Good Bye Air Jamaica

Photo By Levar Gardon http://visual-embrace.com/

So as of the eve of April 30, 2010 the pride of the Jamaican sky, the Lovebird, the Jamaican national airline, Air Jamaica is no more. The government of Jamaica has once again succeeded in selling off another piece of Jamaica, another product of this country which defined it's individuality. I admit it has been a burden on the pockets of tax payers, but it is sad to see an icon of Jamaican nationalism go, and not just phased out but to be turned over into the hands of another country just as so many other local companies.

However I will not sit and lament on the shortcomings of the ones who instead of leading the country, are merely running it to the ground with their selfish, corrupt practices. Instead I will say a farewell to our national carrier and reminisce on the days when Jamaica had it's own pride in the sky, it's own name in the skies, it's own national airline. It was not always smooth going traveling with Air Jamaica, but it was our national carrier and as a somewhat patriotic Jamaican I always opted to fly Air Jamaica... even though most of the time it resulted in my cursing and ranting on my blog about their never ending delays (here, here, and here). Nevertheless, it had a great safety track record compared to other airlines, and that was a big encouragement to endure the lengthy delays that the average Air Jamaica customer had to endure. I will never forget though the in-flight meals which I enjoyed, maybe because I was so famished after their customary delays, the free headsets for the in-flight music and movies and of course the complementary champagne they used to offer... which they always mix with orange juice at my request.

Despite the protest of many Jamaicans, staff members and even the attempt of a pilot and staff conglomerate to buy the airline, it is now official that Caribbean Airlines has purchased our national carrier and Air Jamaica shall be no more. Within six months it will only be a faint memory and be replaced by the name and colours of the Trinidad based Caribbean Airlines. The employees of the former Air Jamaica have received their redundancy cheque, including a former coworker who left my department at what was Cable and Wireless Jamaica (now LIME) to work at Air Jamaica. I saw him at Mega Mart on Saturday and could only welcome him to the Unemployed Club and wish him all the best. My like hate relationship with Air Jamaica has come to an end. So I guess this is my farewell to the national carrier of the island of Jamaica, my farewell to Air Jamaica. Good by Air Jamaica, you will always be in our memories and in the hearts of so many Jamaicans here in Jamaica and abroad.

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The Spirit of Jamaica

After months of searching, proposals, negotiations it has finally happened. The pride of the Jamaican skies, the cash strapped Air Jamaica has been sold. Yes, the national airline of Jamaica has been sold as with most of the things owned by Jamaica, JPS, Carib Cement, several beaches, etc. But who was brave enough to by an airline that has been in the red for as long as I can remember?

According to The Gleaner, Air Jamaica has been bought by one of its newer competitors, Spirit Airlines, which entered the Jamaican market in recent years. It seems Spirit, led by Indigo Partners LLC and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management LLC, won the bid over the Trinidad owned Caribbean Airlines to become the new owner of the Jamaican national airline. The sale of Air Jamaica has now signaled the end of Air Jamaica and the end of the era of the country having its own national carrier, as the name will now be changed to Spirit of Jamaica.

No doubt this acquisition of Air Jamaica, will mean more than just a name change to Spirit of Jamaica. No doubt Spirit will be implementing it's practices and method of operations on this new airline. It will impose policies that it feels are in its best interest as a company to survive. These could include the cutting of meals from flights, charging for snacks and separate fees for luggage, changes in routes, to name a few. The sale of the airline will also have an impact on the staff of the former Air Jamaica, as some will loose their jobs as with any merger or acquisition.

As mentioned before, this is yet just one more Jamaican, owned company to be sold to an overseas company. In this case however, the government was being told to sell this company due to it's constant loss and heavy debt. The divestment of Air Jamaica and privatization of Air Jamaica was seen by many as a good move and a way for the government to get rid of some of its debts. Good move or not, one thing is for sure, we have lost our national airline, one more of the few things Jamaican.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090704/lead/lead1.html

PS: I have included a poll at the bottom of the page.

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Back from Foreign!

