Well thank-you Virgin Blue, no I didn't actually want my paddles in one piece, I would much rather have them both snapped in half





Apparently the 2 fragile stickers weren't clear enough. But somebody tell me whats heavy enough to snap 2 carbon fibre paddles in half as well as dent a bamboo Big Stick?

They used to be my favourite airline....

Kristi

Ouch!!
They were my favourite, Air Asia a close second but that will have me thinking.

The buggers.. .. Jeez I'd be soooooo pissed off.

Looks like we're gunna need a big heavy 10" dia PVC pipe to use as a travel case for our paddles.

DJ

Not happy!
I used to think they were good too, but the tail of my board got cracked on the last tripback from vicco.
Pity there's not a choice of airlines to fly with Sup's.

OG SUP,

It's a shame you aren't overly close to a major Virgin Office. Actually, I you transit with work a bit. I think you should definitely stroll on into one of their offices, and lay it down as it is !!

Arm yourself with the images, insurance, etc.... They will be "sh!ting bricks" going face to face with you....

You should start out with;
"listen, we can do this 2 ways.... they easy way, or the hard way, your choice.... you and your insurer will need to replace 2 paddles, and this is my story.... "

Can't wait to hear about this one !!! Good luck, but you shouldn't need much luck.... If I was Mr Ombudsman, it's a pretty simple case of "duty of care". 2 paddles snapped in the same spot, in transit, is pretty clear evidence.

If they don't come to the party on this one, I won't have ANY pity on their souls in hell !!

I do however pity their souls for now, for getting you cross !! If I was making the decisions at Virgin Blue / Alliance, at the 5-10 minute mark, I would be able to see that this is maybe a $600 problem, that can be resolved RIGHT NOW with a simple "Ex Gratia Cheque", or it can become a real headache really quick !! Oh, they have upset the wrong father !!

Don't whinge to hard, as the other option is to truck freight your gear everywhere!!! Did you go and see them at the virgin desk when you hot off the plane? I know someone who broke a paddle in flight and went to see them at the service desk and they took care of things. I would hate to see virgin go like jet star because they get complaints about doing some thing that not many other airlines do. MO anyway

Jacko

paul.j said...

Don't whinge to hard, as the other option is to truck freight your gear everywhere!!! Did you go and see them at the virgin desk when you hot off the plane? I know someone who broke a paddle in flight and went to see them at the service desk and they took care of things. I would hate to see virgin go like jet star because they get complaints about doing some thing that not many other airlines do. MO anyway

Jacko

Some people have to pay retail for their gear and don't like it when it gets trashed..

paul.j said...

Don't whinge to hard, as the other option is to truck freight your gear everywhere!!! Did you go and see them at the virgin desk when you hot off the plane? I know someone who broke a paddle in flight and went to see them at the service desk and they took care of things. I would hate to see virgin go like jet star because they get complaints about doing some thing that not many other airlines do. MO anyway

Jacko

Jacko,

I have been away on business up until Friday, we only found the damage today when we took the paddles out of the car.

I have had several calm conversations with Virgin today and they have been exceedingly blunt.

Again what has me pissed is the fact I specifically asked were they covered and was told yes twice.

The bag check in assitant said put a fragile sticker on it to ensure it does not get damaged the call center operator directly advised me as soon as you put a fragile sticker on it the bag paddles etc it is no longer covered WTF?

Simondo said...

Jacko, Phill doesn't whinge, he just says it like it is. But you make a good point.

Phill, go easy on them to start with !!

Hey Simondo / Jacko,

The key is to get to the decision maker and your right face to face is the go!

I dont want blood, what i want is common sense in this case.

As Towny points out for the average Joe this would be a 1150 - 1300 loss, kinda gives you a bad hair day even when you dont have any hair!

62mac said...

Sorry OG you have totally lost me here.

**** happens on every flight right,I have traveled with V for years mostly OS with longboards and only had one damaged but **** does happen right.

I would NOT go out on a forum and smash any product or brand,more to the point every airline has its ups and downs and sorry to hear about the snapped sticks,but are we not sponsored.

MAC

Hey Mac,

**** happens al the time and usually I dont give a rats and take it on the chin

Kristi is sponsored everyone knows that, I'm not I pay for my paddles always have!

My point is simple, you pay for an insurance product to protect you when travel which in fact is worthless. Why sell it?

Its a warning to others about what can happen.

Regards

Phill

Craig had this been the case and I signed the form or had been advised if I put a fragile sticker on the bag it voids the insurance , I would not be pissed off thats a fair and reasonable .

Phill

Yes I agree you should of been told ,hopefully when you speak to them and bring this point up ,you get a result in your favour .

Boylos

OG SUP said...

62mac said...

Sorry OG you have totally lost me here.

**** happens on every flight right,I have traveled with V for years mostly OS with longboards and only had one damaged but **** does happen right.

I would NOT go out on a forum and smash any product or brand,more to the point every airline has its ups and downs and sorry to hear about the snapped sticks,but are we not sponsored.

MAC

Hey Mac,

**** happens al the time and usually I dont give a rats and take it on the chin

Kristi is sponsored everyone knows that, I'm not I pay for my paddles always have!

My point is simple, you pay for an insurance product to protect you when travel which in fact is worthless. Why sell it?

Its a warning to others about what can happen.

Regards

Phill

Ok - just to clarify - who are we actually attacking here now ? It seems that we are finally getting to the point of the complaint - the non coverage of the the insurance of the damaged product right ? I am suprised that this has raised its head in this forum way before exhaustive interaction with the insurance company concerned and then the appropriate ombudsman or next line of complaint/enquiry.
Hey I feel for ya Kristy and it matters not whether someone is sponsored or a retailer or whomever they are or whatever they pay for their gear - it still hurts having equipment damaged/lost and that equipment has still cost someone good money to manafacturer and import - boards and equipments dont just appear from the factory free of charge.
However I really do think that we need to be very careful ragging too heavily on what is probably the last decent airline that carries surfboards generally without any drama domestically or overseas. It would be a real tragedy if virgin like most other airlines just get the sh#ts with carrying larger boards and then nobody will be able to fly with their longboards/sups anywhere.

they looked like they were kicked against a wall and snapped....the bamboo big stick has heaps of flex

in just sayin
j

I got it,it was a longboarder baggage handler involved

62mac said...

I got it,it was a longboarder baggage handler involved

That got a laugh Mac now it all makes sense ha ha ha the longboarder did it!

Phill

Bummer Kristy/Phil! Hope you get it sorted.

A lesson I learnt when travelling with shortboards is you need to check everything when you pick up your gear on arrival.

A mate of mine returned from Samoa with 3 broken boards, with fragile stickers attached (and he signed the damage waiver)
but checked his gear at the airport and straight away approached customer service. Had no worries getting the claim through.

I returned from QLD and didn't check my boards and when I got home realised I had all 3 glassed fins snapped. I got the run
around for weeks and in the end was left high and dry.

Another friend of mine who worked for Quantas Freight and now Virgin Pacific told me to always check your gear at the airport as
once you leave they will make it almost impossible to get your claim through. Otherwise there's no proof it was done in transit.

Anyway, goodluck! Keep us posted.