Mandy Caruana, Hatfield, UK
Travelling concessions for RN personnel
A friend of the family is being deployed to Afghanistan in the new year. She is a Maltese citizen who joined the Royal Navy two years ago. Before going to Afghanistan she is travelling to Malta to see her family and to take back some of her personal belongings for safe-keeping.
In the UK, personnel are given travelling concessions, so we thought we would contact Air Malta to see if we could get her an upgrade, or perhaps some extra baggage allowance so she wouldn't have to pay for excess luggage. As we all know, personnel in the navy, army etc. are not paid that well!
We were told that it was not company policy to give extra allowances. I know for a fact that people do get upgraded - it's usually at the discretion of someone with Air Malta.
This young lady is serving her country, and even though Malta is not active in Afghanistan, the work being done there helps everyone and not just British citizens.
I would ask Air Malta to reconsider their policy, and as it's also Christmas, perhaps give someone who is going to have a few tough months ahead of her an early Christmas present!
As Tiny Tim says in the Christmas Carol... "God bless us, every one!"
Popular Stories
In Discussion
14 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Elizabeth Portelli
Dec 24th 2009, 13:49
Dear all,
Thank you all for your honest opinions and especially for those who support me. I am the lady in question of whom the article referred to.
My role in the Royal Navy is to provide medical cover for both soldiers and civilians. We also provide assistance worldwide to natural disasters such as the Tsunami and huricanes such as Hurricane Katrina. We are essentianlly a peace keeping force, though of course when a war breaks out, we do our duties and assist and fight for what we believe in. Where war is concerned, my personal beliefs in the reasonings for it commencing are overshadowed by the burning desire to do good in this world. I watch the tv and see people dying of hunger, disease, and a lack of medical needs - and I choose to join a force that does something about it. Malta may not be involved in a war, but surely, do you not think it is our humane duty to assist people who are less fortunate than us?
I am proud to represent my country in making the world a better place. Merry Christma to you all.
Anita Portelli
Dec 22nd 2009, 11:16
Just in case no one had noticed ... British Airways are no longer flying to Malta - maybe that will answer one of the comments below.
Have to applaud (NOT) the lack of Christmas Spirit in some of the comments, but thumbs up to the people who do understand that in an ideal world there would be no war but unfortunately some people have to be there. The Maltese Lady in the Royal Navy is a Medical Assistant and will be assisting any wounded soldiers btw just in case it was of any interest. Therefore she is has taken a concious choice to form part of the Navy and will putting her life at stake for the good of others. Its a tough job but someone has to do it, not everyone's cup of tea of course but thank god some people are there to help out. Happy Christmas everyone.
Mandy Caruana
Dec 22nd 2009, 11:05
I wrote the letter. She is not going to Aghanistan to fight... she is part of the medical team who go there to help the wounded of whatever nationality they are!!
Yes she has joined the UK forces. Dont forget that UK forces are not just there to go into battle. They also help out when there are national disasters - in the UK and abroad. So if god forbid anything ever happened to Malta... I am sure the British Forces would be first to help out!!!
This is not just about being at WAR!
joe portelli
Dec 20th 2009, 08:11
Ms Caruana's plead is with Air Malta - so can't understand why everyone is up in arms answering for them. Interesting.
Troops serving their country should be recognised for it and more so for commonwealth troops who do look after each other. The lasy is travelling to Malta so why not help her anyways.
She is a brave lady doing her job and we should be proud of her courage. We may not agree with the definition of Neutrality by the US Ambassador, I know I dont, but I certainly would not be against any brave soldier serving his country in teh dreadful and necessary conflict. Even the Pakistani Muslims are trying stop the Taliban so why cant we in the west all agree its right to do so.
Terrorism knows no religion nor nations, it knows no age nor sex and the Al Qaeda / Taliban are nobodies friends.
AIr Malta trust you consider some assitance for such public servants.
