Tuesday, August 08, 2006
8/08/2006 07:58:00 AM
8/08/2006 07:58:00 AM
This Airport is Meant for Walking (and that’s what you’ll do – in the rain and sun too!)
posted by Francis Ho
Had my first experience with the new Low Cost Terminal (LCC) at Kuala Lumpur last week and to summarize it from the perspective of a passenger – it 
Cheap is the word and using it makes one feel even more so. It reflects the mentality that if you are paying a low price for something, you should not expect too much! So you ‘must’ be ‘punished’ and should not complain nor expect too much. Hello? Low cost and good design is not mutually exclusive. There is not even a need for a LCC when KLIA is so under-utilized. *sigh*
I wished we have more enlightened and visionary people at the top that makes these and other decisions. I love this country but certain things just get me down. Or perhaps they think that we just love to walk! I prefer to paddle and fortunately the true ‘powers-that-be’ that makes the rivers and seas are infinitely much more intelligent and compassionate. I wished the people irresponsible for the LCC would meet the maker soon and get some timely lesson! Forgive me as I do entertain such wicked thoughts sometimes! You will too once you have done the 'walk'! Then you'll agree that the LCC does not kick ass but that MAB like Jessica Simpson should get their butts kicked for for such trashiness!
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Post a Comment At Tuesday, 08 August, 2006 
Wuching said:
aiyo! want cheap & want good service summore! unker wants the world! hahahaha..a lil walk will do u good after sitting on the plane for so long mah!
At Tuesday, 08 August, 2006 Francis Ho said:
wuching - not talking about the service.
i'm talking about the poor design, layout and functionality of the building. when u get out of the aircraft and if the airline crew or anyone does not direct you, you'll have NO idea where the darn ENTRANCE to the building is!
the entire front of the building facing the tarmac has NO ENTRANCE signs plastered all over it with NO signs telling you where the entrance is ... so someone has to point/show you where to walk to the far far away entrance! brilliant hor?
i'm talking about the poor design, layout and functionality of the building. when u get out of the aircraft and if the airline crew or anyone does not direct you, you'll have NO idea where the darn ENTRANCE to the building is!
the entire front of the building facing the tarmac has NO ENTRANCE signs plastered all over it with NO signs telling you where the entrance is ... so someone has to point/show you where to walk to the far far away entrance! brilliant hor?
At Tuesday, 08 August, 2006 
said:
I agree with Uncle, bad design, bad concept and waste of funds (as usual, what's new here) word of advise for the anyone taking AirAsia, use a roller blade or skate your way, at least it wouldn't hurt so much as walking...and just glide your way through...
At Tuesday, 08 August, 2006 Francis Ho said:
qv - AirAsia is NOT to be blamed here as they (and any other low cost airlines using LCC) are only the airlines and are not (and cannot be held) responsible for the terminal building which is managed by Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB). unfortunately for AirAsia they unfairly has to bear the brunt of disgrunted users of the sucky LCC.
At Tuesday, 08 August, 2006 HappySurfer said:
Everything is relative. What is it that is being said about paying peanuts and getting monkeys? Something along that line lah.
At Tuesday, 08 August, 2006 Francis Ho said:
happy - i beg to differ as low cost and high quality are not mutually exclusive.
problem is we are so conditioned to think that low cost means low quality and we learn to live with and put up with all the inconveniences of bad layouts and designs when we do not know any better. good designs do not necessary cost more and bad designs cost a life time of needless inconveniences to the users of the building or object.
problem is we are so conditioned to think that low cost means low quality and we learn to live with and put up with all the inconveniences of bad layouts and designs when we do not know any better. good designs do not necessary cost more and bad designs cost a life time of needless inconveniences to the users of the building or object.
I think they designed it that way on purpose to encourage people to pay more next time they travel.
It reminds me of that Benny Hill sketch where a traveller chooses the £49.99 "Duffo Tour package" instead of the £50.00 "Benny Tour package". He ends up carrying and loading his own luggage into the plane (an old, WWI-era biplane that is falling apart and has a near-sighted pilot). At the hotel, while "Benny Tours" customers enjoy a "happening" party in the next room, he is forced to eat hardtack and broth. When he goes into a restaurant and shows his "Duffo" coupon, the waiter quickly changes from his tux into rough clothes and replaces the tablecloth and chinaware with an old newspaper and paper plates...and he takes the food away only seconds after placing it on the table. In the end, one pence was the difference between a wonderful vacation and a nightmare, and it all ended with a crowd laughing at the poor man while pointing at a "Next time choose Benny Tours" sign.
Is there a sign like that in the LCC?
It reminds me of that Benny Hill sketch where a traveller chooses the £49.99 "Duffo Tour package" instead of the £50.00 "Benny Tour package". He ends up carrying and loading his own luggage into the plane (an old, WWI-era biplane that is falling apart and has a near-sighted pilot). At the hotel, while "Benny Tours" customers enjoy a "happening" party in the next room, he is forced to eat hardtack and broth. When he goes into a restaurant and shows his "Duffo" coupon, the waiter quickly changes from his tux into rough clothes and replaces the tablecloth and chinaware with an old newspaper and paper plates...and he takes the food away only seconds after placing it on the table. In the end, one pence was the difference between a wonderful vacation and a nightmare, and it all ended with a crowd laughing at the poor man while pointing at a "Next time choose Benny Tours" sign.
Is there a sign like that in the LCC?
