I don't wish to offend anyone but .... [I don't like Qantas using Dubai]

[ashleyn]

Traveling to Europe from Perth, I liked the stopover in Singapore. I like Singapore it's clean, safe I know my way around. Now QF has jumped in bed with Emirates and I understand why but I have to go via Dubai. I don't want to go to Dubai. I am not a racist or a bigot but I don't like a lot about the Arab world, their laws, their religion or their culture. The Odyssey by our Mods might shed some more light on the situation, but from what I read, I just don't like it.

United Arab Emirates - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[TheInsider]

Go a different airline then. Is it really that hard?

 

[mella2007]

You have nothing to be concerned about. I don't like many countries for various laws and reasons but I make do if I have to. No one is asking you to support their views on religion or their culture, but IF you're planning a stopover then you do need to respect their laws and culture.

If you're going to be in transit, it is just like every other airport in the world...many different travellers of various nationalities, shops, smoking lounges, food outlets etc.
I received a comment from the guy at the transit desk at Abu Dhabi airport that he wondered why I was trying to "cover up". My answer was that I was respecting their culture. He said it was appreciated but not necessary as I was in the airport under transit law (I had a scarf loosely over my shoulders in 50 degree heat) and for me to think as I was in any other airport around the world.

There is much to like about the Middle East. It is a fascinating country; fantastic shopping, the hotels are incredible and I have found people very friendly towards Westerners. I don't see much difference in all honesty between the UAE and Asian countries.

What are you most fearful about?

 

[Mal]

Fine. Don't fly through Dubai. Choose other carriers.

Qantas are set on this direction and are not going to change.

Btw, this topic has been done to death. Some people don't want to fly through Dubai (and the vast majority who say that haven't even been to the UAE before which I find interesting ). Qantas has decided that they will only fly through Dubai. Either qantas or the passenger blinks first.. can't see it being qantas.

 

[ashleyn]

Go a different airline then. Is it really that hard?

When you have a heap of QFF points and status, yes it is that hard.

 

[ashleyn]

You have nothing to be concerned about. I don't like many countries for various laws and reasons but I make do if I have to. No one is asking you to support their views on religion or their culture, but IF you're planning a stopover then you do need to respect their laws and culture.

If you're going to be in transit, it is just like every other airport in the world...many different travellers of various nationalities, shops, smoking lounges, food outlets etc.
I received a comment from the guy at the transit desk at Abu Dhabi airport that he wondered why I was trying to "cover up". My answer was that I was respecting their culture. He said it was appreciated but not necessary as I was in the airport under transit law (I had a scarf loosely over my shoulders in 50 degree heat) and for me to think as I was in any other airport around the world.

There is much to like about the Middle East. It is a fascinating country; fantastic shopping, the hotels are incredible and I have found people very friendly towards Westerners. I don't see much difference in all honesty between the UAE and Asian countries.

What are you most fearful about?

Good info, I suppose I'm most concerned that my choice has been taken away by this alliance. I'm planning a European trip so maybe my concerns will evaporate.

 

[Fruitcake]

Good info, I suppose I'm most concerned that my choice has been taken away by this alliance.

The 'choice' you have at present of transiting in either SIN... or SIN? Not much of a choice.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

When you have a heap of QFF points and status, yes it is that hard.

No it's not , don't be so ridiculous. You can fly CX, or AA, or whatever oneworld airline you wish with those points.

 

[Mal]

When you have a heap of QFF points and status, yes it is that hard.

Cathay pacific awards, Malaysia airlines awards, British airways awards, finnair awards (and that's not the complete set of partners).

I find that Dubai is misunderstood by many people. Yes some people have genuine reasons why they should not fly through or enter the UAE but for most passengers this shouldnt be an issue.

 

[mella2007]

Good info, I suppose I'm most concerned that my choice has been taken away by this alliance. I'm planning a European trip so maybe my concerns will evaporate.

Are you transiting only? If yes, there is honestly nothing to be concerned over. Think of it like any other stopover to Europe. Read up on their airport website...it's just an airport.
If you are planning on staying a night and don't want to leave the airport...stay in a transit hotel.
If you do want to see a different culture and stop over, read lots of websites and info so you know what to expect. The fact remains there are so many expats living in the Middle East, you will likely see more tourists and Westerners in the tourist parts.

As for your comment re the alliance. You DO have a choice. There are other ways to go to Europe if you want to bypass the UAE completely. Yes you may have to pay for part of it but it's still a choice that you have the power to make.

