Originally Posted by SimpleDXB

So which part of the above constitutes a 5 star airline?

Originally Posted by SimpleDXB

Here was my experience on Thursday 17 Jan flying DOH-DXB (supposed to be on a 787 before they were grounded).

I was obviously concerned, and knew that all 787's were grounded as per FAA directive issued on 17 Jan. Note that when I did OLCI for my flight, the 787's were still flying.

So I get to DOH with my boarding card and proceed to check-in desk as I wanted to check i) whether my boarding card was still valid re seat assignment etc; and ii) whether flight was still leaving on time; and most importantly iii) what metal the 787 had been switched for.

The check-in agent looked completely dumbfounded when I asked the question whether the plane had been changed and whether it was still on time. I was also told (quote) "our fleet is fine and ALL flights are on time". I informed her that the FAA had issued a directive grounding 787's and that the planes had been banned from flying in Asia, US and Europe. She told me that the Qatar Airways fleet was "just fine" and "not affected by FAA directives" and that the flight was "on time and still a 787 hence my seat allocation was still correct". Idiot.

Anyway, sensing nonsense, I proceeded through immigration.

Long story short, flight was delayed. When we finally did board (by this time I have been researching the 787 issue online and had decided that come what may there was no fricking way I was getting on one at this time), I proceeded to gate (which had been changed) resolved to offload myself if presented with the Dreamliner.

So... conversation went like this upon handing over boarding card at the gate:

Me: "Has there been an equipment change?"
QA G/S: "No Sir. Why?"
Me: "Because the FAA have banned the 787 from flying. They are deemed unsafe. You are aware of this, right?"
QA G/S: "No Sir"
Me: "So the aircraft hasn't been changed?"
QA G/S: "No Sir"
Me: Well I am not flying on an aircraft which has been banned from flying in Europe, US and Asia. Forget it. I cannot believe Qatar Airways is doing this?"
QA G/S: "What Sir"
Me: "At this time the FAA deems them (the 787's) unsafe. You have heard of the FAA and the ruling? Why hasn't QA Grounded it's 787 fleet?"
QA G/S: "I don't know Sir"
Me: "Please offload me and call your supervisor. I am not flying on a 787"
QA G/S: "The plane is a 777 Sir"
Me: "So you have changed the plane?"
QA G/S: "Yes"
Me: "So what I asked you if there had been an equipment i.e. plane change from 787 and you said "No", what you actually meant was "yes"?"
QA G/S: "Yes"
Me: "Do QA groundstaff have to pass a stupid test to work for QA?"
QA G/S:

*grabs boarding card stub and walks off to take 550 mile bus journey to find plane parked in the desert*

[Sigh]

I wish all airlines could be 5 star like QR...

Originally Posted by in2it54

Man, you are harsh.

Do you think the related story would of/could of, been much better (or different) if you were talkiing to G/S in the same situation at say, DXB EY, NRT ANA, HKG CX, .......... Likely, one of you would be using English as a second language, as well.

Additionally, it was you that had time to google/read and be prepped for what was to come. I bet that person you were talking to, hadn't even seen company documentation on the 787 problems from earlier that day. Likely, this person doesn't even have access to open online infrastructure (other than their in-house booking system) through the company, or privately.

I think the word "stupid" is unjust. Ill-informed would be more appropiate.

When things change while you are at work, it's hard to do your own job and then keep track changes that are happening upstream and downstream.