Find time for the children
As a child, I remember visiting a neighbourhood park every day and playing with my siblings (“Build more parks for children to play”, Gulf News, August 5). However, children playing on the streets seem to be a common sight these days. There have been times when I have had to brake sharply while driving in order to let a child collect a football that had rolled on to the street. I don’t think it is necessary to emphasise how dangerous this is. Why are these children not playing in parks? I agree that many areas may not have neighbourhood parks, but it is quite possible for parents to drive them to one that is nearby. Many people would argue that they do not have the time, or that it is quite inconvenient, but blaming the authorities for not making parks is not the solution either. To pass the blame is easy, but are you willing to make an effort yourself?
From Ms Rabia K.
Sharjah
Can’t blame the little ones
I was born and brought up in Abu Dhabi. As a child, I played on the streets and have even been hit by cars a couple of times. The same can be said for a large number of people. At one time, parking spaces were empty and we played there all day long. But, these days, children don’t even have that. This explains the large number of unhealthy and obese children. It is not their fault that they have no way of using their energy in fun and play. Who is to blame?
From Mr Fahim
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Get tough with rash drivers
We hear of accidents on the roads almost every day (“One killed, three hurt as six cars crash and burst in flames”, Gulf News, August 5). What are we doing to change this? Every time there is a report about an accident, I see several comments from readers talking about speeding and reckless driving. Even with numerous radars and police patrols, nothing seems to be changing. I think the authorities need to become even stricter in order to curb speeding. I would suggest stiff penalties, such as confiscation of licences or even black points. If a few people were to be penalised, they’d be an example for the rest. Additionally, the process of getting a driver’s licence should be made harder.
From Mr Raja Chandra
Abu Dhabi
Better safe than sorry
I think it should be mandatory for every driver to check their vehicle’s tyres before they set out for their destination, especially if it is a long journey. Why do we need to wait for something to happen only to regret later on? We need to be more careful and show some consideration for others, too.
From Mr Mathew Litty
Dubai
Website comment
Avoidable tragedy
The report on the accident is made even more disturbing by the fact it was completely avoidable. Reckless driving and speeding are so common and some motorists are so inherently arrogant.
From Ms Meredith
Dubai
Website comment
Is the US admitting its guilt?
Authorities in the US are asking for the WikiLeaks videos to be removed (“Pentagon asks WikiLeaks to erase leaked material”, Gulf News, August 6). That leads to the obvious question — why? I assume that a lot of people would be thinking the same way — why would the US want those videos gone? Is it because it is showing them in a bad light? Over the years of war in Afghanistan, various news channels were only able to give minor details to the public, with only a few occasional video clips. To believe whether the WikiLeaks videos are real or not is not an issue any more. But, by asking for the videos to be deleted, it almost seems like the US is trying to cover up.
From Ms Tanya S.
Sharjah
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Readers’ issues raised
No upgrade
As gold members of Emirates Skywards scheme, my son and I have had at least 20 incidents with Emirates when we purchased business class tickets and requested upgrades to first with our miles.
In each case these requests were denied with the remark that the first class is full and no upgrades were available. This happened on flights to Malta, China, Japan, Switzerland and Germany. In each of these cases, the first class cabin was either completely empty or half full! We complained, but Emirates’ responses are totally unsatisfactory.
The top performance of Emirates in this regard was on May 9 from Malta to Dubai. First there was the standard response, “no”. But, after a lot of convincing, I was confirmed with the upgrade but my son wasn’t. I was alone in first class, with 11 vacant seats available.
To my astonishment, I had to face the worst quality first class seating on my night flight on May 25 from Zurich, Switzerland to Dubai. The seats did not even fully recline and were certainly not the standard that Emirates promotes and for which we pay!
Furthermore, the first class was empty. However, a miles upgrade was not available and we were forced to buy a first class ticket.
Why does Emirates offer a miles programme when these miles cannot be redeemed? I simply do not understand.
From Mr Stephan R. Schaerrer
Dubai
An Emirates spokesperson responds:
We are sorry to hear of Mr Schaerrer’s disappointment with Skywards’ upgrade reward availability. As previously booked seats in First or Business Class can become available at the last minute due to passenger no-shows, we recommend that passengers use our Instant Upgrade Reward, which has been available to Gold and Silver Skywards members for the last few years.
Instant upgrades offer the opportunity to redeem Skywards Miles for an upgrade, at check-in, or onboard with our cabin crew, giving passengers access to last-minute seats in either Business or First Class.
It is never our intention to leave our customers unhappy with the services provided. Our Skywards team have already been in touch with Mr Schaerrer.
Mr Schaerrer responds:
As usual, Emirates is not truthful! We constantly check the seat availabilities under websites. The flights in question had never more than three bookings in first class, leaving nine seats open.
Editor’s note: The follow up letter was forwarded to Emirates for comment, but they said that they have nothing further to add.
Denied application
In November, 2009, a marketing executive of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) contacted me to apply for a Titanium credit card. I had filled up their forms and they asked me to sign an undated blank cheque which comes with the application.
After some days I didn’t get any response from them about the application and I continued calling them. Finally, they told me that my application got declined, even though I had provided all the necessary documents with an undated cheque.
I told them to send me an official statement stating that my card [application] had been rejected and a document for the same will be held by them. But I received no positive response from them.
I made an official complaint [through] their website and after four days a representative called and told me that according to ADCB they never return the documents.
I am fed up of following up with different people to get my case resolved.
I do not want my document back, but I need a letter from ADCB stating my card application has been declined and the cheque will be destroyed from their end. I seek Gulf News’ help in solving my problem.
From Mr Omar Farook
Abu Dhabi
The management of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) responds:
Please be informed that the customer has been notified that as per the Terms & Conditions of the bank, documents can’t be returned to the customer, when his/her application is declined when it does not meet the criteria of the bank.
Customer was convinced to close his case by sending him an e-mail by our end confirming that his application is regretfully declined.
Editor’s note: If you have similar consumer complaints, send them to us at readers@gulfnews.com
