back in 96 i was in haslar hospital--gosport UK--recovering from a heart attack. i was 48. after a few days i asked my ( then ) wife to bring me in some cans of guinness.--she did. later on i asked a nurse if it was OK to have one. she approved---and pulled the curtain round the bed. my dear wife must have dropped the 4 pack-------cos when i popped the tab---the stuff hit the ceiling.
There is more drama over Bravofly and Philippine Airlines, both equally producing useless customer services upon request. Bravofly insisted that they cannot amend the ticket and it would be up to PAL to do so. So we then called PAL (and not a UK based number as well, from my mobile in hospital). They advised we might get what we need if we email PAL management. And so we did, only to get a nice email today asking us to take our issue up with Bravofly! So there you have it people, if you want to pay more for a flight to the Philippines and get treated like **** if you have a problem, go with Philippine Airlines. As for Bravofly, the way I've even spoken to over the phone by them when I've clearly got bigger things to deal with, makes me never want to deal with them ever again. Now if only we'd booked with Etihad...
Bravofly, the ticketing agency should handle all necessary communications with the airline., it is totally wrong of them to suggest that you need to contact PAL yourself. Your contract is with Bravofly, not with PAL, PAL cannot handle refunds and cancellations as Bravofly took your money. On a related note: whilst I use other sites to look at available flight options I always prefer to book my ticket direct with the airline through their own website.
Bravofly is at fault here, not Philippine Airlines. I suspect the reason they (Bravofly) fobbed you off is that they didn't want to face the moral dilema your situation posed. That was quite wrong of them and doubly so by giving you contact details abroad (presumably in Manila?) when PAL has a reservations unit in the UK - even during the years it didn't fly to Europe. From memory, that office was closer to Gatwick than Heathrow and my own (UK) travel agent has dealt with them several times. I think you'll find that KLM has better deals than any other between Manila and Europe - certainly true in my case, much cheaper than PAL and I'll be flying them on Monday straight through to Cardiff.
I still haven't got over the initial shock.... We wish youall the best for a speedy recovery. I did a bit of reading up on the subject, and as you say, the chances are very good indeed. In regard to Bravofly, they are a bunch of nincompups hiding behind some website, and would't be surprised if O'Leary had something to do with it.... http://www.fodors.com/community/air-travel/beware-of-bravofly.cfm
Well the latest is that they want a certificate from me to prove my cancer, easy enough I guess. Though I suspect given the flight has now flown that they'll come up with a 'oh, sorry - you're too late now'. In which case I'll ask for their main address so I might get the OFT involved or something. As for me, got a few days left of chemo to go, as far as cycle one is concerned (there can be 4 cycles) which involve a heavy dose followed by bed rest and a couple of weeks at home before the next cycle. All in all the treatment should take six months! All my numbers look good so I'm pretty confident. Still anaemic which means I don't walk far, but that is part of the healing process too...
Kuya didn't realise your situation. I hope for a good and speedy recovery. We are both thinking of you
We are all thinking of you and Howerd here, Kuya. Different problems but we are a small group here who only wants the best of health for everyone.
Sorry for your plight and I am also a little worried you may be alone at home whilst going through chemo. The last thing you want is to faint at home when you are unwell and alone. I suggest you keep your mobile in your pocket at all times. You obviously still have the fighting spirit. Do you not have an insurance policy you can claim on? Some credit cards give free insurance but maybe not for flights outside Europe. If Bravofly's own terms and conditions mean you cannot transfer your ticket there may be little you can do but if they are ignoring there own rules you may be able to claim on your Credit Card under S75 of the Consumer Protection Act (assuming you paid by Credit Card) My aunt got cancer in her eighties, she had chemo and beat the disease. She had a very positive attitude. You are pretty young to have AML so there are obvious implications with infertility. I am going in hospital on Wednesday for a cancer op. It is called a TURP.
The very best of luck with your operation on Wed, Howerd. What is a TURP ? Keep us updated when you are able.
TURP = Transurethral Resection of the Prostate. Prostate Cancer causes prostate to enlarge, meaning that it prevents urination. Resectioning removes part of the prostate in the hope of restoring bladder function. In my case, the prostate is so enlarged it is also causing bowel problems. They are not removing prostate as cancer has already spread. Should be in hospital for two days but maybe longer as post-polio patients don't handle anaesthesia too well but the pre-op nurse did not know this. She could not even tell me if the procedure would be under general anaesthesia or spinal anaesthesia.
