6.25 SATURDAY- ONWARD TO BASEL

OR

Viking Air “Not So” Plus Strikes Again!!!

“I’m sorry Mr. Mercurio, it seems that you don’t have Transfers included.”

“Say What-T-F?!?!”

Rewind… to last night’s Disembarkation Briefing.

We last saw our stalwart travelers grumbling amongst themselves and other innocent bystanders about the latest turn of events surrounding our “Non” arrival in Basel by boat being replaced by early morning bus transfers.

It was time for Chucky to check with the concierge of the Viking Tialfi, Lovely Hana, of the dazzling Smile and Red-Rimmed Glasses, about how our transfers to Zurich would be handled. 

It went something like this:

“Hi Hana, tell me about how our transfers will be handled to Zurich since we are not flying out of Basel”

“Of Course Mr. Mercurio, allow me to check... ”

And then the unsettling comment noted in the intro!

But first a bit of background.

When arranging our flights with Viking Air Plus [included in our package] to fly into Paris rather than Amsterdam and out of Zurich rather than Basel on disembarkation - which we paid extra to do so - Chucky took great pains to have them confirm that while they would be on their own for transfers from Paris to Amsterdam, and that Viking would indeed handle their transfers to Zurich from Basel.  This was confirmed, not only in our final Booking Confirmation and Receipt, but in an email from our Viking agent as well verbally by no less than two Viking Air “Not So” Plus agents during the initial ticketing and subsequent re-booking process after the Air France Debacle.

So you can now imagine the atmosphere in the room, not to mention Chucky’s tone when the Lovely Hana of the now waning Smile and drooping glasses, hit him with the news that there were NO TRANSFERS arranged.

We’ll spare you the ensuing 10 minute dialogue where Chucky’s voice got very soft, and v-e-r-y slow, and V-E-R-Y deliberate instructing the visably distraught Hana of the now furrowed eyebrows and sagging shoulders, as to the number of written and verbal confirmations that he had received indicating that he DID INDEED HAVE Transfers included, Ssoooo… WHATEVER she had to do, WHOEVER she had to call, WHATEVER mountains she had to move, Viking WILL INSURE that transfers would be waiting at Basel Airport to get him and the Ever-Lovely Dragon Lady to Zurich.

“Please allow me to look into it Mr. Mercurio and I'll get back to you shortly.”

And while this exchange was going on, the atmosphere in the room became such that the line to speak with Hana, which had swollen like the river, just as quickly disbursed the moment Chucky reached his full rhythm.  Yeah... he can empty a room just like that.

Cut to the chase…

After calming down in our cabin and collecting emails and confirmations for further proof, we checked back with Hana, of the Dazzling Smile and regained composure.

She had sought the proper guidance, made the right calls, moved the necessary mountains and was now the bearer of Good Tidings. 

“First let me offer our sincere apologies for any inconvenience or concern this situation may have caused.  
A Van will meet you at Basel Airport, and Renee’ our special envoy will transport you to Zurich at Viking’s expense.  

Will that be Satisfactory Mr. Mercurio?”

“Yes it will, Thank you Hana.  We will be sure to sing your praises to the corporate office when the satisfaction survey is completed. 

{Viking Air 'Not So'  Plus won’t be as fortunate}” 

“Excuse me Sir?”

“Nothing Hana… Thank you again.”

With that in the rearview, we visited IRO for a farewell assault on Johnny Walker, and retired to finish the departure packing Ballet [really, the cabin was that small it required a ballet] for the 3AM baggage pull, which was two hours away – not much sleep happening here.

Oh… And you think the drama is over… 

not by a long shot, but you'll just have to wait for the next post for that…

It Just keeps getting better - or worse, depending on your point of view…

Ya REALLY CAN”T MAKE THIS $#!T UP!!!

Ciao für Jetzt

Uncle Chuck & The Really Hot for SOMEONE’s Scalp,

Dragon Lady