Sanctions Urged against British Airways for leaving a 'Sultan' behind

[Buzz Control]

"THE Action Congress (AC) has asked the Federal Government to immediately sanction British Airways over its recent disrespectful treatment of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Said Abubakar III, by the airline.

In a statement issued in Abuja Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said it was inexcusable that the monarch and his entourage could be left behind by the airline, while they waited at the VIP lounge of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja.


"This recalcitrant airline can neither claim to be unaware of the fact that the Sultan and his entourage were waiting at the VIP lounge, nor pretend not to know they had not boarded as at the time the flight took off.

It said the reported apologies of the airline and the British High Commission is like medicine after death, as it will not reverse the shabby treatment meted out to the Monarch.

The party also said the fact that the airline is from a country where the Monarchy is held in high esteem means it cannot pretend not to know the importance of such a foremost Monarch like the Sultan of Sokoto.

AC said the British Airlines' action, coming on the heels of its recent maltreatment of several Nigerian passengers in London, has shown that the airline has nothing but absolute contempt for Nigeria and her citizens, no matter how lowly or highly placed.

"It is high time the Nigerian government signalled to the foreign airlines and missions in the country that it will no longer tolerate the shabby treatment of its citizens. If the British Airways had been heavily sanctioned after the recent London incident, it would have thought twice before daring to disrespect a highly-respected personality like the Sultan.

"In any case, it is also possible that the airline is taking a cue from the British High Commission in Nigeria which, like other foreign missions here, have made the humiliation of Nigerian citizens their past time, just because they dare to seek travel visas.

"If indeed the Nigerian citizen is of any importance to this administration, and if indeed the government is aware of its responsibilities to its citizens, then it must begin to show that the time to maltreat a Nigerian is long over," AC said."

:bored: Anyone like to answer this one?? :E

[TopBunk]

BA082/13 delayed 15 minutes to offload bag of no show pax? Possibly this flight? What do you expect an airline to do? Wait infinitum for a 'VIP' to show or to operate a scheduled flight for the other 200+ pax?.

A few people seem to think that the world revolves around them - it doesn't and it's time they learned that.

Who do they think they are? If they are that important then charter an aircraft - it will then do what they want. If they book on a scheduled flight, then turn up in time or :mad: off.

[Doesn't matter if you are from Nigeria or USA or UK - the same rules apply - it's not discrimination!]

[Chippie Chappie]

Isn't there a t-shirt that says,

"Happiness is V1 out of Lagos" ?

Chips:ooh:

[Hotel Mode]

I suspect the Sultan of Sokoto was trying to demonstrate his high position by delaying the other 300 passengers. Might have worked at Nigerian airlines when that was running.

If the Nigerian government wants to run an airline why dont they? It went so well last time.

[JW411]

Well, I was once told that the definition of happiness was calling V1 at Lagos.

[S78]

"that it will no longer tolerate the shabby treatment of its citizens."


Maybe if they stopped smuggling Cocaine or ripping off credit cards we wouldn't treat them so badly:=




S78

[JW411]

To say nothing of the daily (attempted) email scams.

[ukdean]

What a cheek, all this from the land of the free, an armed escort to your hotel and dodgy radar. I say sultan of "who". When its time to push we go if you can't be botherd to get you're finger out then get the next flight .So Mr Sultan of the mini cab office.."F.O" and well done BA. That's better, moan over

[icarus sun]

I agree with the above posts. Often the local bigwig wil try to show his power by making everyone wait. As for Lagos and Nigeria the t--d world.

[White Knight]

Indeed - sultan of WHERE??? Of all the places I've flown into, Nigeria is by far and away the place I dislike most - bunch of scamming, thieving crooks like you've never seen...
If the sultan's late, bye bye....

[no sponsor]

And people wonder why Africa has so many problems.

I guess the Sultan was sipping Cristal Champagne and wasting his country's wealth on himself again.

[6000PIC]

I wonder if he was travelling abroad to help the plight of his people in Nigeria , or as I suspect , to help himself and his tribe/family/cronies/ass kissers spend some of his hard earned money. Why go to London ? Shopping at Harrods ?...then there`s the Commonwealth ??... sometimes Britain has rampant double standards. As far as BA is concerned , well done. I`m sure they`ll be early next time. ..Would you like a towel to wipe that egg off your face ? What a shame.

[Dash2Class]

Oh how I laughed!!!!

Just needed to agree wholeheartedly with the above... Abuja and Lagos are not the nicest places I've been to. People (on the whole) are scamming and arrogant. Good on BA I say, if you're not there then you don't fly...

As for their choice of BA, if they had such a problem with the ''Mistreatment'' of the Natives, why choose BA again?? Make your own :mad: airline (As said above, It worked so well last time!)
:ugh:

[Abusing_the_sky]

Oh dear, the SULTAN of hell knows where and his entourage was left behind because he couldn't be arsed to get up when the boarding call was made... He waited for the personal apt servant to fetch him to the aircraft, red carped and all. I guess MONEY can't buy everything, including a BA flight.

Well done BA and as for the so called Sultan... Set up your own :mad: airline and then no one would dare to leave you behind. Capisci?:ok:


Rgds,
ATS

[ukdean]

Guys what a good thread, now whilst we are on this subject I have an excellent pakage. I can get you "very cheap" Rolex watch, how many would you like, please, no money I will take from your bank account, you're account details please...That's question 1 on "what makes you a perfect citizen of Nigeria" sorted. Oh yes "SULTAN OH WHO"....

[Brockton]

There is a God after all!

[nicolai]

Which part of "Self-Loading" did they not understand? :E

[HeadingSouth]

kudos to the BA crew !

And yes, the Brits apologizing really ain't gonna make up for it but then there's no need to apologize either. God forbid !

I just dare to imagine how the folks waiting at the gate were going down on their knees when they heard "Last call for Mr Sultan - Would Mr Sultan of... sorry what was it again ? please move immediately to Gate 28..."

