Movers
 

I recently flew back aboard the infamous Afghan air bridge and had to point out the following:
My flight was delayed 24 hours in order to allow passengers from an earlier flight onboard following the non arrival of their aircraft. The movement staff headed by a SSgt were exemplary in their mood and attitude, a real credit to the unit.
I asked if I could stay and wait in case their were a few no shows and they were more than happy to look after my bags etc and helped with a cuppa and a chair. The flight closed and indeed there was a couple of seats free and hey ho I was on.
Through the rapid scan, again with a nice jovial atmosphere and onto the pallet went my bags.
The aircraft left on time and arrived an Brz on time too.
With so many bad experiences of movement staff being highlighted I thought it worthy to mention a good one. To the female SSgt at KAF I thank you and your team for your kind efforts.
M4

credit where credits due, but don't get too carried away.

Whats that about not leaving unattended baggage again?

It wasn't unattended. The movers were looking after it.

96% of all PRO (Passenger Reporting Officer) returns are positive. The 4% get the bad publicity and people don't mention good service.

Many thanks for posting this and addressing the balance.

*Awaits the stone-throwers and higher forms of life to pour scorn or provide the other view*

I sometimes wonder that the closer you get to the sharp end the more the movers seem to go the extra mile (and, incidentally, the more us SLF are happy to cut them some slack). Or maybe it's just me. Always had good service from International movers at KAIA though.

Flash

I'd put that as a general point for all Trades and Branches - shared suffering and adversity makes us pull together, so everyone is making the effort that bit more when down range.

And speaking of the International movers at KAIA, I believe NATO are trying to privatise CATO! I'm sure I saw an advert on the ISAF? website advertising jobs with CATO.

Talking Radalt
 

So if I asked PC Bloggs or Norma the body frisker at Heathrow to look after my bag while I popped off for a sit down and cuppa at Starbucks, he/she would say "no probs me old mate, you take your time"?

Avtur wrote:
So if I asked PC Bloggs or Norma the body frisker at Heathrow to look after my bag while I popped off for a sit down and cuppa at Starbucks, he/she would say "no probs me old mate, you take your time"?
Exactly my point, how very nice of them to offer. I did however decline and look after it myself.

I too had a very positive experience returning from KAF. The movers were first class and really helped us out of a tight spot. Thanks very much to them, credit where credit is due. Can't say the same about 216 who gleefully crewchanged/refuelled in probably the only airport where disembarkation was not an option. Still having selected it for it's convenience, they proceeded to tell the bootnecks returning from 6 months in the stan what a great time they were going to have there.:ugh:

I don't think there are many airports in that part of the world that will permint the disembarkation of uniformed troops. Although if you want to wander around an middle eastern airport in your combats you are welcome to try!

I am also pretty sure that 216 don't get to pick and choose their routes / refuel stops "for their convinience." Factors such as fire cover, PCNs and Dip Clears are all taken into account.

Just a guess mind.

why is that airfield chosen? Quite simple,it can handle the jet with least amount of fuss, you would not want us to use the other available airfields trust me!!!!
Offside of the crew, assuming it was the cabin crew here, to be making a big thing about having a night off in a hotel when the boys are coming out of theatre and would not even try to make any excuse for that, generally they do know better but if pax chat and ask the question is that bragging????

There is a good operational reason why we have to use an airfield in the region, the other obvious airfield a bit further up has got very little pan space, struggles to cope with a Trimotor turnround in a decent time and has no accom available, they struggled to find beds for the crew never mind 100Plus pax if the jet goes U/S

but back to the origional thread, good to hear that yr trip home went well and you were generaly looked after
yr not a mover by any chance are you?

But it's not Heathrow, is it?
Mutleyfour was shown a little camaraderie and understanding by some fellow Borthers/Sisters in Arms who wear the same uniform and cap badge, in much the same way the PC Bloggs in your scenario would cut some slack to a fellow civvy plod.

It's not Christmas is it? are you sure this is Pprune? what about all the squabbling and whining? With all this warm and fluffy, I think I'm going to cry

Well done the Movers

Odds were they would get it right once.............but doubt it will be a lasting thing :E

I think you'll find I've walked through most airports in the Middle East in uniform at some point or other. But that was not my point. Well done the movers..of which I am not one, 14 Greens.

Pretty sure that I was in uniform when we stopped in Saudi on route to Brunei. Although things have changed a wee bit since then.

Current policy in middle east civvie airports is for crew to transit the airport in civilian clothing.
Has been for at least the last couple of years for obvious reasons

Pax were allowed in to the terminal on one occasion, but it caused a lot of problems with local security. As for going ground side and down the airport in greens or browns or sands or whatever, do you really think its a good idea?:confused: