Airtours

...by the tour operator - AirTours - that I thought they deserved a plug.

Our party consisted of myself, my next door neighbour, her mother and mother's friend. Mother and friend are not in the flush of youth and we decided to go for assisted boarding, both of them being a bit old and decrepid and not too steady on their pins.

From the moment we arrived at the check-in desk we were treated like VIPs. The front seats in ...
...aren't allowed in there but Airtours had prewarned them of the arrival of the crocks and their party and magically two more wheelchairs appeared complete with some local wheelchair pushers who didn't seem to have much grasp of our language or us theirs but began propelling the wheelchairs at breakneck speed with me and neighbour running to keep up. They pointed us towards Immigration where we had to present passports and a £10 note for an entry visa ... more

I've just returned from my jollydays and was so impressed by the tour operator - AirTours - that I thought they deserved a plug.

Our party consisted of myself, my next door neighbour, her mother and mother's friend. Mother and friend are not in the flush of youth and we decided to go for assisted boarding, both of them being a bit old and decrepid and not too steady on their pins.

From the moment we arrived at the check-in desk we were treated like VIPs. The front seats in the plane had been reserved for us, yippee, more leg room. Wheelchairs and strong men to push them appeared from nowhere and we were whisked to the front of the queue and we were first to board the plane. I think the wheelchairs were a bit of an over-exaggeration as senior members of the party could walk, albeit slowly, but I'm not complaining. Their walking sticks were deposited in the overhead hold and guess who opened the thing and nearly managed to knock two passengers into a state of unconsciousness when one of the said sticks leaped out and managed a two for one donk on the head. Bet I couldn't achieve that again if I tried. Passenger in front seat got the full force and then it sort of flipped and got another one in the seat behind. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I would have thought it virtually impossible for one malevolent stick to wreak such havoc.

Time for me to join in the tuts of disgust and look round for the menace who put the damned thing there in the first place. Oh well the two passengers were still conscious but I bet they had some nice lumps on the head to take on holiday with them.

The flight passed pleasantly. Hostesses were very friendly and couldn't seem to do enough to help the passengers. Now that makes a refreshing change. They weren't the ones you usually get with so much makeup on that their faces seem frozen but actually seemed to care for our wellbeing. Don't suppose they did really but they managed to come across as professional and caring.

When we finally arrived at the Military Airport at Bodrum we were told we would be on our own as the Reps. aren't allowed in there but Airtours had prewarned them of the arrival of the crocks and their party and magically two more wheelchairs appeared complete with some local wheelchair pushers who didn't seem to have much grasp of our language or us theirs but began propelling the wheelchairs at breakneck speed with me and neighbour running to keep up. They pointed us towards Immigration where we had to present passports and a £10 note for an entry visa and disappeared with the aged pair into the distance. We were panicking a little when they disappeared as we now had 4 passports between us and only two people. That didn't seem to present a problem. Money was accepted, visas stamped in them and we were left to make our own way to luggage reclaim point where we were also able to reclaim the missing party members.

So keen were the two little men to help us retrieve our luggage that they were actually running along the moving conveyor belt the wrong way to try and get ours first before they even got inside the building. We'd managed to convey by a bit of sign language that our bags had ribbons on them and sure enough, we were front of the queue again.

Once out of the airport we found the AirTours rep. with no problem. Again, very friendly and helpful and soon had us on the right coach and ready to go to our hotel.

The VIP treatment still continued when we finally arrived at the hotel with the oldies being practically carried inside, so keen were the staff to help. We weren't left to struggle with the luggage either as another little man (why are they all so small I wonder) took charge and whisked it all to the room at a speed which left us almost running to keep up.

We had booked a ground floor room as steps would have been a bit of a problem and sure enough, this is what we got. So yet another plus, they had got everything right so far, so absolutely nothing to complain about. This also makes a wonderful change from the norm. I'm usually composing the letter of complaint in my head for when I return almost as soon as I get to the destination and find everything not as it should be.

The room was exactly as it had said in the brochure with everything there that should be, although instead of being poolside which would have been nice, we were opposite the children's club. Didn't specify a pool view though so no complaint there either.

After a good night's rest we were able to face the world the next day.

The first thing that struck me as we had a wander around the hotel to familiarize ourselves with it, was how many AirTours representatives there actually were there. Some were devoted to the children and arranged various games and entertainment for them. There was even a system where you could sign them in and dump them for the day under constant supervision, thus ensuring parents didn't spent the day worrying if the kids were about to be swept to their deaths in the swimming pool. There were numerous activities especially for them which all looked highly energetic but the reps went into things full swing and were dancing on the stage with the children one moment and then leading them off for face painting the next. As the temperature was in the 40s I think this took a great deal of effort, but not one of them looked as though it bothered them. They all had a smile on their face and seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as the children in their care. They also seemed to remember the children's names which I thought was impressive. I've forgotten the names of anyone I've been introduced to within the space of minutes Ten out of ten there from me.

There were also reps who had badges proclaiming them to be "Entertainment Managers". These were in charge of the grown ups and also worked extremely hard, did plenty of jigging round the pool, looking deliriously happy all the while, arranged pool (as in the sticks and balls and pool table variety) games, water polo and various other things to keep those that felt the need, occupied.

As well as all these reps there was also one designated especially to help with any problems. Apart from the hotel receptionist being convinced we were leaving a day before we should, there was very little she need to help us with and soon smoothed that little glitch up.

Another thing which really impressed me about the AirTours staff was that there seemed to be a policy to employ people of all ages, sizes and sexual persuasions. Don't think I've ever seen an elderly rep before but there were some that seemed even older than me - unless they weren't wearing very well. Not true, one life and soul of the party lady rep admitted to being in her sixties so there's hope for me yet to change my life. There were extremely fat ones who still got into the swing of things and danced like gooduns, wobbling all their bits as they did so. Stick insects, tall ones, miniscule ones, every race, colour and creed seemed to be included in their staff, so another big ten out of ten from me again.

As the week passed, I never saw a single rep would didn't look as though they weren't enjoying every single minute of their working day. These people all deserve medals, they work so hard, such long hours and I should imagine not excessively huge pay packets either.

Sadly the week drew to a close and it was time to leave so how would we fare on the return journey in the help department.

The bus deposited us outside the terminal, the rep said goodbye and have a safe journey and actually looking as though he meant it, left us to make our way inside where he wasn't allowed to accompany us.

Suddenly at our side appeared two extremely handsome men pushing wheelchairs and wouldn't take no for an answer when the two oldies said it would be okay, they could manage as there was plenty of time so they could take things slowly and walk. They were poked into the chairs and off we went again, front of the queues, first on the plane and the best seats.

As you can see, I really appreciated the service we got from AirTours and it's a real change to come back from holiday and everything has gone swimmingly. Couldn't find a single thing to complain about. Most impressive. Well done AirTours.

Postscript:

It has been pointed out that I didn't comment on the booking procedure or speed with which tickets arrived.

I had no involvement in this part of the holiday and simply turned up on my neighbour's doorstep on the morning of departure after she had done all the hard work.

My review only reflects what I experienced of Airtours first hand but I do believe buying the tickets was equally smooth and tickets arrived in good time.
 

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