Maria Caruana
Dec 19th 2009, 19:55
I say hang on whats this got to do with our country of Malta, we are an independent country now, just because she is a Maltese citizen and in the British Forces, that was her choice to join up, and why should a Maltese citizen help the British and the Yanks for their own gain, her loyalty is with Malta and not Britain. We are now a republic or didn't U know that lving in the UK, i doubt if AirMalta will allow any concessions just because she is fighting to kill other humans same as you and me, what about us the Maltese then? As a Maltese citizen she should resign and get an inside chusy job in some travel agency and help to send some tourists over we need htem more then a gun and bullets
Steven Cachia
Dec 19th 2009, 18:43
Dear Joeseph , currently there are 600 maltese people serving in the British forces , being a Commonwealth Country we are still eligible to join .
Vince DeBono
Dec 19th 2009, 18:33
What is the policy of UK based airlines vis-a-vis Maltese AFM soldiers? Air Malta should match that.
joseph cachia
Dec 19th 2009, 18:28
@ GORDON FOSTER
Any of OUR MALTESE won'nt join a FOREIGN NAVY. We dedicate our service (live or die) to
our NATION ! MALTA.
As the lady is serving your country so you may spend peacefull time enjoying our hospitality,
how about an e-mail with your CREDIT CARD details to a British Airline to cover her expenses.
@d.calleja urry
Your CHRISTMAS SPIRIT should go beyond 'AIR MILES' that cost you nil, just visit AIR MALTA
office and leave a blank cheque. (that 's Spirit)
The overseas MALTESE brought in ! The half million euro loss are from their paid tax.
Have you ever SEEN any FIGHTING TERRORIST's in THE NON OTHER COUNTRIES INVASION ....MALTA..
JOSEPH CACHIA
Dec 19th 2009, 15:12
@MANDY CARUANA HATFIELD U.K
You friend is'nt going to AFGHAN to serve her country "MALTA" She is going there to help in the occupation and domination of a foreign country by America and the U.K. for their own
political gain.
MALTA can never take part in AFGHAN crusade , any military action there surely is not to our idea's nor to the majority of the U.K.
In your opinion the lady is going there to help the U.K, therefore you should contacted a British
Airline for concessions not AIR MALTA or her regiment to foot the bill out of the weekly £Sbillion wasted on the AFGHAN crusade.
R Dimech
Dec 19th 2009, 14:22
With all due respect to this servicewoman (and I have a great deal of respect for both active and ex-service personnel), what does AirMalta and, if it comes to it, Malta, got to do with it? The lady chose to serve in another country's navy and has been deployed. One should admire and praise her but it would be unreasonable to expect any prefereential treatment from Air Malta. Now if it was British Airways or any other UK airline, that would be a different matter........unless, of course, their staff happened to be on strike..................:)
Nathan Young
Dec 19th 2009, 13:21
As she is in the British army,I suggest that she tries B.A,
david calleja urry
Dec 19th 2009, 12:36
@I Falzon
go on - that's it - show us all your Christian Christmas Spirit - so let me have MY say...
It's Ok is it for a loss making Airline to fork out half a million euros to bring over overseas Maltese ''voters'' - it what is the the farce of the voting world... but it's a big deal to give an upgrade or allow some extra allowance to a MALTESE citizen who is risking life and limb fighting terrorists???... well personally, if i could she's welcome t all my ''miles'' if that helps... and i'm saying this publicly - so if anyone from Airmalta wants to contact me no problem ...
happy Christmas Mr/Ms Falzon - so nice to see that the spirit of Christmas beats so strongly in your heart!!!
Gordon Foster
Dec 19th 2009, 12:14
Ms Caruana,
As a UK National living in Malta and with a nephew currently serving in the UK armed forces and deployed on active service, I fully agree with you ....
Come on Air Malta, after all, the young lady is one of your own ....
Mr Falzon, not a bad idea.
I Falzon
Dec 19th 2009, 10:33
Ms Caruana, I'll go further than this. I suggest a year round AirMalta Father Xmas, doing the rounds and giving whatever is asked for by any Tom, Dick and Harry.