Nice going, Air Jamaica. Blow the unpaid placement

// May 11th, 2005 //

I admit it. I’ve been watching the Amazing Race. I’ve been particularly interested in the inadvertent product placements – the giant roadside hoarding in Argentina, the cigarette ad powerwall in an Indian corner store.

Well, Air Jamaica blew their placement last night. In every past episode, the contestants have arrived at the international airport, begging and pleading to be put on the earliest possible flight. And airline staff have been friendly and accomodating, even holding planes and reopening gates.

Yesterday, the three teams met their match at the Montego Bay Air Jamaica counter. Helmet hair, pressed suit and unsmiling face – Air Jamaica’s check-in supervisor steadfastly denied seats were available on any earlier flight.

A stark comparison to their past experiences while zipping through airports, Air Jamaica managed to come across as cold, unsympathetic and inflexible.

Not a great performance – and it was put in horrible contrast by the affable American Airlines staff in Montego Bay. They made sure the contestants were on a much earlier flight, even holding up the flight.

I just had a thought – what if they KNEW the contestants were coming through?

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