Customer Service with a Smile: The Jetstar Way...

So, your baby has just died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome / SIDS while you were on a group holiday booked through Jetstar. You booked with Jetstar to maximise the benefits of cheap flights and accommodation package deals. You are looking at changing your flights in order to deal with the tragedy within the relative safety of your own home with family and friends. Unfortunately, you find out that changing your flights and leaving your holiday on the Gold Coast early is certain to be problematic. You call Jetstar to organise the changing of flight details only to be told you will have to prove that your baby is dead or you will be slugged with AUD 600 in additional fees and charges.

Jetstar demands that these fees be paid upfront before you fly. According to Jetstar, they are going to contact the family and they are to be fully reimbursed. However, that really is not the customer service point is it? Seriously, how many people do you know who are going to call an airline or front up at the ticket counter and try and claim that they need to change their flights because one of their children has died of SIDS if it did not happen? I appreciate there are people out there that might, but they are in the minority, aren't they?

Jetstar has argued along the lines of "We deeply sympathise with our passengers in such situations and seek to be as flexible and accommodating as possible." Yeah, right! It is all about the dollars and cents. There is no compassion or sympathy exhibited by Jetstar in this instance. And, the above statement might make them feel better about themselves, but it shouldn't. Neither should this justification be considered valid as representative of sympathising with passengers suffering tragedy in their families "If documentation is unable to be provided at the time, change fees and fare difference applies — however, the amount is fully reimbursed once the documentation is provided."

Jetstar really should be ashamed of themselves in regards to the way this family was treated.

I am not going to fly Jetstar on principle. My principles are that people are more important than bottom line dollars and cents. The simple reality here is that these were extraordinary circumstances and cutting this family some slack in their moment of grief was not going to send Jetstar bankrupt. If they do not care enough for the people that pay their salaries, then I do not see any reason for me to support an organisation like that.

Thus endeth today's rant and rail.

Schapelle Corby -- Remissions and Mental Health...

The latest in the Schapelle Corby saga has seen her climb a water tower near her cell block in an attempt to escape the prying eyes of her fellow inmates. Corby's mental woes have been well documented, as have her annual trips to the hospital in an effort to get her mental health issues sorted out. However, this latest drama suggests that things are getting worse rather than better.

Her family even suggest as much. Mercedes has said that Schapelle is seeing a psychiatrist and still taking medication. This is not so bad, but then Mercedes goes on to say that every day is difficult and that Schapelle does not look good.

It is hard to know whether to feel sorry for Schapelle. The sympathy or empathy debate really hinges a lot on whether you believe that she is guilty of the crime for which she has been convicted. If you do believe she is guilty, then it is likely you are in a camp which says, "if you do the crime, you do the time", and in any event, "prison is not supposed to be summer camp or a picnic". You might though also be in the camp that thinks she is guilty, but that 20 years for smuggling 4 kilos of wacky weed was too severe a sentence.

I think that I am in the latter camp.

There is some good news on the horizon for Schapelle, and I guess that good news is relative. It appears that prison authorities are recommending that she be granted a 4-month remission as part of the Indonesian Independence Day celebrations. It might seem much but one needs to be thankful for small mercies. Over time, these remissions build up and can end up knocking years of your original sentence.

I tend to feel if Schapelle can keep a low profile over the next couple of years, preferably with little or no publicity, then an Australian government approach to their Indonesian colleagues with respect to an early release for Schapelle might be viewed favourably. It might require an admission of guilt if it is to be in the form of a pardon. This might be preferable to Schapelle spending any more time in jail than is absolutely necessary. In her fragile mental state perhaps now is not the time to be standing on principle but rather working to get her home.

Favourite Movies

One of my all time favourite movies is Chariots of Fire. I have a few favourites, in terms of movies, if one can have more than one favourite? I love the Vangelis soundtrack, I have always found the soundtrack to be inspirational and load it onto all things that play music and it is therefore on my iPod. The movies is a favourite because it is a feel good film but one with a message. Despite the liberties that have been taken with some of the facts, which I could list but won't (no need to bore you with the detail).

