Airborne Folly

Have you noticed the increasingly peculiar baggage policies of airlines?

It first really came to my attention last Summer, when my brother and his family flew over for a visit from England to the Netherlands. On the flight out, at the airport, they were annoyingly told they had to pay for their baggage to accompany them.

'I thought an airfare included your baggage,' my brother said, as he walked through my front door. 'What a rip off!'

These days, unless you are signed up as a 'member' of some airline's club, any bags for the hold are not included in the airfare. Pretty stupid really, but ok, for a quiet life I signed up. But wait . . . after luring me in, recently I received an email and they had moved the goal posts again. Now my Ivory membership didn't include baggage. I had to have a gold encrusted bejewelled one with bells and whistles - plus have taken 15 flights with them to regain the privilege.

Why?

Logically, most people travel with a change of clothes and personal effects. Agreed? It goes without saying that some sort of bag, filled with a change of clothes and personal effects generally accompanies you on a trip and is included in the ticket price.

Obviously, the rules are changing and being replaced by quick money makers to cover the rising costs of fuel. Or is there really a weight issue in the aeroplane's hold? Or could we be, as I suspect being right and royally ripped off? I'm not going to blame this one on the aftermath of the economic downturn because let's face it that excuse has been worn ragged.

As far as flights to sunny destinations are concerned, this scenario is not entirely new. For the last couple of years, when flying to places like Crete, Greece. I have been paying for my baggage and did assume it was a weight issue. When you look at what other people at check-in are taking with them for two weeks in the sun, it's mind boggling and payment by weight then seems a fair solution. They're the ones who have arrived at the airport at six in the morning in 16 degrees celsius, already dressed for the beach. In flip-flops and beach attire they buzz around their candy coloured hard-shell cases; enjoyment is a prerequisite of the trip. Forgive my cynicism, but do you really need that many cases - it's only two weeks!

Charges are per kilo weight and you can choose your package! I'm not complaining (*sigh*) but the extras do mount up. This Summer, for our trip to Greece, I have chosen 20 kg per person, per bag. at a cost of 20,00 euros per person. Ok, that's an extra 40,00 euros and in the scheme of things doesn't break the bank. But wait . . . did I mention it's each way? That's a total of 80,00 euros!

When it comes to the validity of this baggage charge, on the outward journey they certainly take notice of the kilo allowances at check-in. On the way back, however, no one cares - it's far too hot and the Greeks don't seem to be bothered by the absurdities of kilo allowances, as they shovel tourists on and off planes. They probably wouldn't bat an eyelid, if along with the raki, honey, herbs, shot glasses, Metaxa, shells and jewellery . . . I had a donkey in my luggage!

And there's more . . .

Another newly implemented delight is that the pre flight seat reservation is also no longer free, unless it is 24 hours before the flight. To reserve an ordinary seat it will cost 7,50 euros per person, each way, unless of course you want to stretch your legs - in the special seats - over the plane's wing by the emergency exits. That will cost you 15.00 euros per person each way. Although I did buy into this option - because I want to travel with my son and not have to wave at him from the other end of the plane - I'm not keen on it because it as a potential to encourage the mob mentality of bagging seats.

At times like this, I wish I could sprout wings and avoid all this nonsense, or that teleportation had been perfected as the way to travel - as in Star Trek -  but until then . . .

I expect in the not too distant future, fuel and tickets prices will rise again and then they will have to dream up some other scheme - a charge for oxygen on the flight maybe:

'Do you want to breathe for the whole flight, madam. Or will a couple of hours be sufficient?'

'You're a blond? Oh dear, it's Thursday - I'm afraid only brunettes travel for free today.'

'If your child fits into this baggage frame, you'll be exempt from the new 'travelling children tax'.

As I post this, it's probably pouring with rain, in Holland. I've made it to the sun and I am lounging by the pool - in 32 degrees - sipping a cocktail. The pernickety baggage and seat issues are but a hazy memory . . .

© Alison Day Designs

Webshop

Posted with Blogsy

Summer Activities in the Netherlands

Bourtange

The 16 century fortress of Bourtange can be found in the Northern Netherlands in the municipality of Westerwolde, just east of Stadskanaal, close to the German border.

William of Orange ordered the fortified pentagon to be constructed as a result of the ongoing Eighty Years’ War between the Dutch and the Spanish. He wanted to suppress the Spanish who, at that time had managed to acquire Groningen and much of the northern territories.

Most of the buildings in Bourtange were built between 1645 and 1666, but by the 20 century not much remained. Reconstruction in 1972, means that the fortress is reminiscent of Bourtange in 1742, at its biggest.

Apart from the fort at Bourtange there are a variety of things to do and see. There is the village, with its restaurants, a traditional old style hotel,

souvenir shops, museums and some enjoyable walks in the surrounding area. Once a year there is a spectacular re-enactment of the Napoleonic fights of 1814. With cannons booming, hundreds of participants all dressed in the traditional dress of the day and carrying authentic weapons, re-enact the fight as soldiers and civilians.

Bourtange is also open for groups, school groups (for which they have numerous educative programmes available), and it is even possible to get married there.

The fort can be visited the whole year round. For more information the on site information centre is open weekdays from 09.00 – 17.00 and in the weekends (summer season) 11.00 – 17.00. Tel: (0599) 354 600.

