MAS - is there hope?

Yesterday, I made a trip to Singapore and my experience with MAS is getting from bad to worst.

I was booked on MH605 at 16:30 that departs at Gate H04 at the main building. On the way to get the boarding pass, I stopped by the KLIA information counter - the lady had actually informed me that the flt was cancelled.

Feeling a bit disappointed, I went to the MAS check-in counter to enquire if the flt was indeed cancelled. I was assured that it wasn't. To my relief. The check-in counter told me that she had already checked in 55 other passengers - so it can't be cancelled. So far, so good.

Just as I was going into the immigration level, I noticed at the departure screen that flt MH605, has indeed been cancelled!! I went to the check-in counter again and this time was told that they have just received the information "abt 2-3 mins ago"... ?? What are they talking abt when the KLIA staffs are able to tell me about the cancellation earlier than the MAS staffs?



I was then issued another boarding pass for flt MH613 at 17:30 that departs from gate H08. I thought, "what to do?" - this is after all MAS... Hence, I went over to the premium lounge just to pass some time while waiting for the flt. The premium lounge is at satellite building C.

At about 16:45, I took the train over to gate H08 - while on the way, the announcement came and it mentioned that flt MH613 now departs from gate C22! Realising that I was at a different building - I quickly rushed over to satellite building C. Initially, I was having an easy stroll and then suddenly - I had to make a dash to the gate for fear of missing the flt!! Looks to me that, for MAS, change is the only constant - or rather inconvenience is the only constant.

MAS - what a way to treat your passengers!

Stagflation - What is It?

Oil price

The world oil has been going up rapidly over the last 12 months but we, in Malaysia do not seem to be feeling the impact until last week when there was a 40% increase in the petrol price to RM2.70 per liter. Oil price went to a record of US$139.12 last Friday and it is expected to go up to US$150 - US$180 by the 2nd half of the year before adjusting downward. Personally, while we have been watching CNN and CNBC about the oil price future - there was no immediate impact. Now that the impact is here - we have to ask ourselves this question - what do we do and how do we move forward?

1997, again...

Rewind 10 years ago - we have a fairly similar situation 10 years ago when we have the Asian currency crisis - prices were going up everyday, no one was buying anything, no government tender - most purchasing activities come to a stand still for about 6 - 9 months. Will the same scenario happen to us in Malaysia, again? I would say that the next 6 months will be challenging time for many of us. We are moving into a phase of stagflation - stagnant growth with inflation.

What then?

Like 1997, while it is a tough period, it is also a good time for the forward looking people to plan, consolidate and prepare for the future. For the sales people like us, companies who are serious about their future will be a "qualified" opportunities for us to call upon.

"Tough times don't last but tough people do"

Dr. Robert Schuler

For the individual - we must take advantage of this situation to strengthen and build ourselves - growth and self-development should be a priority during this period. As for me, I hope to ride out this period stronger and more resilient.

Back after 2 months

Time off

I decided to take some time off after noticing that a lot of blogs and bloggers are very involved in political comments - about any issues or non-issues. In my view our country is getting into the path of "too much politics". What we all need is not about politics but about "what makes sense to all of us" - it's the economy.

Areas to Focus

People are talking about Pakatan Rakyat, Barisan UMNO, MP crossover, the demise of Gerakan, the snoop squard of MCA and so forth. Do I really care?? I don't!! In my blog, I will be focusing my attentions to areas that I really care about...