SAA News?

[BMM389EC]

What's the latest news from SAA? When is the announcement due on the new long haul fleet? Heard rumours of ex-Lufthansa A340's. Also heard that management want to cancel the regulating agreement by June? What's up?

[4granted]

Dont know but came accross this: <a href="http://www.neverflysaa.com" target="_blank">www.neverflysaa.com</a>. .PR, PR, PR...... .I cant understand how things can get this bad...

[Whitebug-speed]

The chump who started that site needs to grow up ! <img src="mad.gif" border="0">

[B Sousa]

WhiteBug....... . Are you sure? How else would one voice his dissatisfaction with SAA. You think writing a letter to the company would change things. As one who has done SAA as SLF numerous times, I can assure you he is not far off in his complaints.. .In the airline world you dont compete, you lose. Even SAA mentioned they are pulling back from the Overseas market. I hate to see this happen, but maybe all the folks in management are just there to get a paycheck, they certainly are not listening to the public.. .One thread some time ago voiced disapproval from a passenger who needed some assistance and was promptly told "cant you see Im asleep". Excuse me..... .SAA better wake up......

[El Peligroso]

As the old cliche goes, there are always 3 sides to every story. In this case, his side, SAA's side and the truth. As from time to time things go wrong with even the best of carriers it would seem if this guy is making a mountain out of a mole hill in the hopes getting "a free lunch".

Having said that I was not there to witness what actually happened, but I can see that some SAA employees are quite capable of making absurd comments such as those alleged on the site, so I need to keep an open mind. The fact remains that up to 1994 the commendations letters coming in to SAA more than outnumbered the complaints.

Since 1994.....

Eets like a sheekin but eet can sweem I thinks says it all!. . <img src="frown.gif" border="0">

[ 03 February 2002: Message edited by: El Peligroso ]</p>

[B Sousa]

El Hefe, I agree on 1994, wonder why?? Are you in SAT??

[FREIGHTMAN]

Investigations have revealed that Mr Vern Six set up his website before his trip with SAA. I wonder what his motives really were ? One also has to wonder whether the punishment fits the crime - so he supposedly had a bit of a rough time, but I guess the yanks do it better than everyone and never experience any glitches with their operations.........?

[B Sousa]

Freightdude.. . He may have set up his site beforehand to tell all the world travelers of the great tourist secret that is South Africa. But then after getting hammered, he probably changed priorities. At least that what I hope were his motives. I understand his frustration if the listed items occurred. Yanks dont necessarily do Airline travel any better, but I have never seen so many items as listed on a two leg flight... If you fly much as SLF in the states, you will find conditions are not what they were twenty years ago...as the winged Peanut throwers walk up and down the aisles.. .Having said that, I truly believe South Africa is the best kept secret for travelers on this earth. I tell folks all the time what they can get for the money. The big deterrent to going there is Crime, Time to destination, cost. People can go to Europe or Aussie land much cheaper. Also most only have a couple weeks and to lose 4-5 days with travel does not cut it. . .To keep going out on a tangent, its the same thing with South African Wine.. Wine and the Cape areas are as beautiful as they come, but for some reason we dont get much of it in the states..Somebody is either satisfied with the market at home or in Europe or they are missing a great opportunity. The Napa Valley wines in California are very snobish and are not all that good. Every Yuppie,Computer Nerd or B Movie Actor has a winery. Some really suck....... .WOW, I sure got off of .....what were we talking about anyway..... .Im opening some Fleur du Cap....forget this computer stuff.

[ 06 February 2002: Message edited by: B Sousa ]</p>

[aflitton]

OF SAA and wine/whine,

Following on from the previous respondent,I know that my comments to follow are trivial and banal in comparison to the other issues on this thread, but seeing as though everyone is having a go, I thought I'd add my two cents worth.

I recently flew SAA ( economy Class) from Zurich to JHB and as a patriotic South African was pleased to notice that the dinner menue "invited" passengers to choose a bottle of "world famous Cape wine , selected by an SAA panel of experts."

Now being in economy class one does not expect a miracle iro the wine served, however SAA should not insult the integrity of their passengers nor humiliate the good name of South African wine by claiming that the dreadfull plonk being dished out to their passengers is either "world famous" or "selected by a panel of SAA experts."

One only hopes that in terms of expertise, the aircraft crew are far more expert in their profession than "SAA wine experts" are in theirs.

