Air Jamacia

On January 18th 2006 I flew on JAM 0094 from New York to Grenada, My story about this flight is alarming given what the government and new media tells us about the measures taken to eliminate terrorist threats to us. After checking in and boarding our flight, there was an announcement from the pilot of the aircraft that we were going to be delayed taking off from JFK due to the fact that a person who had an expired passport had been allowed to check their baggage and the luggage was now having to be taken off the aricraft.

I wonder how it is that an airline that operates out of the United States could allow someone who has an expired passport to check baggage on an international flight. While this incident made us late, the crew (mainly the flight attendants) treated us horribly. The demeanor of the staff was rude, unfriendly and not at all helpful. We were spoken to in a most discourteous manner.

The return flight from Grenada to NY JAM 0095, was equally as frustrating and upsetting. After we boarded the plane we saw all the luggage being removed from one cargo bay onto the tarmac. When we questioned the flight attendants, we were told everything was fine and would be placed back on the plane. In fact, this most certainly did not happen, as many of the passengers on this flight were unable to retrieve their bags in NYC. What did occur was one that should never occur to people on a plane. When the staff was asked for a glass of water to take a pill, it was met with the bar with be hear shortly. Persons do not generally ask for assistance if they can wait. A grandmother traveling with her family was humiliated by the staff. The grandmother who was traveling in first class walked back into the main cabin, she had an empty seat next to her and had her grandchild sit down with her. The child was underage and certainly was not going to take advantage of the free al

cohol provided in first class, so really was there any harm done in allowing the child to sit with her grandmother? Instead the Air Jamaica crew gets on the public address system and makes the announcement that it is illegal to change cabins as per the FAA. Again, it was not as if the child was placing any of the other passengers at risk, but rather keeping a family member company.

As a person that travels worldwide frequently I was shocked and appalled at the security breaches and the lack of professionalism of this airline. I hope others take the time and investigate this airline prior to booking.

Lianne Friedman

2/27/06