Yes my friends, as indicated by the song above, my tour in "Foreign" has come to an end and I'm back on Jamaican soil. Isn't it so fascinating how much time flies when you are on vacation and having fun? Now I'm back on the rock and with not even a second to spare as I am back on the daily grind for Backra Massa bright and early Saturday morning.

My Flight down wasn't too bad, where time was concerned. I had a connecting flight at Montego Bay and I experienced only an overall delay of about one and a half hours. The flight from New York to Montego Bay was operated by North American Airlines, an let me tell you I have never flown on a plane that made so many scary noises! I staying far from dem old plane deh! I even experienced some serious turbulence that spilled about a quarter of my coffee and mimosa! One thing I have noticed though from my flights on North American and Delta Airlines is that their pilots don't fly as gently as our Air Jamaica pilots. Maybe it's just my imagination, but those pilots rough wid the landing. An Air Jamaica "loyal" passenger like me not used to such rough treatment.

Anyway I have work in the morning suh m nah tarry!

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Passenger's Log, Air 'Always Delayed'

04:15 am: Stunner's alarm goes off and after snoozing the alarm for 10 minutes I finally get up out of bed. hop in the shower, make some coffee, check and double checked, then it was off to the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA).

06:15 am: I arrived at NMIA, and was greeted by an everlasting check-in line that seemed to never end. So being the Stunner I am I stepped past than pathetic line. Well, no I'm no big shot at the Airport and no I can't afford Fist Class. The night before I decided to try the Air Jamaica Web-check-in, so I proceeded to the web check-in line which only had 3 persons it. While in the line I received a text message that the flight to Montego Bay was delayed by 1 hour. Yes, travel savvy Stunner signed up for light notification. One hour delay was no biggy, I was expecting that so it was off to the waiting lounge. My, my NMIA has certainly changed, escalator, elevator, conveyor belt! Wah, we have first world airport deh though!

08:30 am: The plane taxi's down to the runway and we were off to Montego bay to catch the connecting flight to New York! Stunner still has a smile on his face.

09:30 am: The plane arrives at Sangster International Airport and I'm sitting in the departure lounge waiting to board the next flight. An announcement rings out on the PA system, "...flight number 'now delayed again' will not be leaving until 11:00 am, Air 'Always late' apologizes for the inconvenience." by this time passengers have started to quarrel and bicker in true Jamaican, Air Jamaica passenger style. But not Stunner, I expected this, I just plug in my cell phone's headset and listed to some Fame FM and chatted on the phone to my friends.

11:00 am: Another announcement rings out, "... flight number 'delayed even more' will not be leaving until 4:30 pm, Air 'Always late' apologizes for the inconvenience." What the ra.., by now the tiredness has started to set in and I'm crossed nu ratid! Well, at least I wasn't the only one upset as several passengers started to voice their opinion about the dutty, tinking ... I mean Air Jamaica.

12:00 pm: Another announcement rings out, as Air Jamaica being bitten by its conscience decided to treat us to lunch. Well it was the least they could do for such an unreasonable delay. frankly I would prefer a half of my air fare back! But for this cash strapped airline, that would definitely be a resounding no. So we were off the the Sunset Jamaica Grande Sunset Beach Resort, 5 bus load of hungry, tried, frustrated passengers. I was really hoping it would be lunch and bed, but that too was just a dream, as I had to just settle for lunch. Well, wanting to get my money's worth stunner made full use of his day pass arm band. Lunch buffet style, I sampled a bit of every thing! All the meat, all the starch, all the vegetables. When i was done, it was back for the pastries, then the fruits. Nope, arm band nuh done yet, the bar was open and so was my appetite and off to the bar I went. By 2:oo pm Stunner was fast asleep on one of the chairs in the hotel's lounge area, gut full, back slumped down in the soft cushion, head phone in ears, one foot on my hand luggage (primarily for security reasons, lol), and a half glass of Amaretto Sour on the table.

03:00 pm: I was awakened by a fellow passenger, as the buses had arrived to transport us back to the airport to catch the 4:30 flight. After waiting about 15 minutes for the stray passengers who seemed to have forgotten about their flight and wondered off on the hotel's property, the bus finally rolled out.