Many might argue that there is a Christian message to be had in the film, but I think the message is a much broader one; it is one of principles and commitment to an outcome and perhaps even a criticism of the anti-semitic behaviours of the time.

I admire people who know what their principles are and are able to stick to them no matter what the personal cost. I truly believe in karma and that sticking to your principles will ultimately be rewarded. I know that sticking to my guns (or principles) has cost me in the past and will undoubtedly cost me again in the future. Yet, there are some things that just have to be done.

Life is undoubtedly what we make it, so it rings true that the power comes from within, whether you attribute this to a God or some other power then so be it. However, if it makes you a better person then what can possibly be wrong with that.

The above portrait is of Eric Liddell, the Flying Scotsman.

Vangelis' soundtrack can be found below:



And of Eric Liddell's 400m race:



Enjoy!

The Right to Vote -- "Golput"

There is a lot of talk at the moment in Indonesia in the lead up to the next election of "golput". Golput is the abbreviation of "golongan putih" or the white group. In this context it is a group that will exercise their democratic right not to vote and therefore remain white or unstained by the process.

The idea of not voting, at least for me, undervalues the point of the democratic process. In the Indonesian context it is disrespectful to the many people who fought and died for the right to live free in a functioning democracy. Even if you vote and the people you vote for do not win, at least you have stood up, you have been counted, and you have expressed your will. Not voting for me ensures that the status quo remains and that the system never changes. I see little honour in being able to sit back and say, "it's not my fault because I did not vote for that person as a matter of fact I did not vote at all!"

With 34 political parties running in the 2009 election (at the present time, this may change -- different post for later) there surely must be one person that you could vote for who is most likely to be your voice in parliament. They might not win but, once again, at least you expressed your principles through your vote.

This piece is not a lecture or sermon to the masses, but rather personal musings on why I vote and the reasons that I see voting to be important. It is also a chance for me to express some exasperation at why people do not vote. It has always amused me that the Gettysburg Address talks about "government of the people, by the people, and for the people" yet Americans en masse tend not to turn out to vote. It is bizarre to me that Presidents can be elected to the most powerful position in the US with the support of less than 50% of those who are of voting age. I guess you get what you vote for or more importantly what you don't vote for.

Hence my basic problem with the idea of golput. If you are not going to engage in the democratic process of elections then why complain when you end up with the status quo. I think that if you want to complain then you need to have taken the time to get to a polling station and express your hopes and desires for the future of your country. Golput strikes me as a back seat driver without a license telling the driver how to drive.

Truth be told this post was just going to be the following quote, but as usual I have gotten carried away in my little moment. Nevertheless, this is something that is worth reflecting on:

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."

-- John Quincy Adams

Robes and Masks -- Similarities and Differences

I feel that I need to make this post. If it offends, then so be it, I have very strong views on this based on the principles that I live my life by. Those of you that know me, will know this of me. I have never shied away from calling things as I see them and for what they are. This post is what it is!

There are no religious undertones here and there is no criticism of any religion. The criticism are directed solely at the organizations represented in this post! However, there is a comparison to be made and each person who reads this post (if any) will make that comparison based on their own individual world view.

I am a person who struggles for peace and tolerance. I am one who prefers dialogue and compromise (not of principles) to achieve goals.

I reject intolerance on all levels and do not countenance the friendship or favor of people who preach intolerance or hold views that are objectionable to me personally.

The two pictures I have posted here represent two organizations that I find objectionable because of the intolerance that they preach and code that they live by!

This is my personal opinion and feel free to criticize me for it.

The Islamic Defenders Front (Front Pembela Islam / FPI) is an organization claiming to represent the Islamic faith and preach hatred, incitement to murder, and persecution of those who hold differing views. The FPI has a history of violence.

The Ku Klux Klan or the KKK are an organization supposedly steeped deeply in Christian faith yet preach racial hatred and segregation not only for people of colour but also for non-Christian faiths and have a history of murder and violence in the name of their cause.

Maybe you can name instances where both organizations have done good for a local community. However, this in no way absolves them of the violence and mayhem they support elsewhere.

Just a personal musing. As I said I hold principles that reject intolerance in all its forms and irrespective of who holds the views, I will reject them. It is the way I have been brought up -- I embrace diversity.