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Meke: Monopoly and Nigeria’s valued travel options

What exactly does a frequent flyer look out for while planning a trip?  Safety, timeliness onboard comfort, (clean cabin), cheerful crew, and friendliness and most critical front desk staff.

I will possibly say that the friendliness or otherwise of the front desk ticketing staff, like a mirror, may reveal the entire service ecosystem of an airline, hotel, or any recreational service provider.

Since I am used to sharing my experience. Also, a self-appointed service policeman, without the power to arrest or prosecute infractions,  my pen does the work of seeing something and saying it, not putting down the operators’ efforts but helping them correct leakages.

There’s something about the service industry around us here that we hardly celebrate or discuss.  The multi-million dollar sector is hardly audited and scaled up.  We love it when it pleases us and shout to the high heavens when it goes off the hanger, hardly participating in customers’ feedback opportunities.  It is just a waste of time. We brush them off, forgetting it is a standard metric to help better our needs and expectations.

Frank Meke

Long story short: Last Wednesday, I flew ValueJet for the first time since its inauguration. From the ground (check-in) to take off, it was quite a new experience for me.

Even though I am used to some horrible ground staff of some airlines, I can’t but take notice of some very exceptional cheerful faces, particularly early in the morning and they helped define this business as being about people and humanity.

The very proud, arrogant person can’t make it in this business.  ValueJet added to my new options, and I flew them to and from Abuja last week.

My take is that the airline is time-conscious and friendly and offers some of the best in-flight services to its customers becoming the preferred choice of many people.

If you think a monopoly in this business would not allow you to breathe,  try ValueJet. It may provide a NEW valuable travel experience.

Frank Meke, travel expert and journalist writes from Lagos

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