Medan Trip

I went for a vacation to Medan with a group of my close friends. This is in fact my second visit to Medan.

We checked in three bags and we were given 3 baggage identification tag at LCCT. When we arrived at Polonia International Airport Medan, we were subjected to strict security check. We have no qualms over the strict security check, however we were totally amazed at the number of counters at the Immigration. We are to collect the baggage as soon as it is available at the places of destination. Just imagine how were we to do so when we were held up at the Immigration. When we finally cleared the Immigration, we have the greatest shock of all. One of the baggage was lost and no where to be seen. My friend was desperate over her lost baggage and she checked with the Airport Authorities. We were told to hold on till the last passenger has cleared the Immigration. There was no unclaimed baggage and we were advised to report the matter to the AirAsia Office.

Meanwhile, we have to inform the local Tour Guide of our predicament. While we were reviewing the situation, there was a local who offered the assistance to carry the remaining baggage on a trolley to the waiting coach. Guess what, the local was claiming for porter fees and he was not willing to accept anything less than RP3000.

We have to be mindful at all times that there is NO free service. The local was able to capitalise at the point of time when we were in doubt of our next step of action. We considered ourselves lucky in that it was the porter fees he was asking and not again another lost baggage.

My friend then reported the case of lost baggage to AirAsia Office. She was requested to give her Malaysian house contact number to which she was not happy as her handphone has international roaming service. She saw no rationale of giving her Malaysian house contact number. She eventually sought the assistance of the local tour guide and gave his handphone number to AirAsia office.

My friend was very upset as it was not the baggage but the value that was attached to it which cannot be replaced. She even comtemplated taking the next connecting flight back to Malaysia.

She eventually agreed to stay on and she has to make some back up plans. She went to the nearest Mall to purchase some essentials.

Eventually, she received a call from the Airport Authorities stating that her baggage has been recovered after 4 long hours. She went to claim back her lost baggage. When she questioned as to how the lost baggage was recovered, she got evasive answers. She noticed that her padlock was picked.

We have had a pleasant trip. Guess what, we also have a good opening story of Medan trip.

Something for sharing.