Viral ang Facebook post ng isang pasahero matapos niyang ireklamo ang isang airline dahil sa pagkakabasag ng screen ng kaniyang mamahaling laptop, matapos itong i-check in kasama ang luggage at hindi i-hand carry.
"Thank you so much Philippine Airlines! I already told there's a fragile thing inside my luggage but yet still boogsh! " saad sa Facebook post ni James Afante noong Martes, Pebrero 25.
Sa pagpapatuloy, "To all who are asking. It's checked in and I declared it. They placed a fragile sticker already in it but still- this happened. Sometimes customer should have the rights for this because we pay in full but we don't have full control of everything specially when this kind of things happen."
Giit pa ni Afante, ang nabanggit na laptop ay nagkakahalagang ₱120,000.
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Sa comment section ng kaniyang post ay mababasa naman ang tugon ng airline sa kaniyang rant post.
"Dear Mr. Afante, thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We understand how concerning this must be for you. We recognize the importance of your belongings, and we are here to assist you with this matter. Please check your inbox or message requests as we’ve reached out to discuss this further."
Umani naman ito ng iba't ibang reaksiyon at komento mula sa netizens. May mga pumabor at nakisimpatya sa pasahero, subalit may mga nagsabi pa ring sa una pa lang, dapat daw ay hindi na niya ipinalagay sa checked-in luggage ang laptop at dinala na lang mismo sa loob ng eroplano.
"also who in the right mind would check-in their laptops??? that's on you, james. you did that to your laptop "
"This is where insurance, plus hard cases and luggages for equipment with proper cushioning come in, should you wish to check in your laptops, cameras, and drones. ITA allows it, but airlines are usually not obliged to take responsibility for any damages that may happen."
"If you’re a frequent traveler, you should already know that any valuable/fragile items should be carry-on even if nag agree si airline na icheck-in. Yes, you have the right since you pay for premium. But still, it is your responsibility to take care of your belongings. Sad reality is, airlines are the one who got blamed with our own actions."
"laptops are not allowed in check-in because of the battery. your fault."
Matapos umano ng samu't saring reaksiyon at komento, nagbigay naman ng mensahe si James sa lahat ng "haters" niya. Ipinaliwanag niya kung bakit hindi niya dinala sa loob ng eroplano ang kaniyang laptop.
"Sa mga naghe-hate. Telling me na i-hand carry dapat. I know. Yes hand carry is the best choice, but my hand carry was already full of cameras and other heavier fragile equipments. Plus i have 2 laptops with me and an iPad. Which is not allowed to be carried anymore thru hand carry because of weight," paliwanag niya.
"Thats why I declared it in check in and asked for a fragile sticker. Nonetheless, it's the priviledge of us (customers) that the airline should take care of our belongings because we paid premium for it. Yun lang! Good morning!"
SAGOT NG PAL
Sa eksklusibong panayam naman ng Balita kay Afante, sinabi niyang nakipag-ugnayan na sa kaniya ang PAL sa pamamagitan ng email, at ipinaliwanag sa kaniya na bagama't ina-acknowledge daw nila ang concern ng pasahero, ipinaliwanag daw sa kaniya ang baggage policies ng airline.
Ipinakita ni Afante sa Balita ang screenshot ng email na ipinadala sa kaniya ng airline.
Nakasaad sa email, batay raw sa kanilang imbestigasyon, sinunod daw ng kanilang agent ang standard procedure ng check-in process, lalo na pagdating sa electronic devices, batteries, at fragile items.
Nakalagay sa email na bagama't may pinirmahang "Limited Release Form" ang pasahero para sa fragile items, hindi raw naka-declare dito ang laptop.
Batay pa sa email, binanggit ng PAL ang kanilang Restricted Items Policy na "electronic devices with lithium batteries, including laptops, must be carried in the cabin whenever possible."
"Given these considerations, Philippine Airlines cannot assume liability for the damage incurred," pahayag pa.
Ayon pa sa airline, nag-request sila kay Afante na i-clarify nito ang statement sa Facebook post niya na naglalaman ng "conflicting information."
Samantala, hindi pa malinaw sa pasahero kung ano ang gagawin o susunod niyang hakbang batay sa email na ipinadala sa kaniya ng airline.
