The recent trip back home was my first international flight on ANA since arriving in Japan some four years ago. Rather, it’s the first non-SIA flight I took since I discovered the quality and comfort SIA has to offer. However, due to the very expensive ticket prices, I decided to give ANA a shot this time.
Unfortunately, I sprained my back days before the flight so ANA is not to blame for any discomfort I felt. To the contrary, some of them made me feel better than I would have felt if they hadn’t done anything out of the ordinary. The more interesting thing was, I made the same request on the trip from Japan to Singapore and on the return leg from Singapore to Japan, but received totally different responses.
Japan to Singapore
At Haneda airport during check-in, I told the ANA staff that I had sprained my back and the seat next to the one I reserved had no one when I last checked, so I hope they can, as much as possible, leave that seat empty so that I have room to shift and rest my back.
The lady immediately went to check on her system and came back very apologetically telling me, “I tried locating empty rows for you but there were too many people so I couldn’t shift you. But I’ve blocked the seat next to you so nobody can choose that seat. I’ve also informed the flight crew so they will help you carry your stuff when you arrive at the gate.”
I arrived at the gate, and a lady carried my souvenir bag and laptop bag, boarded the bus to the plane with me and handed them to the crew on board. The flight attendant who took over my baggage then carried them all the way to my seat.
During the flight, each time I had to stand up to ease the pain on my back, a flight attendant who sees me would ask me about my back. That was when I realised the entire crew knew about my back even though my brace was well-hidden under my clothes.
When the plane arrived at Singapore, a flight attendant came and helped me carry my baggage all the way to the plane door and told me she would hand it over to the ground staff and continue the walk to the luggage collection belt. Note that all this time, the people who helped me were female staff.
At the plane door, the flight attendant handed my baggage to a male ground staff at Changi airport and told him to help me carry it out. But after walking 10 steps with me, this man decided to ask me how many pieces of luggage I have checked in and when I told him “just one,” he said, “OK, I will go and help you carry it down first and wait for you there.” I thought, “Wow, great service!” But he then handed all my baggage to me and ran off to the luggage collection belt. =_=” Apparently, he didn’t understand I couldn’t carry them. So my pace to the baggage area slowed drastically.
The End
Singapore to Japan
At Changi airport during check-in, I told the ANA staff that I had sprained my back and the seat next to the one I reserved had no one when I last checked, so I hope they can, as much as possible, leave that seat empty so that I have room to shift and rest my back.
The male staff said, “Hang on, sir. Let me check.” He caressed his keyboard for a while and told me, “OK, sir. There’s no one next to you yet.”
The End
I’m not judging.
Seems like the japanese go to miles for their customers but so far i haven’t received such treatment when i went there sigh. Get well soon gaijinhan! I sprained my back a few times already but i never ever visited the doctor so i just keep spraining it again and again argh -__-
Oh dear, I still haven’t fully recovered after 3 weeks in spite of my visits to the doctor (chiropractor to be exact). Can’t imagine how you could bear with not receiving treatment. I guess it’s better to do some workout to strengthen the back after recovery. And thank you.
Hey Jinhan, are you back in Singapore already? I commented on one of your posts earlier and if you are back in Singapore I would like to meet up with you and ask you about getting a job in Japan if that’s alright? I just need some advice from someone who has already been there, done that. Lemme know dude thanks!
Hi Jerome,
I was back in Singapore but no thanks to a sprained back, I spent most of the time lying down at home. I’ve been back in Japan since. Not sure how I can be of help but as I have plans to be back again in March, maybe we could meet up then.
That’ll be awesome! I would like to meet up with you if possible. Is there any way I can contact you or something?
And also, I hope you recover soon! Sprained backs are no fun, and especially since it’s cold in Japan now you have to take care of yourself!
Thank you for your kind words.
I might get a pre-paid card when I’m back or I may just rent a mobile wifi.
In any case, I’ll mail you the details when I have them firmed.
Awesome! Let me know. Or just reply to here and I’ll give you my email
Hey Jinhan! It’s Jerome here. Are you back in Singapore now? Would like to possibly meet up with you to talk about living in Japan if that’s alright with you? Let me know!
Hi Jerome,
Yes, I’ve actually been back for a couple of weeks now, and while I’ve been trying to set aside some time to arrange a meet-up with you, my schedule was suddenly packed for my whole stay here and couldn’t find anytime to meet many people. So sorry about it. But there are plans to return again sometime this year. Nothing has been confirmed but if it is, I’ll let you know again.