At Tuesday, 08 August, 2006 said:
the necessity of walking on tarmac for LCC passengers might be a reflection on the position of a flag carrier
At Wednesday, 09 August, 2006 said:
Like most built things you see around in Malaysia. They all look good in a few seconds..then you see the people/users don't really know much about maintenance and operation. Next you see some goofy ways of dealing with issues. A few months ago, I witnessed a "professional" cleaning lady polishing a crome railing at a major public building with some underwear type material.
I think she has taken recycling a bit too far.
I think she has taken recycling a bit too far.
At Wednesday, 09 August, 2006 HappySurfer said:
FH2o, I appreciate your point. However, I still subscribe to "everything is relative" in which MM has a realistic picture there.
Yes, low cost might not mean low quality (I have no doubt about this as we're talking about the lives of many onboard) but low cost in air-travel would mean no refreshments served, lesser comfort onboard, etc, etc, and of course walking a mile out to the plane in rain or shine. Life is about choices.
Yes, low cost might not mean low quality (I have no doubt about this as we're talking about the lives of many onboard) but low cost in air-travel would mean no refreshments served, lesser comfort onboard, etc, etc, and of course walking a mile out to the plane in rain or shine. Life is about choices.
At Wednesday, 09 August, 2006 Francis Ho said:
happy - take the nearest example say Spore which has a low cost terminal BUT you need only walk a short distance on the tarmac to and from the aircraft.
There is also NO aerobridge BUT there are COVERED linkways.
the powers-that-be made BAD choices for us and apparently (and very sadly too) a lot of us can't even tell the difference anymore!
There is also NO aerobridge BUT there are COVERED linkways.
the powers-that-be made BAD choices for us and apparently (and very sadly too) a lot of us can't even tell the difference anymore!
At Wednesday, 09 August, 2006 HappySurfer said:
FH2o, I think it's not fair to make comparisons as every case has its merits. Also, any feedback would best be directed to the relevant authorities for corrective action to be taken.
I'm surprised you're feeling so agitated. Perhaps relocating to Sgp may be the cure?
I'm surprised you're feeling so agitated. Perhaps relocating to Sgp may be the cure?
At Wednesday, 09 August, 2006 Pandabonium said:
That was the beauty of having an airplane in Hawaii. As there were no high speed ferries (or slow ones for that matter), flying was the only way to go. While Maui to Honolulu was no problem, getting to Hawaii (island) or Kauai meant inconvenient schedules, or going through Honolulu and taking extra time and spending a lot more money.
With my plane, even though it was slow (210 kph), I was already cleared by the government to enter the airport, so no screening. I just went to the plane when I wanted, checked it over, and flew. Even though it took three times longer for me to fly to Honolulu than a jet, I was way ahead of the game because I didn't have to go through the security check or wait in line to board the plane, get off the plane, and wait for baggage. (It was also a lot cheaper).
I wonder how long people will have to wait for that new monster Airbus 380 which can carry up to 840 passengers - getting on and off, and waiting for baggage will be a real test of patience!
With my plane, even though it was slow (210 kph), I was already cleared by the government to enter the airport, so no screening. I just went to the plane when I wanted, checked it over, and flew. Even though it took three times longer for me to fly to Honolulu than a jet, I was way ahead of the game because I didn't have to go through the security check or wait in line to board the plane, get off the plane, and wait for baggage. (It was also a lot cheaper).
I wonder how long people will have to wait for that new monster Airbus 380 which can carry up to 840 passengers - getting on and off, and waiting for baggage will be a real test of patience!
At Wednesday, 09 August, 2006 Francis Ho said:
happy - as someone intimately related to the building industry i fail to see the merit of a badly conceived and designed building which unfortunately after it had been built would be near impossible and extremely expensive to correct.
stewpig buildings irritates me as it will continue to get in the way of its usage for the lifetime of the building. and i'm only touching on the functionality of it not the aesthetics.
i have lived in Singapore as well as other countries; hence i can clearly tell the difference. not agreeing with something about one's country does not necessary mean that you are against it. to the contrary - those who really care, dare to speak up and risks ridicule and in certain cases even arrests.
stewpig buildings irritates me as it will continue to get in the way of its usage for the lifetime of the building. and i'm only touching on the functionality of it not the aesthetics.
i have lived in Singapore as well as other countries; hence i can clearly tell the difference. not agreeing with something about one's country does not necessary mean that you are against it. to the contrary - those who really care, dare to speak up and risks ridicule and in certain cases even arrests.
At Thursday, 10 August, 2006 Robin CHAN said:
This.. I cannot understand.
Low cost does not mean cheapskate!
Bolehland is losing to Kiasu land, since our Budget terminal is very very nice.. and humane!
Low cost does not mean cheapskate!
Bolehland is losing to Kiasu land, since our Budget terminal is very very nice.. and humane!
At Thursday, 10 August, 2006 HappySurfer said:
FH2o, unfortunately or fortunately, not everyone can have his hand in every pie and fortunately the choice is ours to look the other way and be free of unhappy thoughts.
Pandabonium, no need for control tower clearance too?
Robin, low cost = cheap.
As outsiders, I mean not policy-makers in this equation, we may not know what is being planned. They may be working on the improvements just as we speak.
Pandabonium, no need for control tower clearance too?
Robin, low cost = cheap.
As outsiders, I mean not policy-makers in this equation, we may not know what is being planned. They may be working on the improvements just as we speak.