What I wonder:
17 JUN 2008 - Nigeria: World Bank approves $46.7m lifeline for aviation infrastructure (http://aviation-safety.net/database/country/country.php?id=5N#2031)

There wasn't enough cash for a private plane for such an important VIP in that bucket ??

Anyway, there's always the return flight... :E

[Doodlebug2]

Who the heck and what the heck is the sultan of sokoto anyway??...

[ukdean]

"Who the heck and what the heck is the sultan of sokoto" anyway.Oh my god, you telling us you don't know......He is the "cxxk" who missed his flight. ps can I interest you in a watch....;

[PAXboy]

Who the heck???

The official title is Sultan of Sokoto and includes the style "Amir-ul-Momineen". The post has become increasingly ceremonial since British rule, but the Sultan, considered a spiritual leader in the Muslim community in Nigeria, can still carry a lot of weight with Fulani and Hausa people from northern Nigeria.
List of Sultans of Sokoto - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_of_Sokoto)

So, despite them ranting on about him being a king and should be treated as one, he is only a symbolic Sultan in a country that is a federal republic.

Obviously his many acolytes were too busy to notice the clock was ticking on departure. A pity that personal appeals to the pax in VIP suite on a silver tray to kindly join the aerie have gone out of daily use. He should be firing his staff and they are kicking up a ruckus to divert the blame. :=

[point8six]

One day someone will write a book about his/her experiences with Nigerian aviation. Not only will it be almost unbelievable, it will also spark off "I can better that" stories!
There is a biblical reference that I cannot remember, along the lines of "As it was yesterday......". Perhaps someone can fill in the dots?
(Expat Nigeria 1956-1966 and frequent visitor as 747 Capt 1990 -2002 -due lack of seniority!).

[ukdean]

With a name like "sokoto" you would think one of the kronies would say SOGOTO the gate, Sultan of, er I can't remember.

[Tolsti]

I thought that the definition of happiness was a dry fart on the climb coming out of Lagos!

[MarkD]

you'd think Nigeria wouldn't need World Bank handouts in a $100+/bbl world...

[Chippie Chappie]

Just remembered. There's a G3 sittinging up at Signature Luton with "Federal Republic of Nigeria" painted on the side. Been sitting there for at least 5 years or so. Maybe they could have used that. Doh :ugh: What am I thinking?! He might have had to leave some of the entourage behind :eek:

[virgo]

I like the story of the Foreign Office chappie posted to a little known outpost of the Empire who intended to hold a dinner party, and not wanting to cause a diplomatic embarassment, signalled the Embassy in Cairo requesting the protocol to be observed for the the dining table seating plan.
The response came......
"To his believers and followers, the Emir of Wadi-Hal-Qatam is a direct descendant of God. (An Imperial Airways Captain takes precedence.)"

[Lafyar Cokov]

Please don't upset the Nigerian community - any day now I am expecting 10% my share of US $41,000,000,000,000,000 that I am helping smuggle out of the country. I have already spent $25,000 setting up the bank transfers and the money is due in my account any day now. If you guys keep upsetting the nice chaps form Lagos - I fear it may not arrive. Could we please stop posting on this thread until the money has been safely transferred !!! :\

[Leezyjet]

It is high time the Nigerian government signalled to the foreign airlines and missions in the country that it will no longer tolerate the shabby treatment of its citizens.

And is it not high time the foreign Airlines and Missions of the world signalled that they will no longer tolerate the shouting at and abuse of their staff, not to mention the scamming and ripping off that they face on a daily basis by Nigerian Citizens ?.

Well done BA.

:D

[Abusing_the_sky]

One is thinking maybe Naomi Campell was part of the so called Sultan's entourage.... As "Lady" Naomi is well known for hating BA for well.... putting her back to her place!

Once again, well done BA:D:D:D:D

Rgds,
ATS

[Sunfish]

Point8Six:

Hebrews 13 verse 8... after you have looked it up you have my permission to use the reference as often as you like, usually at mealtimes....But you have to make people look it up! :ok:

[RED WINGS]

O how I love these stories! Just dont envy the crew on the next flight out!!
I assume the Sultan still needed to get to Harrods:}

I think the Nigerian G3 at Signature has been inpounded for many years! But dont know for fact! Maybe the crew left the Sultan behind and havent dared to return to Nigeria since :ok:

[brakedwell]

"Who the heck and what the heck is the sultan of sokoto" anyway

Didn't his picture appear on Robertson's Silver Shred Jars? ;)

[kotakota]

One of my fave moments in African aviation was when I flew Budgies for Air Malawi back in the 80s and was fed up with a certain minister who used to send his flunky / chauffeur to the strip in Mzuzu to ' Check-in ' ( the local Airline Staff could never dare to refuse this abuse ) and then carry on carousing and keeping all the decent punters waiting on board.
One Friday I was operating the last flight back to Blantyre for 48 hours ( ie no other way to get home for the weekend ), the usual happened , I waited until I could see his Merc coming back down the airport road ( this time with him in it ) , then I started #2 knowing that he would see this , the Merc picked up speed , then we were all treated to the sight of said ' Fat Controller ' attempting to propel his Size 12 bod at warp speed across the tarmac without bursting his M & S top of the range suit , crawling up the wobbly steps by the forward cargo/ crew door as we started #1 2 seconds later !! Great applause from various punters . The highlight for me was the appearance of a flunkey on the F Deck in the cruise ( good old days ) and rather than forcing the expected notice - of - execution on me , thanked me profusely on behalf of now half -dead minister for ' delaying' flight etc !!!!
Needless to say , he was never late again .
Still wondering why my contract was never renewed though.

[llondel]

Perhaps for an encore BA could deliver him to T5 and lose all his bags?

[Hussar 54]

Been based here for almost three years now - feel sorry for me !!

Just wish I had had the chance to do something similar but can't afford to lose the business....

These so-called Sultans, Rulers, State Governors, Government Officials and Advisors, State Officials, City Management, etc, etc, etc are just about the lowest form of life imaginable - arrogant, useless, incompetent and almost without exception totally dishonest by European standards....Let's just say that the item in our Expenses Column with the second highest cost after fuel is ' Facilitation Fees '.....

