Sanctions Urged against British Airways for leaving a 'Sultan' behind
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we shot the last but one 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.
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.
VC10 reg 9G ABO
. 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.
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why haven't we yet seen the screams of "Bigot!" "Racist!" on this thread?
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...
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.
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Have pity
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.
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.
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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...
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...
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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?
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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?
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?
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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.
So its not as if we don't do it to our own.
Junior trash
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The point, CM, is the question of who made Nigeria that way, and I think you'll find it was us.
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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?
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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?
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.
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There is a biblical reference that I cannot remember, along the lines of "As it was yesterday......". Perhaps someone can fill in the dots?
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?
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And...?
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.
"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.
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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?
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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!
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!
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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.
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.