How politics works
With the collapse of Zoom and the loss of tickets for the Flying Fiddlers from Uist it was sure that this would jump to the top of the political agenda, with both major parties trying to do their best to be seen to do something, or at worst anything, for the group.
It is utterly heartbreaking that they have lost their flights, so it was good to see politicians trying to do something. What is very telling is the sincerity they put into their actions, and the speed of the issue of the press release proclaiming the importance of what they had done.
First out of the blocks was our own Mr Allan with an instant press release, and a call to action....
Will Allan now join with Stewart lobbying the Culture Minister to try to ensure his constituents get to Canada, or is he to busy issuing press releases?
(and yes I have some friends who are in the Flying Fiddlers)
It is utterly heartbreaking that they have lost their flights, so it was good to see politicians trying to do something. What is very telling is the sincerity they put into their actions, and the speed of the issue of the press release proclaiming the importance of what they had done.
First out of the blocks was our own Mr Allan with an instant press release, and a call to action....
Isles MSPAlasdair Allan has taken up their cause and today tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament to highlight the issue and called for more protection for air passengers.By the next day, Dave Stewart had joined the action, suggesting the Comhairle might fund the trip and....
He has also written to the Culture Minister of the Scottish Government to highlight the case and seek funding possibilities from the Scottish Government.The difference between the two approaches is clear. Allan was ultra busy being seen to do anything, however useless and aimless. Stewart to his credit came up with some concrete suggestions that might, just might, mean that the fiddlers get to Canada.
Will Allan now join with Stewart lobbying the Culture Minister to try to ensure his constituents get to Canada, or is he to busy issuing press releases?
(and yes I have some friends who are in the Flying Fiddlers)
10 comments:
If I crash my car and it's not insured (because I'm a cheapskate), will I expect local taxpayers to pay the repair bills?
If my house is washed away and it's not insured (because I'm a cheapskate), while I expect local taxpayers to build me a new one?
I have some - but just some - sympathy for the fiddlers. The trip was badly organised. Tickets could have been paid for by credit card, which would have resulted in a refund.
Adequate travel insurance would also have resulted in a refund. Were these people really going to go intercontinental with either no insurance, or insurance so inadequate not even the flights were covered?
Taking no precautions, but still giving money to a budget airline, is foolhardy (especially in these times of airlines going to the wall on a weekly basis).
So did David Stewart actually get funding or was he just posturing knowing fine well he wasnt going to get it whilst AA was being realistic?
Are the Scottish Government and other local authorities supposed to accept responsibility for this company and the losses of local organistions or is it just Island fiddle clubs you want compensated?
Pish as usual from you.
and by the way.."How Politics work" ? yer aving a larrf arent you?
And, as you have friends in the Flying Fiddles you will know exactly what Allan has been doing correspondence wise to help the flying fiddles? Why don't you tell us all about that? Parliamentary Motions are only one fairly quick way an MSP can help to raise awareness of an issue, it doesn't mean that nothing else has been happening.
the real flying fiddlers were the guys at zoom who walked away from the debt the built.
the group stuck without flights are in fact called the flying fiddles which anyone who was a friend of them would surely know.
Editing my post now? If you dont have good reason for that dont have a blog.
6:53 PM Wrote
If I crash my car and it's not insured (because I'm a cheapskate), will I expect local taxpayers to pay the repair bills?
No, you would be a twonk breaking the law and should end up in the clink. Car insurance is not an option it is a legal requirement.
You also wrote:
Adequate travel insurance would also have resulted in a refund. Were these people really going to go intercontinental with either no insurance, or insurance so inadequate not even the flights were covered?
Several months ago Zoom were placed (by the insurance industry) on a list of airlines, which would not be covered by travel insurance should they collapse. So regardless of the type of travel insurance, fares were not going to be refunded via that route.
Yes a credit card(or cards) should have been used. However, flying on expensive airlines is no guarantee of safety (PAN AM, TWA, Swiss Air et al have all gone to the wall over the years).
A credit card was used, and they will get their money back, however they now have to pay another airline at nearer last minute prices, any of you smart arses advise which airline will give them tickets for the refunded price? Why don't the press start a campaign to get the millonaire owners (ex) of Zoom to stump up the cash out of their own pockets?
6.52 - That's what happens when you risk budget airline travel. Zoom weren't quite as cheap as people thought (like FlyBe) when the various charges are added on.
There's plenty of other options if they do their research e.g. through Expedia and don't dither. Luckily, BA have got a sale on and you can get from Glasgow to Toronto, and other places in Canada, for well under 500 quid - that's return and with all charges.
If they think they can cross the atlantic and return for just a few hundred quid then forget it. Those days have gone.
(btw if you know them advise NOT to book on Continental, as that has an elevated risk of going under in the near to middle future).
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