in both instances, there were only 2 seats vacant. </p> <p>2. Why was no plane sent to fetch me when I was "stranded" at Durban airport on Wednesday for 4 1/2 hours? I had to wait for the afternoon flight.</p> <p>3. How can changes to a flight be made without first consulting with the passengers? What about plans and travel arrangements already made? (Specifically refering to the PE to DBN flight that suddenly became a stop over flight). I particularly book non stop flight for personal preference, but then I am forced to do a stop in East London. </p> <p>4. What about your security protocol. The airports are forever announcing that unidentified bags will be disposed of. My bag was not labled and there was no way that I could be contacted if my bag did go missing. My bag also had valuables in, including my GPS and tablet, due to the fact that I knew it would be with me all the time. I bet you that I would not be compensated or reimbursed if something went missing from my bag.......</p> <p> </p> <p>SAA will not see me on their flights again. I am a Regional Manager and travel extensivley with tight timelines. I can not loose time sitting at airports for extended periods picking my nose while SAA sort out their ****!</p> <p> </p> <p>To date, I have not even received an apology for any inconvenience caused. Shows you where SAA's priority lies.</p>