 

[asg29e]

...I am not a racist or a bigot but I don't like a lot about the Arab world, their laws, their religion or their culture...

Hmmm... Good job you said you aren't a racist or a bigot or some people may have wondered. Actually I am still wondering. What if you swapped the word "Arab" for "Aborigine," "Gay" or "Jew." Would that make you a racist or bigot?

 

[mannej]

When you have a heap of QFF points and status, yes it is that hard.

Easy if you want to stop over in SIN and still earn points. Fly QF to SIN, have your stop over then use BA on your was to LHR.

 

[flying_double]

The old "I don't want to offend anyone but... I will anyway!"


The answer to your dilemma is pretty obvious. Call Qantas, tell them you've spent a lot of time accumulating points and status, and demand that they re-route via SIN again because DXB doesn't suit you. Throw a little DYKWIA into the mix too, that'll give your request more grunt. Also can't hurt to remind them that the nasty Arabs are behind crippling jet fuel prices (Emirates and Etihad get theirs for free after all), and that therefore, it's in everyone's best interests that the alliance and all communications with the Arabs be severed before all hell, or should that be jahannam, breaks loose.


Now for the ridiculous answer. Don't fly Qantas via DXB! As others have suggested, use your points and status on other oneworld airlines. Or go non-oneworld and slum it without status for a while *deep gasp*

 

[medhead]

Hmmm... Good job you said you aren't a racist or a bigot or some people may have wondered. Actually I am still wondering. What if you swapped the word "Arab" for "Aborigine," "Gay" or "Jew." Would that make you a racist or bigot?

Actually, saying you don't like something is not racist. Treating people differently, to their disadvantage is racist. I don't like some stereotypical characteristics of certain races. But I do not discriminate against individuals of those races, I treat everyone as an equal. Hence I say my dislike is not racist.

For the record I also dislike some of the laws and attitudes towards women that seem to be prevalent in certain countries. But I'm not going to implement a travel ban because of that dislike, perhaps just exercise greater caution when I travel there.

 

[JohnK]

I think Qantas has made one big mistake. They should have left at least one route to Europe via Asia. Just my gut feeling.

Actually, saying you don't like something is not racist....

Spot on and excellent post.

The are a lot of things I do not like and the answer is not as easy as to say simply accept them or go elsewhere.

 

[medhead]

Spot on and excellent post.

The are a lot of things I do not like and the answer is not as easy as to say simply accept them or go elsewhere.

Thanks.

I actually think the answer is accept or avoid. Well maybe not accept, perhaps tolerate or ignore. In this case, Either you like flying qantas so much that you accept every country is different and then tolerate or ignore the thing you dislike, or you dislike it so much you stop flying qantas.

Whinging to qantas ain't going to make them change the laws. Posting big love in threads about the dodgy laws on AFF ain't going to change anything.

 

[JohnK]

I actually think the answer is accept or avoid. Well maybe not accept, perhaps tolerate or ignore. In this case, Either you like flying qantas so much that you accept ever country is different and then tolerate or ignore the thing you dislike, or you dislike it so much you stop flying qantas.

I think the right answer is avoid.

But at the same time the wrong answer is to criticise someone because they decide to avoid. They do not necessarily need to accept.

Yes I know that may sound complex but it is tied into your previous post.

 

[here2go]

My Ukrainian sister-in-law will not travel through UAE on her own. She is blonde and petite, and has a fear of the Arabs due to sexual slavery, which is a common problem for Eastern European women. I can understand her not wanting to fly.

 

[Mal]

My Ukrainian sister-in-law will not travel through UAE on her own. She is blonde and petite, and has a fear of the Arabs due to sexual slavery, which is a common problem for Eastern European women. I can understand her not wanting to fly.

So does she avoid the uk? Sexual slavery is a huge issue in the uk. Australia has also busted many sexual slavery rings. You seem to imply that as soon as she turns up in the uae she will be abducted and forced into a life of slavery. I'd really love to see any statistics, heck any news reports that back up that claim.

 

[here2go]

So does she avoid the uk? Sexual slavery is a huge issue in the uk. Australia has also busted many sexual slavery rings. You seem to imply that as soon as she turns up in the use she will be abducted and forced into a life of slavery. I'd really love to see any statistics, heck any news reports that back up that claim.

It's perspective. She fears that an Arab will just kidnap her. Reality is the crime rings in Eastern Europe will smuggle girls just about anywhere as you suggest. Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Albania are target countries in Europe, especially in their regional areas, where she is from. There is a strong consciousness of the problem, being a potential target of slavery, a lot more so than here in the West.