An Ordeal to Remember

 September 4th 2013

 Dear Journal,

 I have never thought that I would be this angry in my entire life! I can’t believe how a one hour trip from Lagos to Calabar turned into a 2 day trip! Before you say that I am overreacting, please read the full details of the reason for my mood.

 I woke up at 5:30am on the 4th of September and headed very early to the airport to my destination, Calabar (which is where I currently reside).

On arrival, I encountered the first hurdle- I was 52kg overweight! I was not happy at all having to pay more than my flight money for just luggage but for the sake of convenience, I did.

Having gone through the necessary process of getting aboard the plane, I sighed with satisfaction when we took off. Finally, heading home at last after a great weekend completing my task with a wonderful friend.

I slept off after a while only to wake up to the feeling that we have been on the plane for too long. Being awake now, I immediately noticed that our plane was hovering over the Calabar airport but couldn't land because of the bad weather.

Then came the voice of the pilot saying that due to heavy rain and winds, the plane is unable to land in Calabar and a diversion will be made to Port Harcourt.

Being my sensible self, I didn't complain or worry, I knew there was no cause for alarm and we'll be back in Calabar in no time. Little did I know that I will receive the shock of my life soon enough. I was starving at this time because I didn't eat the snack served on the plane. (don't judge me, I am vegetarian and chicken pie doesn’t fall under the veggie food)

When we landed in Port Harcourt, I reached for my bag that had a pack of granola bars and nibbled on those in the hope that this diversion wouldn't be for long. (I was in for a surprise)

We waited for a really long time; maybe an hour and a half before a voice was heard through the microphone (this time female). She said that because the weather conditions have not improved in Calabar, we have been advised to either disembark or return to Lagos with the plane.

I felt very horrible seeing that I had that entire luggage to drag by road to Calabar but I was thinking that a vehicle will not be a problem since provision will be made for us by Aero Contractors. With that thought, I disembarked and wrote my name in a piece of paper as instructed and waited.

To my amazement, I saw the Aero team removing all our luggage from the plane. As if that wasn't bad enough, they were giving people their luggage on the runway! 

I mentally started to resign myself to the possibility that no arrangement has been made for us to be transported to Calabar but I wouldn't accept this stupid act of handing out luggage at the runway *eyes rolling*. I have to admit it was partly for the selfish reason that I might have to haul 74kg worth of luggage through the airport until I get a taxi.

 I walked up to one member of the team and firmly asked that they take the entire luggage to arrivals and let us claim our luggage there. Of course, I didn't fail to point out my dilemma to him. Surprisingly, he saw reasons with me and suggested that it be done as I requested (I was already gearing up for a debate)

It was a small victory but I couldn't help the anger I felt towards Aero especially after I found out that the Arik flight from Abuja had landed in Calabar. What hurt more was the fact that the Arik flight from Lagos that diverted to Port Harcourt later went back to Calabar barely half an hour after we disembarked.

I think we, Nigerians put up with the unfair treatment of these airlines and that is why the situation persists. How many people will demand compensation for that dreadful experience? How many people will refuse to fly Aero Contractors again due to that treatment? How many of us will write a petition against Aero to the aviation authorities until we find the answers we want?  How many of us will even keep asserting ourselves until the verdict is in our favour? How many of us will even entertain the thought of suing Aero?

I know that lots of people will even find this funny or ridiculous. People have even said to me “Sharon, this is not America or the UK, things don’t work like that here” Maybe it doesn’t, but does it hurt to dream that something will at least come out of it. If we can’t dream, can we achieve? Even if eventually nothing comes out of it, will we keep trying?

Well, I don’t need anyone’s encouragement to write my petition and I will follow up until something comes out of it. Feel free to comment please and provide details on the best way forward and how situations like this can be handled better in the future.