Many stories / anecdotes, etc, but try Googling for the the report into Governor Daniel of Ogun State and his expenses, etc, etc.... And the State Governor whose name I have forgotten who a couple of years ago managed to legally claim $60k per diem when travelling on State business...

And still the World Bank provides cheap loans and debt write-offs to Nigeria which almost without exception end up in bank accounts in Switzerland and Liechenstein while those of us trying do business here are screwed left, right and centre...

I shouldn't imagine that BA will not worry for one second about an embargo / boycott / sanctions from these people or Nigerians in general - watch their passenger numbers skyrocket if non-Nigerians know that they won't have to share and suffer the aggravation of sharing a flight with 300+ of them....

Won't be long before the other foreign carriers engineer a similar boycott for themselves when they see the ex-pat traffic flocking to BA...

Sorry if all this sounds offensive or racist, but simply true....

[T4Turtle]

It is the fault of the ground handling agent and executive staff of the VVIP. That the UK High Commission is obliged to intervene is a travesty.

[M.Mouse]

Some years ago I was operating a scheduled service from one of the more pleasant West African countries and was informed that the President of that country was travelling to London on our flight.

We waited 45 minutes for him to emerge from the VIP lounge. I would dearly have loved to depart on time and without him but the poilitical consequences of doing so, assuming ATC would have let us go anyway, did not bear thinking about.

It is interesting that any member of royalty in the UK would never dream of keeping a flight waiting. I suppose it all comes down to manners and courtesy and a certain cultural difference where those that live high of the hog in Africa treat those they consider beneath them with utter contempt.

[ExSp33db1rd]

Well done B.A. :ok: After leaving B.A. my next airline Traffic Despatcher once asked for a 15 mins. Tech Crew delay to accommodate Wife of Eastern Potentate (known as the Sultana of XXXXX ) still in Duty Free. I refused and suggested that he call it a Traffic delay, then he would have to explain to Mgmt. not me.

15 mins. later, same request, same answer, told him to get off and close door, he triumphantly reminded me that Sultana's bag was on board and so I couldn't depart, told him that Sultana not considered a security risk so get off and close door and I would take responsibility for not offloading bag as locally required . Unfortunately at that point black Mercedes appeared and parked under the nose wheel and so I lost another 10 mins as they pushed her upstairs ( no common boarding ramp for Madam ) 400 pax. delayed 30 mins by this prickess, I dearly wished I could have gone without her - I was near the end of my contract anyway !

[Muizenberg]

As cabin crew, we tolerate behaviour on Nigeria routes that we WOULD NOT entertain on other routes...treats of death and kidnapping when T4 baggage problems led to many bags to LOS being delayed.

Remember telling a woman that we had run out of chicken whilst working in traveller---her response "You BRING me chicken OR I KILL YOU..."; now on any other flight this would have been handled as a disruptive passenger by flying into LOS what can one do?? Left her a beef lasagne only to pass by 10 minutes late to see this salad dodger of a woman licking the bottom of the foil container!!!

Whilst LOS/ABV are profitable routes, so are JFK/IAH/JNB and the customers don't behave the way they do on flights to Nigeria. Glad BA has treated the Sultan the way any other customer who delayed a flight would have been treated as his party was costing the airline £1,000's a minute for the delay.:D

[Slats One]

Well, as no one has mentioned it, in 1903, Lugard and his men stormed Sokoto , shot then Emir of said place dead, killed all his staff and army, and installed the Empire and reading, 'riting, 'riting and 'rithmetic - as you do.

So maybe the current Emir of Sokoto is still fuming at what we did to his ancestor - shame.

As I am ex Nigeria and ex Rhubarbwe under Robert Gabriel Mugabe, all I can say is that crews have to put up with an awful lot in Nigeria.

Ghana is much nicer, and so are the people. Ah, Ghana Airways, VC10 reg 9G ABO - nostalgia.

[Basil]

VC10 reg 9G ABO
Err, shouldn't that reg have been allocated to an Australian airline :}

. and another thing; why haven't we yet seen the screams of "Bigot!" "Racist!" on this thread?
Perhaps they've all had their 419 and, one hopes, paid up. :ok:

[DozyWannabe]

why haven't we yet seen the screams of "Bigot!" "Racist!" on this thread?
Because it would clearly be superfluous.

Where'd you think the folks in Nigeria got the idea that higher-ups should be corrupt, smug, intolerant grifters? It couldn't possibly be their former rulers from dear old Auntie Blighty setting an example...

:rolleyes:

I agree that VIP status shouldn't be enough to delay a departure, but the latent bigotry that this one incident has revealed is frankly quite revolting.

[Carnage Matey!]

I'm guessing you've never been to Nigeria then DW?

[pensioner]

The poor fellow was possibly unaware of the 'correct' time (despite the numerous Rolex's available).

Some years back, as part of a freighter crew, we sat having a beer in the hotel and watching the local TV. The announcer said "Here is the world news. The time is about 9 o'clock. We are not sure because the studio clock is broken. In Lagos today..................."

I doubt if much changes - at least for the better.

[Flight Detent]

Arrr...Lagos

During my time there, operating for AAI, on one particular New York flight, all the crew was held at the hotel for about 45 minutes due a maintenance delay in rectifying an incoming unserviceability.
Then we all jumped in the cars, and with the associated armed guard vehicles front and rear, headed off to the airport, the usual routine.

When we arrived at the airport, I recall briskly walking towards the usual departure gate, and noticing that there were no passengers milling/waiting in the area of the departure lounge. I remember thinking that the NYC flights were always fullish, and that was odd!

Anyway, I reach the gate, walk down the aerobridge to find the airplane is full of Nigerian pax, all waiting to go, some 300+ pax, with no sign of any traffic/security or anyone else to oversee them, I was totally gobsmacked to say the least!
I was straight away abused by most that saw me arrive aboard that we were late departing and where had we been? (or language to that approximate meaning).
All access to everywhere on board was available, including the flight deck door was open, and people were wandering everywhere!
Of course, I immediately found the traffic person and had him completely deplane everybody, and the maintenance guys and us crew guys then carried out a complete search of the airplane, needless to say it took quite some time!
The duty traffic guy got a good dressing down from us, and we submitted a report to company to both highlight the problem and to justify the additional delay.
To this day, I still vividly remember the shock of realizing what I had come across, and how dangerous a situation we were exposed to!

Oh...and by the way, when I flew for Kuwait Air, the Emirs in Kuwait used to do the same sorts of things when we tried to depart Dubai on many an occasion, we didn't like it, but we knew better than to leave without 'em, but unfortunately, they did to!

It all adds to the experiences of flying in countries where I wouldn't want to live!

Cheers...FD...:uhoh:

[DozyWannabe]

Doesn't matter, CM. You'd consider it unfair if all Brits were tarred with the same brush as the boorish drunks that infest charter flights to the Med at this time of year, so why do we have the right to do it to the Nigerians?

[Carnage Matey!]

I'm afraid it does matter. If you had been to Nigeria you'd understand why your last post is flawed.

[wobble2plank]

Personally I blame the ground staff for not briefing the Sultana and his entourage properly.

Maybe someone should have had the forethought to tell his highnlyness that, generally, the best place to wait for an aircraft to take off is actually onboard the aircraft. Amazingly most passengers seem to grasp this simple concept even without the fawning entourage to assist, encourage and tell them how wonderful they are. Even more startling is that these ordinary passengers have the innate ability to get to the aircraft on time!

In all the years I have been operating out of Heathrow I have to admit I have never seen the VIP centre move, let alone taxi and take off.

Perhaps a Lagos top travel tip for the future?

:ugh:

[mad_jock]

I seem to remember a rugby fly on the wall prog on telly where either William or Harry was late for thier flight and got off loaded. They appeared back at the hotel to enjoy afternoon tea with the English rugby team.

So its not as if we don't do it to our own.

[DozyWannabe]

The point, CM, is the question of who made Nigeria that way, and I think you'll find it was us.

[Hotel Mode]

The people being tarred with the same brush are the ruling classes of Nigeria who are wasting the windfall of oil that could make Nigeria a very wealthy country.

[Hotel Mode]

The point, CM, is the question of who made Nigeria that way, and I think you'll find it was us.

Even if that was the case (and youll struggle to find many who believe Nigeria is in a better state now than 1960) Theyve had 50 years to sort it out.

[DozyWannabe]

I *really* don't want this thread to turn into a debate about the geopolitics of what's left of the former colonies after 50 years of Cold War divide-and-rule (not only does it belong in JB, but I don't have the time), so can we just leave it there?

[Re-Heat]

Doesn't matter, CM. You'd consider it unfair if all Brits were tarred with the same brush as the boorish drunks that infest charter flights to the Med at this time of year, so why do we have the right to do it to the Nigerians?
I don't think anyone on this thread has attempted to portray all Nigerians in the same light; just to point out the reality of despicable leadership, arrogance, comtempt and thievary that are commonplace in an oil-rich nation with no independent checks and balances.

Many Nigerians are perfectly normal and nice; however, following the example of their leaders are most people in any country do, there is a larger than normal proportion of utterly arrogant, despicable idiots in the poplace as a result.

To describe the above as racist bigotry is quite frankly PC tosh, particularly when as pointed out, people next door in Ghana of the same race are perfectly gentlemanly.

[SNS3Guppy]

There is a biblical reference that I cannot remember, along the lines of "As it was yesterday......". Perhaps someone can fill in the dots?


"And it came to pass," perhaps? (it usually does).

One has to chuckle at the idea of any national political symbol or leader missing his airline flight, these days. Most would have taken their private jet. The spectacle of any movie star, church leader, holy man, politician, or whomever, waiting in the terminal and picking his or her last peanut from a little foil bag the size of a thimble while holding his elbows in for six hours and trying not to catch a cold from the diseased and dying alongside...somehow that's just funny.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Putin...you'll have to catch the next one, we're full."

"Apologies, your Majesty. All we have for you is a middle seat. Is that quite alright?"

"Oh dear, Mr. President. We do apologise, but we're all out of crayons, and there's no aisle seat. May we offer you a little set of plastic wings, instead?"

Where's a camera, when you need one?

Sultans from Lagos. Hmmm. Sounds rather like His Holiness, the Most Excellent Sir Ed Gruberman of Detroit. Whatever will they think of, next?

[Dickie71]

Just so I'm clear then - this post #33 from "bakedwell":

"Didn't his picture appear on Robertson's Silver Shred Jars?"

is enlightened opinion informing me of political realities in Nigeria?

I'm no lover of "PC Tosh" but please don't kid yourself.

[Frangible]

A lot of assumptions have been posted about the Sultan being too grand to respond to calls to go to the gate, but does anyone here actually have possession of the true facts and would care to share them?

[Scimitar]

Dozy,

Do us all a favour. Take a trip to Nigeria. Take a good look for yourself.

Then you will realise that those of us who have spent time there are speaking with one clear voice!

[PC767]

During my time in uniform I was a firearms officer and spent time with teams carrying out protection duties in the UK. I assited with UK Royals and Officials and also visiting Dignitories.

My observations are that this is a simple cultural clash. UK Royal and dignitories (in general) are keen not to cause offence or disruption whenever possible. Although their status means they have a lifestyle which impacts on others they are apologetic and required that we did what ever we could to minimise that impact. I was involved with USA dignitories who were the opposite because they felt they had not left the USA and everything should be done their way, except for President Clinton who despite the best attempts of his lackys was a concerned gentleman. African and middle eastern dignitories on the other hand assume it is their right to keep people waiting and the more impact on everbody else they have the more important it makes them.

Certainly in the UK we wouldn't tolerate such behaviour so readily. Other nations have different expectations and tolerance levels. British ethics in Nigeria will result in a clash. And to state that the Empire created these ideals is wrong. What ended 50 years ago may not have been right but after our removal the locals in a small minority of countries have continued to develop and enhance what they percieved the British were like to a place well beyond reality.

