Goodbye Air Jamaica

Compiled by Walter Greene

Air Jamaica made it’s final flight as the national carrier for the island of Jamaica with flight JM036 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica, just after 11:00pm last Friday night. The mood surrounding the flight was quite somber, even the pilot, Captain Paul Wilson said it was like a funeral. Wilson had been with Air Jamaica for 26 years.

The ownership of Air Jamaica officially changed hands on Friday, when Trinidad based Caribbean Airlines took over its operation.

According to Air Jamaica officials, everything will be the same for customers flying on Air Jamaica. The tickets will be honored and current gateways will still be in effect, only the ownership has changed. In terms of the staff of Air Jamaica, everyone’s position was made redundant, but it was reported that most of the Air Jamaica staff were re-hired under the new Caribbean Airlines management and control.

Captain Wilson, whose was re-hired under the new Caribbean Airlines banner, told the Jamaica Observer about that final flight under the Air Jamaica umbrella: "The flight was very emotional with a lot of sentiments.

We saw some low spirited people coming off there. There were so many wonderful experiences that we had as a family, and today was really a rough day for many people, as we saw people collecting redundancy checks and crying and separating. It was heart rending."

Air Jamaica used to be the pride of Jamaica and at one point the pride of the Caribbean. It used to be a pleasure to fly on Air Jamaica, especially during the Butch Stewart days when the brand of Air Jamaica became the most popular brand of Jamaica on the international circuit, next to Bob Marley. Customers grew accustomed to the popular `Lovebird Service’ which featured a red carpet check in service, unlimited champagne and a hot Jamaican meal during flights. They also introduced a `flying chef’ and in-flight fashion show on some routes as well as the friendliest and most beautiful flight attendants.

This all drastically changed as the airline began going through a series of changes on every level. Even the flight staff became disgruntled and most times rude as word got out that the airline was in deep trouble and they jobs would soon be gone. The elimination of a hot meal was the start of things to come. Snacks replaced the `Lovebird Hospitality’ service and complains of rude flight attendants and desk service clerks were abundant. Customers became accustomed to the `Lovebird Service’ and the familiar voice instructing them to `Please fasten your seatbelts.’ Service on the new Air Jamaica shocked many, and the brand loyalty was gone. Many opted for other airlines as constant delays and cancellations plagued the new Air Jamaica.

An Air Jamaica frequent flyer who lives in the New York area noted that Air Jamaica was more than just an airline to her. She said, she liked the uniform and the food. "I even liked the St Mary’s banana chips that they started serving when the hot meal was discontinued.

It was a familiar homely feeling to me," she stated. While most Air Jamaica customers missed the extra touch that the airline offered, others felt its just a mode of transportation and people should not have gotten attached to an airline, especially now with airfares at an all time high and restrictions for stored luggage as well as carry on pieces are as strict as ever. Needless to say airport security has reached it’s peak.

Air Jamaica staff has mixed feelings about the change and the new management. A 20 year old veteran with the airline said that he was trying to be practical about the change in management; "I have mixed feelings and there is sadness, but change is inevitable. It has been a very emotional time, so I did not distance myself from the task at hand."

Another staff member who handled the service counter at the airport said that some passengers were very upset and just were not nice at the check-in counter.

She noted that they actually got on bad. She stated that she did not know if it was their way of dealing with the situation, but some passengers even said that it was good that the airline was "going out" because it was a mess and told her that they hope she goes home also.

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