The next decade....what's in store?

What I've been doing these last days...

Packing, packing and more packing. Sounds like I'm going with many 'grips' right? Nah. Just a large suitcase, a medium size suitcase and the carry on along with my laptop.

Air Jamaica, like BWIA, have dropped the weight allowance for Economy passengers to two bags @ 50lbs each. Previously you were allowed two @ 70lbs each. However, in Air Jamaica first class, you're allowed the 70lbs weight which I'm happy for.

Do you know that it's only US$70 or thereabouts to upgrade from Economy to First Class if you have a year ticket? Yup. The first time my travel was being paid for, my sister gave me that tip. She used to work at one of the airlines then. So I paid the difference to upgrade and have done so almost every time that my travel is being paid for.

For me, First Class is not for the champagne or free wine...it is for the space, the extra weight allowance ( and you know with my body weight being what it is, I need that!), and the space. Oh, I said that already. Also, the late check in, the departure lounge, and for who you might see in there that could be a contact. But I haven't quite learnt how to work contacts yet, so that's neither here nor there.

What else have I been doing? Running around doing errands, mostly consisting of fitting clothes, arguing with tailors and dress makers and of course in that process, there are a few drivers to curse inwardly.

I took some fabric to a well known tailoring establishment. It was the first time they were making a jacket for me. Previously they had made some pants and I swore I would never go back. But when you want a well constructed professional looking jacket, a proper tailoring establishment is the only place to go I think. Do you know it took me four trips there for them to finally get it right?

So when I was leaving on the third trip, I saw the owner and I told him that he will have to deduct something for the amount of gas I was using up coming to him all these times. He said he would be there today so I was to check with him. He took off J$500, so that was appreciated. But their system needs changing. There is a breakdown between those who take the instructions from the customer, and those who sew. One of the times I was there, I witnessed a young lady being very upset. She came to try on two skirts and they were flared skirts. She said she told them very clearly that she didn't want a flared skirt and sure enough when you look at the instructions, it said NO FLARE (or is it FLAIR?). That leads me to think that the tailors cannot read.

Seriously. Owners and managers do not look at the competencies required to do a particular job and then hire for that. They just take a man who say him used to sew at Mr John Black tailor shop, just because he says he has experience. For this job, the tailor needs to be able to read, calculate measurements, be dextrous, operate a pair of scissors and a sewing machine, etc etc. So a good element to add to this interview is to make him, under observation, cut a garment, sew it and adjust it by X inches.

Anyway, I am rambling. Let me finish up. I went to cricket yesterday and today as well. Unfortunately I won't be able to see any of Jamaica's home matches in the upcoming four day regional tournament. That is always a nice break, especially when they are playing in the rural parts. I should be able to see one of the Windwards matches though, so at least I will see some cricket.

Ok, it's tres warm. Must get back to the packing. Enjoy your weekend.

Posted by yamfoot at November 4, 2005 10:27 PM