And if there is a petition in place similar to the last one. I'll gladly add my signiture to boycott BA in Nigeria. Make my life a trifle easier not to go there.

[merlinxx]

Not V1 ex DNMM, but climbing through FL10 knowing I can make Accra if I loose a donk! At V1 with a donk gone, shag that going back to that ****e hole!

Yes and I do know some awfully nice, and honest Nigerians in our industry.

[paulg]

Dozy I'm with you on this. Sadly Nigerians have been vilified and type cast by the rest of the world and misled by the media. Yes there are big problems but no worse than any other third world previously colonised country. There is no excuse for the bad behaviour of people described in this thread. But there is also no excuse for stereoptyping all citizens because of the bad behaviour of some. I also take your point about the poor example set by former colonial masters. Sorry for the drift, but this type of vilification cannot be allowed to go unremarked. Nothing to do with racism either.
Paul :)

[hawker750]

I am sure that if the Captain had got off his arse and walked over to the VIP suite and introduced himself, explained that departure was imminent, that an on time departure with the "VIP" would have happened, every one would have been happy and BA would have retained a high paying passenger.
Instead every one is rejoycing.... I find that rather sad. When in Rome........

[brakedwell]

I am sure that if the Captain had got off his arse and walked over to the VIP suite and introduced himself, explained that departure was imminent, that an on time departure with the "VIP" would have happened, every one would have been happy and BA would have retained a high paying passenger.
Instead every one is rejoycing.... I find that rather sad. When in Rome........

What utter bollox :ugh::ugh::ugh:

Perhaps you would also like the Captain to get of his arse and carry the Sultan's bags. When in Nigeria . . . . . . eat Occra Stew!

[VAFFPAX]

Good on BA. Like PC767 says, Euro royalty in general tends to be painfully aware of their status and their impact on the lives of their subjects and other pax. Yes, you get the occasional stroppy prince(ss), but the older ones tend to be unassuming, considerate and try to get there with a minimum of fuss and pomp.

As for Africa, yes, unfortunately in Africa and the Middle East the whole "the more important I think I am the longer I'll let you wait" adage is well alive and kicking, especially by despots, dictators and general wannabes.

S.

[point8six]

Somehow Africa and political correctness do not mix.
A definition of happiness in Lagos, is arriving at MDA with enough fuel to return to LGW (fuel tankering mid-nineties due pipeline contamination).:) Makes decision-making somewhat easier.:ok:

[Lost man standing]

Dozy

Nigerians aside, you know nothing about the English!

You claim it is from the Empire they learnt this behaviour. However that by British standards would be considered shocking rudeness.

In fact the element of Nigerian culture that informs the comments here is exactly the opposite of Victorian British values that pervaded the Empire. In Nigeria it is considered praiseworthy behaviour to get as much reward as possible for as little effort as can be made. How could that have been learnt from the Victorian work ethic?

The people who run successful scams are looked up to. Note that current British culture does not consider lager drinking and fighting in Ibiza as something to be praised, so your comparison is not equivalent. If we did then that would be a reason to criticise Britain as a whole.

At one time I worked with one person born in Nigeria and another born in the UK but largely brought up in Ghana by his mother's family. Neither one had anything good to say about Nigeria; they had views in line with those posting here who have actually been to West Africa.

You are in fact making a generalisation about Britain that is wrong and unfair, when complaining about people making generalisations about Nigeria which appear by all the evidence I can see to be well-founded. At the very least you have no idea whether they are justified or not. As an old friend used to say, “pot this is kettle, colour check, over”.

Paulg

Stereotypes and generalisation are mechanisms the human brain uses to remember large amounts of information, by using the stereotype as a reference point. If you don't use them then you can only know a tiny fraction of what any normal human does, so are probably ill-equipped to comment. However since you can use a computer and write correct English with correct spelling then you do.

What do you know about the behaviour of the colonial administration? Why is it different from the known behaviour of the colonial administrations everywhere else in the British Empire? Why are you claiming that they are all have problems bad as Nigeria, with no reason to attack these other countries and stereotype the former colonies on the bad example of Nigeria?

[Taildragger67]

a foremost Monarch

one would've thought that to be a "foremost Monarch", one would have to reign over a sovereign nation.

This esteemed gent's patch is a component part of the sovereign nation Nigeria.

hence...

he's a bit lower down the kingly pecking order than a "foremost Monarch".

Clowns

[757_Driver]

dozy and Paul,

Have either of you ever been to west africa?

If you have then I applaud that your optimistic view of human nature has remained untainted by your experiences down there.
If you haven't then take on board the views of those of us that spend time down there. Its not a biggoted or racist view, it's the way it is in that part of the world.

[brakedwell]

I have memories of Lagos going back to 1974 and guess what - apart from the white rhino we flew in from Kenya pissing on the ikeja tarmac for a good ten minutes after being offloaded, they are all bad!

[merlinxx]

How many folks did the Chief shaft, in and out of country? What of his esteemed son who was caught at the border with stashes of NAA dosh.

Yes I have visited and worked in Nigeria after time in East Af., bloody hell talk about a different world!

Nigeria is Nigeria, let Nigerians do Nigerian things, lets keep the **** away, let them stew with looted dosh, oil and every scam known to man (hey and some we don't know) folks check the Saffer site for some Nigerian stories.

[PAXboy]

The Nigerian approach to business is the same as : The approach of Robert Mugabe to Zimbabwe and it's peoples.
If the Brits are to be blamed for the way some Nigerians behave - then we are also to blame for Mugabe? I don't think so.

The reputation that each nation gets is a stereotype of their prevailing characteristic. Well know examples:

Australia: Beer, Rugby, a general oafish masculinity coupled with determination
Germany: Hard work and precision (and Beer)
Japan: Hard work and politeness
Italy: Not hard work and a 'tomorrow is another day' approach

These characteristics are based on long understood truths but are NEVER deemed to be anything more than generalisations. For example, having lived in Germany, I know full well what a great sense of humour they have.

This Nigerian citizen, who carries a courtesy title relating to religion not political or social status, wanted the commercial world to stop for him.