During the meal some of my fellow passengers who were also unable to take in any of "the Cape's finest", started dishing out their own duty free booze to those around them, however before I was able to secure my quota, the senior-pursor-person, intevined and said that it was forbidden for pax to distribute liquor amongst other passengers and that we should make use of the on board bar service. Talk about creating your own captive market !

If SAA insists on proffering inferior quality wine that even the most reprobate Cape Town "bergie" wouldnt pour down his throat, then they should at least have the decency not to claim that it is "world famous", "Capes finest" or "choosen by experts."

I did consider complaining to SAA formally about this but the idea that an "SAA wine expert" might send me a complimentary case of "ElCheapo de Luxo" as an apology was sufficient to deter me.

. .B.Y.O.

[PAXboy]

emcrit, I sympathise on the wine but as regards not consuming your own duty free.

I understand that all airlines with CAA/FAA/other AAs, prevent this as there is no means of knowing how much alcohol the pax has consumed.

Of course, we all know of pax that board drunk and are then given more <img src="frown.gif" border="0"> but the rule is not to consume your own booze.

[B Sousa]

Emcrit.....Strange, as I last used Virgin Coach LGW/JNB and the real booze was free......AS to the wine if it has a screw top its probably the same stuff I used in college....Students are always experts at cheap wine ...

[El Peligroso]

Bert,

Ah 1994, what a wonderful year! For wine maybe.

If SAT = Southern Air Trans, then sorry I'm not.

Cheers. <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[B Sousa]

Alamo, SAT, Riverwalk........DUH San Antone

[AJ]

On a Xmas flight to Luanda, a wine list was distributed in First class.

Mmmm, I'll try the Nederburg Merlot I thought to myself.

Purser comes along to take the orders, and I ask for the aforementioned Merlot.

Here's the gem of a reply:

'I'm sorry Sir, we only have red or white.'

Why not make a film....Carry on SAA?? <img src="cool.gif" border="0">

Regards

[contraxdog]

Or being given the choice between chicken or fish,choosing chicken being answered: . ."No chicken ....its finished"

NUFSAID

[4HolerPoler]

Red Face Day

[quote]SAA 'joyride' hits a snag

Johannesburg - Friday's "joyride" demonstration flights in Johannesburg by Airbus and Boeing, vying for the SAA long-haul contract, hit a snag when the Boeing's aircraft had to abort its take-off due to an engine fault.

Rolls Royce, which manufactures Boeing's engines, said in a statement that it was a "very rare occurrence" and that maintenance teams were investigating the incident.

The Boeing 777 and the Airbus A340-600 were demonstrated after SAA invited tenders in September last year to replace their current long-haul fleet of two Boeing 767s, five 747-200s, six 747-300s and three 747SPs over the next two years.

SA Airways might decide on Sunday whether the deal will go to Boeing or Airbus, financial officer Richard Forson said on Thursday.

The deal would be worth between US$1 billion and $1.5 billion.

Thirteen new or pre-owned long-haul planes will be bought or leased and the transition would be completed in 2004.

The aircraft being replaced are all between 25 and 30 years old and are likely to be scrapped.

Rolls-Royce to handle enquiries

Boeing spokesperson Johan Pfeiffer on Friday confirmed that their aircraft had failed to take off for the demonstration flight.

He said that Rolls-Royce had undertaken to handle any media enquiries.

When asked if the engine failure would in any way affect Boeing's chance of winning the tender, he said that question would have to be directed to SAA.

SAA spokesperson Victor Nosi said the engine failure of the Boeing 777 would not affect any future negotiations with Boeing.

"Today's (Friday) flights were just a joyride to show people what the different planes look like," he said.

He said, though, that the demonstration flight would not be re-scheduled.

An Airbus spokesperson said its aircraft passed its demonstration flight in just under an hour over Gauteng with no hitches.

The A340-600 was ideally suited to long-range routes, Airbus chief commercial officer John Leahy said.

"We believe that our four-engined aircraft is ideally suited to very long-range routes, especially those which involve flying over large expanses of ocean or desolate terrain."

The A340-600 made its first flight in April last year and will enter commercial airline service in July.<hr></blockquote>

[El Peligroso]

Both great aeroplanes, but we all know which company will be chosen. . .The one that offers the best underhand payout! <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">

[B Sousa]

Peligroso.....I theeenk you are talking about theee Pendejos who hand out theee Contracts. You mean they like Dinero, under theee table....??. .Hopefully some will end up in theee "Rancho no Tengo."

[El Peligroso]

Si compadrito, I hope so 2.