A rant

Right, this blog will actually be a rant, not really a blog at all so if you happen to be French then you probably will not like it and if you are French and working for Air France you definitely will not like it.

It all started with my new boss getting me the ticket for Hong Kong, for some reason unbeknownst to me he bought a ticket for Air France via Charles De Gaulle to Hong Kong, I felt the first tremours of angst when I got the email, but ah well... What could go wrong.
Since I am travelling to stay at HK for a long time I was bringing more baggage than for a vacation, still not to much though, just two suitcases with clothes weighing in at around 20 kg a piece, I had also been a good boy and called ahead to say that I did have a wee bit more baggage than normal, "pas de probleme" the woman answered me on the phone, I know I shouldn't have believed that...

Arriving at the airport and my first encounter with Air France personnel in some years, and these were actually Swedes so they at least looked sorry when thay said I in no way could bring two bags across, I had to leave one or pay excess baggage charge wich would be 25 Euro pewr kg over, times 22 kg since that was the overwight of the bags...
I mentioned I had called ahead and they said I didn't, I think I would know but hey, I'm just the customer. So I had to ask my friend to return with one of my bags, put some stuff in my carry on, which by the way got some suspicious looks.
Getting to Paris and Charles De Gaulle airport (one of the worst airports in the world barred Bucharests Henri Coanda International Airport, noone is standing there greeting passenegers with connecting flights, of course not that would actually be a service...

I walk around trying to find my terminal, however common in France is to put the signs behind so you need to walk forward looking over your shoulder since they hide the sign, although I did manage to find my way, only went too far once which must be considered good. Arriving at the check in an hour prior to departure I find it empty, after some time I actually find a person to talk to however being in France working at an International airport at the terminal for non European flights and with a customer service bag (that's an oxymoron) she of course only spoke French, took a while to explain and after she understood she simply stated that the gate is closed and I would probably miss the flight, that I just came in on a Air France connecting flight seemed to escape this particular woman. After some time of arguing and me starting to get annoyed she actually agreed to check me in, although begrudgingly, I was late. I knew I should have gone on SAS instead.

Finally inside, since I was parched I needed a drink, so I walk up and down the terminal to look for something to drink, everything is closed, seemed I couldn't get any, people , well the few that actually spoke english at this International airport, told me there were stores, yes I said but they are closed and I am thirsty, oh there is a vending machine. Right, me off to find said vending machine, I went to places noone dared venture before but alas, no machine. Time to get on the flight.

The flight to HK was not too bad, just the usual French people doing really French things. But at least I got there.

Now it was time to go home, In HK you can check in at the Airport Express train station, this worked without problem since the staff there actually work for several airlines and I got a person that actually attended the seminar on customer service, everythign worked smooth until I got to Charles de Gaulle, again I was reminded why no one should ever go Air France, or at least avoid Charles de Gaulle airport.

Yet again no one is speaking english, even when I ask them in english they seem oblivious to that fact and answer me in French, although I undserstand French I am still baffled about this behaviour. Wearing a t-shirt that by some could be viewed as pro US I apparently was singled out for some closer inspection at the security checkpoint, I found this odd since nothing beeped when I passed through and the border guards when I arrived seemed to have little to no interest in actually checking my passport.
So a little going through the backpack plus a patdown before they let me in to take my flight to Stockholm again, I thought I'd sit down and read with a coffe before getting on the flight, but no!!! There are no stores or cafes in there, I have to be on the outside to get that...
so back out to get a coffe, had my first cup started writing this and oh I ordered a refill, still waiting for it twenty minutes later. Customer service, ya, not in France.

Ah well, suffice to say I will cut up my Air France card when I get home and I swear next time I have to get to France I will take the car, or the train.

Sincerely
Me