Clearly, his staff made a MAJOR b@llsup by not ensuring that he was on the plane and it is the STAFF who are creating a stink to cover their own mess. It is SOP. ;)

[DozyWannabe]

OK, I'm going to say my peace here and hope this thread is banished to Jet Blast, where, given the tone of some of the replies, it belongs.

You're right - I've never been to West Africa and as such I may be considered ill-equipped to comment. It doesn't bother me in the slightest how awful it may be, but I'd hope that given the level of education and life experience it takes to make a good airline pilot, that some on here would show a little more class than this.

By all means, feel free to relate problems you've had getting recalcitrant VIPs to the gate on time but statements like
Didn't his picture appear on Robertson's Silver Shred Jars?
quite frankly shame us all.

[RED WINGS]

I have often been interested in how former British Colonies evolved after colonial rule, some notable countries USA Canada India Australia South Africa, then you look at Nigeria. I would be very interested if anyone out there has any comparison in how Nigeria is now compared to when it became independant. I suspect this so called sultan hasnt contributed a great deal!

[SNS3Guppy]

You're right - I've never been to West Africa and as such I may be considered ill-equipped to comment.


A masterful understatement if ever there was one.

[Juud]

Unlike Dozy, I have been to West Africa more times than I remember.
Been trolley dollying in and out of Nigeria for 20+ years.
Twice in a row just recently.

This thread is far grubbier than any Lagos flight.
PPruNe at its worst.


Good on the BA crew BTW, well done! :ok:

[parabellum]

"except for President Clinton who despite the best attempts of his lackys was a concerned gentleman."

It may be an urban myth but there is a tale about Clinton that he brought JFK to a standstill for a couple of hours whilst he had his haircut aboard Air Force One!

Worked briefly in Nigeria in 1969, no fond memories at all, the bribes just to get in and out of the country were considerable as well as unofficial 'road-blocks' by the police and army to relieve one of duty-free, (inbound) and money or valuables out bound.

[Admiral346]

Having been to every continent (exept Australia), up and down, Lagos was seriously the worst place I have ever been to.

As mentioned above, many countries had to deal with colonialism, and it took time to recouver from that system, but nowhere have I been escorted by two police cars to the hotel, with the luggage riding seperate. Nowhere has the mechanic told me to what lenghts they go, to simply get a hydraulics pump for an AOG into the country. I have never seen anywhere houses constructed with defensive rings, steel doors,allowing the residents to slowly retreat into the innermost part, fitted as a safe room. Nowhere did we hop the curb and get riding back into the other direction because we simply had to stop at a little traffic jam. The German government keeps federal police there, for an extra security screening. Talking to them was very enlightening about the local fake passport industry (yes, industry).

I felt halfway safe at Addis, Asmara, I walked the streets in the dark in Caracas, went drinking in Brasil, everything was fine.

But in Lagos, I wouldn't want to take a stroll around the hotel...

I don't want to speculate about the reasons for it to be as it is, but to me happiness is to contact Niamey, northbound, after having avoided the opposite traffic Lagos control just cleared me into...

Nic

[PAXboy]

Non pilot speaking.
DozyWannabeI'd hope that given the level of education and life experience it takes to make a good airline pilot, that some on here would show a little more class than this.
But pilots are just human beings! Some are fabulous people and some are (ahem) less so - all that is judged is whether they can pass the exams and conduct themselves in a way that enables them to conduct their duties.

Some leaders, be they Prime Ministers and Presidents, Kings or Popes are fabulous people and some are (ahem) less so. One religious leader is the Dalai Lama, another is (according to information received) the Sultan of Sokoto. Lastly, it is well known that the staff surrounding VIPs often behave far worse than the VIP.

[pilotbear]

The worst type of people on this planet are the know it all, never done it, head in the sand do-gooders. The reason people act 'badly' is that you let them get away with it with your stupid PC attitude, even though you would be up in arms if they moved in next door to you. (secretly though through a friend of a friend)
Unfortunately, some people are destined to behave badly, that is the way it is.
If you have never been there, shut the f*** up. You do not know what you are talking about at all. The people who have and do including me are commenting from real life personal experience.:ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh:

[hunterboy]

I must be missing something.....why is it racist to offload a late passengers bags and go without them? Or is it only racist when it happens to non -whites?

[Fart Master]

Got it in one:ok:

[Basil]

Had a good experience in Lagos.
We were flying a B747 transporting the Nigerian National athletics team (including paraplegics) to Cuba.
Parked on the military ramp - everything supervised by Nigerian airline captain and his (rather decent) lady assistant who flew in with us - met by immigration and customs who processed us with speed and efficiency - bus came to aircraft side and we exited straight onto the road via a gate which happened to be on the side of the airport closest to our hotel where - said captain spent the evening buying us drinks (I think he liked our hosties :))

Following morning a bit slow boarding but we were entertained by a demonstration of Air Force tractor training.

Good when you're working for the government :ok:

Next visit with ordinary pax - oh dear :{

[wings folded]

A good thing to come out of Nigeria as far as I am concerned was heard on the national radio which modelled itself on the BBC World Service, but had not quite grasped the subtleties.

So, instead of saying "It is 12 o'clock Greenwich Mean Time. Here is the news"

the cordial fellow said "It is 12 o'clock Greenwich. Meantime here is the news"

[757_Driver]

all of this stuff has nothing to do with colonialism, rather the attitude of the locals that grabbed power afterwards. Nigeria, Zimbabwe - both have an embarassment of natural riches, both utter ****eholes due entirely to the locals, not the British.

However I have spent some time in Accra lately, hardly a million miles from Lagos - also ex colonial, nowhere near as naturally wealthy, but generally a thoroughly nice place in a thoroughly decent country.
There is a limit how long even the PC brigade can blame the empire for all the current :mad: ups.