04:00 pm: After circling the entire airport to get the liquor I purchased at NMIA I was in the departure lounge once again. Why did I have to circle the airport? Well as I had purchase liquor I had to leave it at customs before leaving the Sangsters Airport. When I arrived from the hotel, I had to check-in again, go through security, proceed to the waiting lounge, go through the gate, down the arrival ramp to customs, up back the arrival ramp in the opposite direction of the arriving passengers and finally back through the gate and to the departure lounge.

04:30 pm: I finally boarded the plane with my fingers crossed that there will be no more delays, as I have experienced a delay, before, of an hour while seated on the plane.

05:00 pm: The plane finally taxi's down to the runway and finally after a nine and a half hour delay, I was on my way to New York.

Now I really think I need to kick Air Jamaica to the curb and as Owen said, leave this "abusive relationship" and fly with another airline. Dutty, tinking,...

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Di Plane Land!

Finally, I am in New York after e lengthy delays caused by Air Jamaica kept me at bay in Jamaica for a ridiculously long time. Yes I know what you must be saying, "But it's Air Jamaica, what do you expect?". Well, yes I did go to the airport expecting the flight to be delayed, but not as long as it did! I will give you that story on Monday. But I'm glad I reached safely and now it's time for me to explore and shop New York style, even though I am on a strict, meager budget. Until Monday you can enjoy my theme song for the trip, Richie Spice, "The Plane Land".

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NY Here I Come!

Can you hear that? Can you feel that? Can you see it? Well if you can't then you don't have it right now! What the hell is dat bwoy Stunner talking about? Well, as of today I am officially on VACATION!!! Yes my friends, no work, no reluctantly leaving my house to go to my place of employment, sleeping as late as I want, staying up as late as I want and the time to do whatever I want including just lazing around. Well, this is my second vacation of the year, the first I spent it in Jamaica so now it's off to New York! So I will be leaving the rock bright and early tomorrow morning destined for the Big Apple.


I think though that sometimes, I am a sadistic person who love to inflict pain and suffering on myself. Well, I must be, because once again I am taking Air Jamaica, which means I will be subjecting myself to the possibly of lengthy delays and the resultant frustration and aggravated mental state. Fortunately I can convince myself that I am not as being a struggling young professional (just like the phrase), Air Jamaica had the best price of all the airlines at the time for the period I wanted to travel. So due to my financial disadvantaged state, I have to pt up with the Air Jamaica foolishness to get to my destination.

Delays or not I have to get up by 5 am for my 7:30 am flight, yes that's the cheapest fare I could get as Air Jamaica flights have different prices for the same day. So I need to go pack... no mi nuh pack yet. Since I am on vacation, I should have more time to blog, well... between shopping and having fun. So until I next drop a post, wish me a safe flight!

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I Are Back!

Yes people, as they say, "all good things must come to an end". And this is so true, as my good vacation has come to an end and I'm back on the Rock! A very wet one too at that! Oh yes, as I came back from my hiatus in the cold and snow in New York, I was greeted by the warm embrace of Olga, who "showered" me with love!

But even though I didn't mind the blessings from above I didn't have time to wrap up in under the sheets and sleep, as I had to hit the ground running! The very next day after my return
I had to jump out of bed and hauled my you know where to work. But that's not all, after those weeks of inactivity and gorging on the foreign delicacies and yumm pastry. I wasted no time getting my workout routine started again. Let me tell you, that first day was pure hell, I was literally struggling through routine. Hence, you can understand my absence from blogging.

My flight back on Air Jamaica was almost on time, only 15 minutes delayed, which is no biggy compared to the 6 hours delay I had to endure when I was heading to New York.We even still got to Jamaica on time! But Air Jamaica is not the sort of airline that would let you travel with them without giving you a reason to get upset and cuss! Oh no they just had to mess it up. I disembarked from the plane and was only help up a few seconds by a woman who tumbled down the steps from the aircraft and went through immigration rather quickly. Now dutty tinking Air Jamaica took an entire hour to get the suitcases on the carousel! Three other flights came in and sent out their cargo before I got my suitcases! Yes, slackness, dutty tinking Air Jamaica!

