I expect resolution very quickly: Davies
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Kugluktuk (Mar 05/01) - After more than two years of waiting to find out what happened to a piece of his luggage, Kugluktuk's Camilius Egeni might just get some answers.
Egeni's problem with First Air began he moved from Inuvik to the Kitikmeot community in December 1998.
"My luggage was too heavy to go as luggage so (First Air) told me I had to go through cargo.
"I was advised it would come the same week," said Egeni.
He says the contents of the box was worth about $5,000, although many of the personal items were priceless.
"At the end of the second week, I went to First Air ... they told me my luggage was missing," he said.
Egeni didn't fill out a claim right away because he was hoping the box would turn up. He was told a few days later that it had surfaced in Calgary, but disappeared again.
Egeni said he was told by an airline employee that he would only be reimbursed $50 because he didn't purchase insurance.
"I was very annoyed," he said.
His television also arrived smashed, and wasn't covered because he didn't send it through cargo. He reordered and paid for a new TV, which also arrived smashed, but First Air bought him a new one.
Egeni finally talked about his problems at a community meeting organized by MLA Donald Havioyak and Mayor Stanley Anablak on Feb. 15.
The pair invited First Air representatives to the community to meet with residents and listen to their concerns.
About 70 people talked to the carrier about their quality of service, high cost of passenger and freight carriage and cargo handling.
"I went to see the guy and I gave him the forms," said Egeni. "That's what happened."
Bob Davies, First Air's vice-president for commercial operations out of Yellowknife, was at the meeting and said he is helping Egeni find answers.
"I expect resolution fairly quickly," said Davies.
He added that he hoped to have similar meetings in other Nunavut communities.
"That's the appropriate thing to do, get out and listen to the customer," said Davies, adding that residents seemed pleased the airline visited their hamlet.
"They very much appreciated that we've taken the time to visit the community.
"Some people came up to us after and said that was all they wanted."