[FIRESYSOK]

I think we now know why he didn't take 'local' transportation:


As Sultan of Sokoto, he is considered the spiritual leader of Nigeria's 70 million Muslims, roughly 50 percent of the nation's population.[1] On November 2, 2006, Sa'adu Abubakar succeeded his brother, Mohammadu Maccido, who died on ADC Airlines Flight 53; the flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and had been destined for Sokoto.

[Nigd3]

Nice way to state your opinion PB. You've been there, had experiences and hence are able to provide the undisputed facts on Nigeria. Everyone else, who hasnt been there, can "shut the :mad: up".

I think someone else asked if anyone actually knew what happened. Did the Sultan deliberately try and delay the plane to flex his muscles, or was there another more normal reason?

BA did the correct thing (IMO) and off loaded him. His staff did the expected thing and issued statement regarding "disrespectful attitude from BA blah blah".

Who gives a toss in the end, all this storm in a teacup will be forgotten about in a few days.....unless this thread keeps going.

[keel beam]

I see an opportunity for Virgin Atlantic to start flights out of Abuja, a good PR spin that they will treat all customers with respect ...... even "Royalty".

Better than BA :hmm:

Perhaps the Sultan would like to contribute to the Wannabees section

[DozyWannabe]

Let me just make one thing clear here, I'm not excusing this guy's actions - by all accounts he behaved like a prize tit and the BA crew were right to leave, but some of the comments on here were frankly poisonous.

Lagos may be a nightmare route, and some of the people may be rude and boorish, but that doesn't give us the right to tar an entire country full of people with that brush, and we should at least lead by example. That's not PC, it's just common courtesy.

[hunterboy]

Isn't tarring someone with a brush a racist statement in this PC world?
Or has it all gone a little bit silly?

[paulg]

yes Dozy. What you say is so true. To criticize how you express what you mean in this situation and in the context of the prior discussion is really not to the point.

[Lone_Ranger]

Most Africans ive met are racist, but thats ok because they are allowed to be.....they are black

..and yes im one too

[keel beam]

Black or racist?:}

[brakedwell]

Is it racist to call a spade a spade? BTW can someone from the PC brigade explain why so many African States are still going from bad to worse after fifty years of independence?

[hunterboy]

It is racist to call a spade a spade in the context that you were using it. That is the pc world that we live in. If you were talking about garden implements and called a spade a spade, then it wouldn't be. (PaulG) I was trying to point out that seemingly innocuous statements or actions can be taken the wrong way, whether through misunderstanding or through somebody having an agenda. What I wouldn't do is hold myself up as being Mr PC....'cos I'm not. However, I'm not a racist either.
Edited for missing "u"'s on this keyboard

[paulg]

"Seemingly innocuous statements and actions can be taken the wrong way...." OK Hunterboy, you have a valid point here.:)

[Parrot]

There used to be a sign up at Lagos airport ...it said:
"Lagos, There is no place like it"

I have to agree;)

[AnthonyGA]

In this thread I've seen some intriguing but vague references to Ghana, implying that it's a better place to fly into or out of than Nigeria. Can anyone elaborate on the differences? (I'm just curious.)

[Metro man]

Had a similar experience, head of state didn't turn up on time and we were prevented from departing without him. Had we got away the consequences of leaving him behind would have been considerable for our traffic rights in one of our more important markets.

Standard protocol was a red carpet arrival at the aircraft with good bye handshakes. As we are a low cost carrier (yes seriously), he should have been in line with his boarding pass ready. We operate on 30min turn arounds.

If you want special treatment there are plenty of executive jets available for charter which will run to your schedule. If travelling on airlines be on time or get left behind. If you can't afford a private aircraft you aren't important enough to delay for.

[Coleman Myers]

A pal knows the BA man in Nigeria - this over reaction beggars belief. These guys are so puffed up with their own importance its ridiculous. Never mind "offloaded VIPS", the Nigerians should busy themselves fixing their ground aids, "recalcitrent" taxiways and general safety instead. That way the incumbent Sultan would probably still be "Sultan in waiting" .. :confused:

[condorbaaz]

More often than not, the VIP is guided to the VIP Lounge with an (implied?) message : we will call you when the flight is departing.

In this case maybe... the blokes sdvised him "your flight is departing now"... or the guy who was to inform him had to do something else etc...

Mostly this is the Airport or the Commercial staff who does this .
Not in the call of duty but beyond.. and then you have a SNAFU.

Also the stooges of the VIP also are over sensitive to this than the VIPs themselves.

Something of image to be projected....

Flight/Cabin Crew not at fault... just the last line of defence.. Capt asked to close doors, hurry up etc...

Now ready for the barrage...

[ExSp33db1rd]

Wife of a Sultan is a Sultana - says it all, really.

[MungoP]

We could be doing 'His Greateness ' an injustice here.... the simple truth may be that his 'Rolex' had stopped

[brakedwell]

We could be doing 'His Greateness ' an injustice here.... the simple truth may be that his 'Rolex' had stopped

What do you expect from a six quid Bangkok watch? :E

[digitalsoul]

First of all...why do leaders think they will be leaders everywhere?? well, this is not a Sokoto airline for F sake! I wouldnt even dare sorry for some Sultan...who knows...he could have been lugging some illegal stuff!....well, Nigerians first should polish their image worldwide...to be given a fare show

For the airline I have no comments... but all I know is anything brit and Brits themselves sucks!

[Paddington]

Quote "I think someone else asked if anyone actually knew what happened. Did the Sultan deliberately try and delay the plane to flex his muscles, or was there another more normal reason?"

I was told that he stayed in his office until informed that the last passenger had boarded and then set out for the airport.

What exactly did BA and the British High Commission apologise FOR?

[brakedwell]

For the airline I have no comments... but all I know is anything brit and Brits themselves sucks!
I hope you are not being racist, digitalsoul from Uganda! :)

[MungoP]

Digitalsoul:
For the airline I have no comments... but all I know is anything brit and Brits themselves sucks!

I remember when studying economics back when the world and I were young, spending a lot of time looking at the GNP of Nigeria and thinking what a wonderful place, as seemed much of Africa..... 40+ years on the place for the most part ( and I've worked in the most part ) is a complete pigs breakfast with corruption and incompetance rife and with dire misery suffered by most of the population....but that's obviously OK as they're being ripped off, butchered, raped and murdered by their own race... The British ex colonies have fared considerably better than French, Portugese and Belgian... So just how do you justify the above inanity ?

