Night Life And Night Tourism

Elitism Even On Our National Flights?
Some time ago, a Sunday columnist wrote about her experiences onboard our national carrier. The timing of her article strangely coincided with the time I returned from my round trip through Asia.

Our national carrier has suspended economy flights to some destinations in the States. In its place are only first class and business class seatings.

In her article, the columnist wrote of "elitism" in the way of discriminating boarding for both economy and first/business class passengers.

See How Other Overseas Carriers Are Doing It Right
I like to report my experiences onboard Cathay Pacific, Eva Air, Air China and Thai Airways.

In all cases, boarding of flights was not based on economy or first/business class seatings. It was based on caring for the elderly, the physically disabled and familial passengers with children in tow. They got to board first, followed by two queues for economy and first/business class passengers.

Even if passengers were to mistakenly go on the wrong queue, they were politely told to enter the correct entrance for the respective classes.

Service was excellent, the attendants were polite, courteous and communicative and in flight food was average (isn't it always the same...we eat only because we have paid for it, don't we and to fill our hungry stomachs).

Cathay Pacific had a wide selection of channels on its seat-mounted TV screens and I could flick to one program after another if I ever tire of one.

Be Very Sure We Will Not Be Overtaken One Day Like We Are Not Already
I am not sure if our way is the way to go. To only insist on one kind of seating on some routes to the States may just one day force us out of business. Let us never be too sure that we will not be usurped of our No 1 status in our flight service.

Just look at Hongkong, Bangkok, Seoul, Beijing and even Kuala Lumpur. Their world class designed airports. Even Taiwan has now announced plans to overhaul and revamp its current run-down swampy international airport.

Night Tourism
I think the kinda long loopy routes over far too many housing estates our seven Night Rider Services are taking themselves through is just too ambitious and ridiculous.

Instead have more such services, maybe double or triple the number now, cut down on the number of housing estates they are traversing through for each but increase the coverage of the places of attractions (inlcude Tanjong Pagar, Chinatown, Clarke Quay, Marina and so on).

Reduce the number of stoppages along some roads. For example: the whole stretch of Orchard Road can see three strategic stops at the Orchard, Somerset and Dhoby Ghaut MRT stations. After all, they are within walking distance of each other.

Extend these services to Sundays, eves of public holidays, public holdiays and school holidays?

Open up more 24 hour retail and food and beverage outlets or at least extend the closing hours till past midnight.