Anyway folks, my bed is calling, so enjoy your weekend, wet or dry! Here is a likkle something to start off your weekend.

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Off to NY!... I Think?

Yes you read right! I'm on vacation and it's off to the Big Apple to feel what real cold feels like!... Well so I thought. I was supposed to be in the air right now, as I had booked a ticket for the 8:30 am flight, but instead I'm at my home on my computer blogging at 9:16! Why? Because of dutty tinking Air Jamaica! One again those bastards delayed my flight, so now my 8:30 am flight is not leaving until 2:30pm! And they didn't even have the decency of calling to let one know the flight would be delayed! I know i should have checked the status, but come on it's Air Jamaica, so I was expecting a delay of an hour or two, but not for 6 hours on a morning flight! So thanks to dutty late bug Air Jamaica I had to drive all the way back home. Now I need to get some sleep, going to bed at 2:00 am and waking up by 5:00 am takes a toll on ones body. I checked in nonetheless, so it shouldn't be that bad when i get back to the airport. Hopefully that dutty airline don't delay the flight again!

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Damn You Air Jamaica, You Owe Me A Day!!!

Hail all my fellow bloggers! Let me just begin with this statement, "Damn you Air Jamaica, you owe me a day!!!" I guess this has set the tone and has given you an idea that miy flight was delayed. Yes it was certainly delayed. At about 12:30 pm when I was just about to get ready, I got an email followed by a call from an Air Jamaica rep, that my flight scheduled to depart at 5:30pm was delayed until 7:45 pm. Well ok at least they told me before I left home. So no biggy although I was a bit disappointed. Then at about 4:30 pm I got another email saying my flight was again delayed until 8:45 pm! Now I was a bit upset as now I will not be able to take any photos from my window seat! Anyway I went to the the airport at about 6:00pm and checked in without a hitch. Sat sown in the departure lounge killing my phone battery playing games to kill the time, as there was not interesting female to distract me from the pain of waiting. 8:45 at last and the announcements rings through the room that the flight is now ready for boarding! At last I was finally on my way!

Or so I thought! The plane taxied down the runway at about 9:30 pm and I was all excited that I was on my way to the Big City. But this was not to be as the engines started to fire up, they immediately started to slow down and an announcement came from the captain saying that they are seeing an engine valve indicator and they will be returning to to have the engine checked out by the engineers. Oh great another delay! So after about an hour of waiting the pilot announces that they are going to test the engine and if all is well we will be ready to go! Yeeahhh! At last we will be on our way! NY here I come! The engines fired up and started to run and we were again ready to go. NOT! The indicator was still coming on, which means we will not be ready, more checks will have to be done and this about some minutes past 10:00 pm! Poor Stunner was then again grounded for about another hour before the engines were finally fired up once more to the satisfaction on the pilot and the engineers. So Stunner was finally on his way to NY on his minutes past 11 flight. By the time I passed though immigration and customs the sun was coming up and another day had dawned.

So Air Jamaica robbed me one day of my visit to the big city! But one thing I'm happy for though is that I actually arrived and the flight was ok. As the saying goes, "better late than never"... I think that might just be the slogan for the airline. Stay tuned for my adventures while on my Vacation.

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Vacation...Yeeaahhh!!!

My long awaited vacation is finally here and I'm wasting no time at all. I have packed my small suitcase and packed the other small suitcase into the larger one! My pastport and itinery are in my suitcase pocket, New York here I come!!! Family, friends, shopping! Lawd I can't wait!

The only bad thing it's that I'll be taking Air Jamaica, which means I will indeed have to wait, cause dem flight neva yet pon time! But I will just have to sit it out and find some nice beautiful young lady to keep my company.

If I get the chance to go online I will certainly drop a line or two and check out your posts! Tek care of unnuh self till di I come back to regular blogging!

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