Ballooning

Here’s another idea for the summer. Ever wanted to get a bird’s eye view of the Benelux from the clouds, whilst sitting in a straw basket. Well, for the brave at heart, how about taking a flight in a hot air balloon with family or friends?

Greetzz is a company that offers hot air balloon flights with numerous different ‘take off’ locations throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. Or should you wish it you could arrange your own flight destination from start to finish. If you fancy seeing Groningen or any of the Northern Provinces from a different angle, or to venture further afield, Greetzz are happy to accommodate your wishes.

With experienced, certified, professional pilots you can be assured of not only a safe but also an enjoyable flight. Each round trip flight lasts around an hour and includes a Champagne toast whilst ‘on-board’. Photos are always taken during the flight as a memento.

Tickets for a flight are all inclusive and prices start from: 1-6 tickets for € 160,00 per ticket. There are discounts for bigger groups. For a child’s flight  a ticket costs € 99,00.

Should a balloon be a little on the slow side and you are more of a speed freak; Greetzz also offers flights by helicopter. They have a range of different helicopters, the sppeds of which vary from between 150km – 250km per hour, depending on which helicopter you choose. This will guarantee to put a smile on your face!

For more information or to book a flight visit their website: (Dutch).

Landal – Stroombroek

For a short break from the hustle and bustle a few days at one of the Landal GreenParks is perfect especially if you have children. We tried one at Stroombroek in Braamt not far from Arnhem.

The park has self-catering houses of varying sizes, and in some even pets are allowed. The secure nature of the park means that it is a children’s paradise. They can go off and enjoy themselves whilst you can stretch out in the sun with a book. Mascot, Bollo the Bear is on site every day and kids can make the use of go-carts, swim, play mini golf, go bowling or just jump up and down on a large bouncy cushion. Every day there are also different organized activities to choose from.  

At Stroombroek there is a large lake with a small beach and the possibility to water-ski. The staff at the Greek style information centre, Palestra are very friendly and helpful. There is also a little shop where you can buy essential items as well as warm bread rolls early in the morning. Should you not feel like cooking there is a large restaurant with a reasonably priced buffet on site. For adults there is the sauna and beauty salon offering every form of relaxation and pampering you can imagine.

First published in the Connections magazine #20 Summer 2008 

View all issues of Connections HERE (editor, designer, illustrator: 2006-2013)

©  Alison Day Designs

What's Hot, What's Not! - BMI – Travel the Bungling Mindless Idiots way!

Having notched up a fair few air miles over the years, to a multitude of destinations around the world, I generally assume that when I touch down again so will my luggage.

Oh, how wrong can one be? This Christmas, what should have been a short jaunt from Schipol airport Amsterdam to London Heathrow turned into a guess where your luggage is marathon and an insight into what lying toads BMI are when they claim: ‘yes, madam your bag will be with you within 24 hours.’

Two of us were left standing helplessly at the carousel at Heathrow without our luggage. The helpdesk assured us that our luggage would re-appear and be delivered to wherever we were in the UK. At this point, I wasn’t that worried and was mildly amused by the jokes from the BMI personnel, who said that two missing bags was nothing per flight and that one had to experience everything in life at least once!

So, I continued my onward journey to Oxford and in the interim time bought some new makeup and borrowed underwear. But three days later, on Christmas Eve, when my luggage still hadn’t turned up I was getting worried and disappointed as I hadn’t planned on wearing the same outfit for three days.

After many frustrating phone calls, to what turned out to be a call centre in India, of all places, visits to the BMI website to track my luggage (totally useless, as it never seemed to get updated), and the attempt to find a real person to talk to at BMI in England, instead of a computerized voice, my luggage finally turned up.

The case was delivered by a man in an unmarked, white van: ‘Which one is yours?’ he said, as I peered into the back of the van, choc-a-block with lost cases. Ignoring the bumper deluxe Chanel suitcase, relieved, I dove for my own black suitcase, which incidentally was also full of my Christmas presents.

Cartoon: Matt, Daily Telegraph, GB

The story doesn't end there. A friend of mine, Kim, was less fortunate. Going through the same bungling procedure, her bag didn't turn up at all, even after 10 days. Yes, on Christmas Day she had no Christmas presents to give out BMI! Finally, being pretty annoyed she phoned BMI and offered to come and pick it up herself. At Heathrow she was ushered into what turned out to be an enormous hall filled wall to wall with thousands of suitcases. Here she found her luggage but what about the fate of the other bags? In a blonde moment BMI had removed all the labels with the baggage numbers, so now their job of re-uniting the lost bags with their owners was made even more hopeless.

In these high tech days it doesn't really promote ‘peace and goodwill to all men’, when one is unable to get an honest answer as to where ones luggage went from a computerized telephone voice. Also, wearing the same clothes for longer then two days and going out to buy interim underwear is a bore, when you know your case is full of all those lovely clothes specially packed for the festive season. So BMI, at the very least you owe me, Kim and all the other owners of the mislaid bags an apology and if you were feeling really generous…the next flight should be on you! 

First published in the Connections magazine #19 Spring 2008 

View all issues of Connections HERE (editor, designer, illustrator: 2006-2013)

©  Alison Day Designs