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One place you don’t want to be for Eid – Stuck at Riyadh Airport with @BritishAirways

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Where do you want to be on your first day of Eid/vacation? It’s not the most pleasant experience being stuck at any airport in the world, but this story does break my heart. The above video was posted today after what appears to be a nightmare experience. The below text is from one of the passengers on BA262 which was supposed to leave on the 7th of August from Riyadh to London Heathrow but arrived three flights and a day later than scheduled. And while safety is of paramount importance and these things do happen I have to ask, why didn’t BA do better in terms of its customer service?

On checking into the airport the flight BA262 on 7th Aug 2013 from Riyadh to London was delayed by 20 minutes. This was extended to nearly 4 hours with statements every hour. The air conditioning within the airport was not working and the status updates very vague and not helpful. No refreshments were made available and the passengers left to fend for themselves. Finally we did board the aircraft and took off from Riyadh, however approx 30 minutes into the flight we started circling Riyadh and did not go anywhere. We were then told that there was an issue with the main wing flaps jamming and had to eject 20 tonnes of fuel and return to Riyadh.

The emergency landing was fast and hard but fortunately the pilot was good and we made a safe landing.

Passengers disembarked and went through a living nightmare from start to finish and ended up leaving the airport with no support from BA what so ever!!!!

The aircraft, we were told was fixed and we were to return the next day to take off at 0700hrs. We ended up taking off close to 0900hrs 8 Aug, again we climbed and again the same issue occurred about 30 minutes into the flight. The main wing flaps jammed again. we then went through the same scenario of dumping the fuel and then another emergency landing back at Riyadh airport. This time there was screaming and crying within the aircraft and again blue lights chasing us up the runway. On coming to a stand still there was a person who was took ill and passed out and the para medics were dispatched to attend the aircraft to treat the person.

BA you have en-dangered peoples lives, you have not been there when needed, you are a disgrace!!!!

Teaching with passion: the story of PCCI and Mariano ‘Jun’ Miranda

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You’ll not meet a more passionate photographer and teacher than PCCI’s founder Jun Miranda


I’ve been away from the sandpit for a couple of weeks. While I do miss home, I’ve had the pleasure of being in the Philippines for several weeks with my better half. Several years back we were told by a dear friend of ours, the late Moses Dizon, about a training center in the Philippines that specialized in photography and creative imaging. The center’s name was the
Philippine Center for Creative Imaging.

After lots of planning and preparation we flew over to Manila to enroll in a number of photography, creative and web design training courses. We fought through Manila’s traffic and got to grips with the capital’s manic urban planning to walk through the doors of PCCI as it’s best known. And then we met Mariano ‘Jun’ Miranda.

Some institutions are modeled after their founders. Think Apple, think Steve Jobs. The same is true of PCCI and Jun Miranda. To call Jun a photographer wouldn’t do the man justice. Beyond his abilities and skills he is a firm believer in education and teaching. With a number of colleagues he set up PCCI 12 years ago. He believes in teaching but with passion, in educating others to empower them, and in enjoying the learning experience.

I had the chance to sit down with Jun for a couple of minutes to record a short interview. Have a listen to the man and if you get the chance visit PCCI. You can see more of what they’re up to at their website which is http://pcci.com.ph/.