[Coleman Myers]

I suggest we call for sanctions on Nigeria until each and every one of the victims of its fraudualent "419" scam culture are compensated in full + bonus from the countrys oil revenue ... :*

[Metro man]

Alright ban BA from flying there then, in return ban any Nigerian operators from flying to the UK. See how they manage if they can't get to London for shopping trips, flight connections, drug smuggling, fraud etc

BA must be making alot of money on the route to justify putting up with all the "issues" involved in flying there. :yuk:

[merlinxx]

At least Virgin have now learnt their lesson, talks of pulling out and pulling the Virgin brand. Uncle Dicky was a bit slow on that one!

[SLF3b]

I think you will find Lagos and Abuja are some of BAs best routes because of the oil industry guys flying Club. They won't be withdrawing from the route anytime soon.

Most of the Nigerians I have met were honest, smart, savvy people who were as embarassed by their 'ruling classes' as I was. The low level baksheesh is no worse than in many countries where the poor don't earn enough to live.

Don't judge a country, especially a poor country, by the people flying in and out of it!

[Mugu Number Ten]

Please i need to draw your attention to the following facts:

The Sultan is one of the most revered leaders in Nigeria, and the Leader of Moslems.

He is not a political leader but a religious/traditional one.His title is now ceremonious and plays an advisory role.

Now when the incidence occurred,the Sultan did not take any offence or make any official comment, but the fact that he had a status, the press found a story.Imagine BA doing the same to the Queen of England, the Press will blow it out of proportion.

Now a political party in Nigeria inorder to seek relevance and cheap publicity decided to call for BA's Head. WHAT Has the sultangot to do with this forum and the bashing he isreceiving?

The Sultan of Sokoto is a very humble leader and is knownto stand for the rights of Nigerian impoverished masses and he tells the government the truth.

So,leave the sultan out of your insults. We are proud of him here in Nigeria and note again:The sultan or his office never did condemn BA for leaving him behind.The press and sycophants took advantage of the story.

[Doodlebug2]

HRH the Queen (King) has some status through the eons of time...the status of said Nigerian(s) is (are) rather more dubious....:*

[bushbolox]

Apologies for tangenital rant.
Digital soul,
Ill assume you're an indigenous Ugandan for the following post
Perfect example of pot calling the kettle black. Well lets assume Im the pot. You are an insult to kettles

You are right about the brits.
After all they were responsible for the Lowero triangle, the torture chambers in the Nile hotel , the endless bodies dumped in the nile at Jinja, Frozen Bishops heads, the expulsion of asians and twenty years of general Mayhem and generous helpings of murder and oppression.

Oh wait a minute it wasnt the brits it was the Ugandans, who by the way were never colonised, it was a protectorate signed away by greedy chiefs and mental Kabakas.
So If you are a Ugandan learn your history, if not you must just be a standard issue kn0b.
Im a brit and I worked covertly for Museveni and the nrm whilst living in in Kampala in 1985 under obote2 and Okello. Does tearing off a sleeve mean anything to you (it will if you were inviolved) or are you ignorant of the efforts that went in to allow you to be where you are now.

What exactly have you done for Uganda?Would you like all your refugees back, and I use the term loosley.

[Mugu Number Ten]

HRH the Queen (King) has some status through the eons of time...the status of said Nigerian(s) is (are) rather more dubious....http://static.pprune.org/images/smilies/bah.gif


Doodlebug or whatever your :mad: name is,you cant call the Nigerian Muslim leader dubious here.You are the one that is dubious. For your information, the British Monarchy has had a cordial and historical relationship with the sokoto caliphate. Go back to school and read history. You are a nonentity. I dont have your time :mad:

[brakedwell]

Spoken like a true Nigerian!!

[jnignon]

Dear africans,
why even bother reply to all this. We all know that white people are the most racist, criminal and dangerous people on earth. Just look at what happened in africa during slavery and colonial rule. As an example, 25 million congolese died during belgium rule. So just let it go it is no use even arguing we this muderers. To them,they are the perfect people who have it all figure out and call them selves civilizes. If they bomb your country and kill hundred of thousand of civilian like Irack it is ok. if they provide weapons to criminals that end up killing about a million people like in rwanda it is ok. If they sponsor civil war in your country because they want to keep the majority of the profits from natural resources guess what, it is ok. After all we are just a bunch of unwanted black people.
what i dont understand about white people is, they are so critical of africa and africans, but look at the forum,it is one of the most visited forum here on PPRUNE.
I dont care what you white people say, you just hate us black. It is in your gene and it showed throughout history. Just answer something for me we you even bother reading the africa section here.
At least the world is changing. maybe we may even have a black man as the leader of the free world. I know you white europeans hate it so much.:ok:

[Jetdriver]

Lets get this thread back on track or it ends !

[Coleman Myers]

Mugu Number Ten

I agree that HM the Sultan is a revered and wonderful man.I doubt BA are loosing too much sleep, having probably apologised and given HM many free air miles and complimentary flights etc. Lets hope that they don't leave him behind next time !.

jnignon
Your rant is completely racist in its orientation, dull, boring and of no relevance to aviation.The whites read and participate in the African forum because a large number of whites are Africans.And an even larger number absolutely do not hate black people and love Barak Obama.

PS get yourself a dictionary.

[jnignon]

PS get yourself a dictionary

First of all english is my third language. How about we try this in french or my native language and see how you will do.
Second like I said white people are racist perioda. I can give you plenty of example to justify my claim. for a start just go back read the whole thread and you will all the insult that was directed toward the Sultan of Sokoto. Do you people know disturbing this is to the Nigerian???

[chizelchest]

" Second like I said white people are racist perioda."

That has to be the most ignorant statement of this entire thread, or any thread I've read in quite some time for that matter. Good one jnignon.

[Jetdriver]

Obviously not !