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September 29, 2005
Touts at KLIA
I just wonder what happened to the announcements, a long time back, that touts at the airport would disappear?
When I came back from a recent trip, man, I had offers to get a taxi from at lest 10 different sources. Since I do know how to handle touts, I am okay. What makes me wonder is the perception of tourists. Will they think that this is normal?
These guys at the airport surely don't have many customers - only the naive or unknowing will use them. So I wonder, what kind of prices they actually charge? Somehow, they must make up for the whole day that they hang out there to get, may be one or two customers.
They are acting on their own resources, or, in layman's terms, I don't think that they want to change, have or see an alternative to gain their income in a different manner. The touts are happy with what they are doing. Cheerful. It is their job, it is their profession, they feel that they can cope with it. The only problem is that they act outside legality. Pity - they might be good salespeople, if trained in honest ways. But as it is now, I don't think they disappear.
Posted by Andreas at September 29, 2005 02:33 PM
Comments
I have watched this 'ulat' issue highlighted in Edisi Siasat. How about this one? My mom just returned from Langkawi. She told me, when she arived there the first day, there was a man standing nearby the bus door as the passangers ezited one by one. He took candid pictures of each of them... without asking permission... on the day she left Langkawi, she saw he picture printed on a decorated plate, written 'Sweet Memory in Langkawi'. Like it or not, she had to buy it at RM10. It seemed like a forced-purchase. Can we call this an 'ulat' too?
Posted by: NIzar at December 1, 2005 02:25 PM
I know we shouldn't be encouraging them but sometimes when there is a long queue, I sometimes take up on their offer - and they are cheaper.
Posted by: Adam at October 2, 2005 11:01 AM
Probably the income they received from one customer will cover more than enough of their cost per day. So it's sort of their perceived benefit. They think that the income they receive exceed the trade off time waiting.
dunno ....heh heh. Everyone has their comfort zone in earning the dough and not all able to adapt the change..Tat's what i think .
Posted by: viv at October 1, 2005 06:57 AM
I've taken em before, wasn't really expensive, about normal price of incoming cab.
Using the KLIA voucher system is slightly more expensive, but at least you can trust them.
Posted by: ShaolinTiger at September 29, 2005 05:42 PM
Hi there. Interesting blog you got here. Erm..bout these touts... I agree with you, they will never disappear... not unless somebody steps in and holds the law properly. something which our country is struggling frm sad to say.
Posted by: RJ at September 29, 2005 05:19 PM