A little thoughtfulness can a long way.
One employee of Air Asia, who was following protocol on dealing with passengers with excess baggage, learned that sometimes there are exceptions worth making. Like when those passengers are on their way to fight a war.
A fellow passenger’s Facebook post went viral on how fellow Filipino passengers offered to take on the soldiers’ luggage that was beyond their allotted weight.
Two of the soldiers were on their way to join the fight against the Maute group in Marawi while the other was going to Cotabato.
Facebook user Inday Rakel shared on her Facebook: “I am on queue for my flight bound to Davao tonight (18-7-17) with flight no. Z2615. Ahead of me were 3 humble soldiers. When their turn came to check their luggage in, the lads got an excess with their luggage weigh.”
The three soldiers, she said, stepped back and tried to sort their stuff without any complaints.
“But even if how hardly they tried, still there was a 7 kgs. excess in one of the soldier’s [luggage],” Inday narrated.
Rakel nearly stepped in to talk the staff into making an exception for the soldiers.
“After learning where they were bound to, I felt the need to talk to the Supervisor. I mean, these men are risking their lives for our security, our peace, our freedom…can’t they be granted with [little] bit of privilege? At least a free 7 kilograms luggage,” she added.
But before she could speak to the airline supervisor, a passenger had already offered to take in some of the soldier’s belongings.”
Inday herself said she offered to put the soldier’s shoes in her bag as she still had an extra 2 kilos available.
“I am blessed to somehow help them with their luggage, and that was a little thank you for the bigger job they are doing. But, we are even blessed to have these men who are ready to die for our freedom, for our land,” Inday said.
The Facebook post has gained over 34,000 likes and 5,200 shares as of this posting.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Inday said she did not intend to criticize the airline or its employees.
“I’m confident that Air Asia could do something about those needs. It was so sad to watch, they’re fighting for our freedom. It wouldn’t hurt to treat them a bit,” she said.
Responding to the incident, AirAsia Philippines CEO Captain Dexter Comendador said that they “recognize the incredible sacrifice of our military heroes and the Bayanihan spirit among Filipinos.”
AirAsia then said it will be increasing the free baggage allowance to 40 kilos to all AFP personnel on a peace-keeping mission “upon presentation of their official ID and mission order effective immediately.”
Comendador knows the struggle of these soldiers all too well, as he was a member of the Philippine Air Force as a fighter pilot in the 1980s, before becoming a commercial pilot, and then an airline executive.
AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla called the incident “very inspiring and heartening.”
“We truly appreciate their support and the overwhelming support we are getting from the public. We take this as our source of inspiration and strength…We hope you won’t get tired of praying that we regain control of the situation and for peace for our mother country,” he added.
with reports from ABS-CBN News
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