POST
MartynSinclair
DATE
March 8 10:SimonS
April 28 12:Graemeo
May 6 16:Charles-P
March 8 10:Drsimon
March 8 10:Poshgirl
March 8 12:Posts from our online forumbusinesstraveller.asia/discussion
businesstraveller.asia18 IInbox
JUNE 2016
BABIES IN PREMIUM CABINS
I’m afraid I’m one of those who really don’t
want babies in premium cabins. My view
is simple: if I wouldn’t subject passengers
to my kids, other people should be just as
considerate. A baby couldn’t care less what
cabin it’s in.I tend to agree with GordyUK on this one.
Of course I have nothing against babies,
and I think we all were one at one stage. A
crying baby can be a pain, but it’s natural,
and the aircraft environment is not always
helpful to keeping a baby quiet, comfortable
and happy. My biggest issue is actually the
parents. Children will be children, but it is up
to the parents to ensure their children do not
disturb other passengers. A crying infant I
have patience for and feel for the parents. An
obnoxious, ill-behaved child I have no time
for and do hold the parents accountable.
If they don’t control their “brats” then I
will get the crew involved. Whatever their
parenting practices are in their own home
is their business, but on board an aircraft,
children must be controlled and behave, and
if not, then the parents must be dealt with or
removed from the aircraft (along with their
ill-behaved child).I can see both sides of this. A small child who
is crying is not necessarily a badly behaved
child, however running up and down the aisles
and generally misbehaving is unacceptable.
Unacceptable behaviour needs to be dealt
with by the cabin crew. The issue here is that
few crew really have a clue when it comes to
how to handle these situations. Sadly those
who are hoping for a baby-free environment
in premium cabins will be waiting a long time
as airlines wouldn’t give up the income or bite
the bad PR that might result.For me it’s not the kids I get frustrated
with, but the parents who think the cabin
is an extended playground. Sadly, a lot of
parents think changing a nappy in their seat,
accompanied by congratulatory comments
about how big/smelly/messy the content,
is a moment for sharing with a dozen
other strangers.I think the answer is in the name – “Business
Class” as in, travelling on business. You
wouldn’t take your kids to work or to a
business meeting. I’m a corporate travel
agent and have a high-end client whoregularly flies in first or business... while his
nanny and kids are in economy! I do think
customers should be allowed children in first
class – but at full fare. This would act as a
deterrent in itself. When you total up a family
of four travelling first class at full fare, they
might as well hire a private jet... or even buy
one if it’s a regular need!TRAVELLING WITH MEDICATION
I know there are some countries where
over-the-counter medication is banned. Has
anyone had any trouble entering a country with
medication perfectly acceptable in one country
but not acceptable in another?I had this problem only recently. I suffer from
arthritis and take medication daily for it. When
I came through Heathrow Terminal 5 recently
I was stopped and asked to explain what
the medication was, why I was taking it and
where my prescription was. All of this was
done with the usual charmless aggression
that Terminal 5 security seems to specialise
in. I happened to have a spare prescription in
my laptop bag, which was in Dutch. The guard
stared at it for a while (clearly having no idea
what he was looking at) and then dismissed
me with a wave of the hand. Compare this
with being stopped in Tel Aviv last year
where I was questioned with politeness and
discretion and sympathised with when I
explained why I had the pills: “Sorry to hear
that sir, my father has that as well.”As a GP working in Australia I am constantly
asked for letters stating medication and
reasons for such – and believe this is
suggested as essential by the Australian
government. What I do know is that Dubai,
and no doubt many other countries, are very
specific about what is allowed in, and I would
recommend checking websites for full lists.
Basically for anything “addictive”, such as
codeine products, it is well and truly advised
to have a letter with you! While co-codamol
might be “over the counter” in the UK, it is
banned in Dubai without authority.Reminds me of an experience many years
ago with a Nigerian business contact. He had
been detained at Schiphol and subjected to
a search of all orifices as he was carrying
paracetamol in a clear plastic bag with
barely readable markings. He was even less
amused when I advised that only vets gave
out tablets in such packaging.POST
GordyUK
DATE
April 28 0:Dutchyankee
April 28 11:Esselle
April 28 19: