Enough Already, Aensa/Aerotour did nothing Wrong
January 10th, 2009
Recently Costa Rica was struck by a pretty bad earthquake that measured ~6.5 on the Richter Scale. Many roads went to hell and a lot of people were pretty much trapped around Vara Blanca. Many tourists that were trapped contacted Aerotour to assist them getting away from the place. The company charged from $800-$1,700 to some tourists to take them to the airport where they they would head back home.
This has apparently been a hot topic for discussion in the twitter community that is following up the aftermath of the tragedy. Repulsed and disgusted, many have labeled Aerotour as a shame for Costa Rica for doing this. I beg to differ.
I understand the gravity of the situation, trust me. I feel awful for anyone who lost someone as part of this tragedy and I understand that together we stand, divided we fall. However, I don’t see why a private company that is trying to make a living, is expected to make these rescues for free. I don’t know in what world these people live in, but flying a helicopter here on Earth takes money, and I bet it is not petty change. As is always the case with angry mobs, everyone points, accuses and judges.
“Dude, but they are charging a lot more than they did before!”.
It’s called a supply and demand, basic economic principles. Furthermore, the conditions in the disaster area for flying a helicopter are way riskier than under other circumstances.
“Yeah, but this is an emergency, human lives, they should do it for free”
I’m pretty sure they will do it for free the moment you give a donation that matches what one of these helicopter trips costs. I don’t see you or any of the ones judging this company charter any kind of vehicle using their money or sacrificing their business to help people.
Judging this company for charging for what they do is as stupid as judging the people who plow the snow in the streets in the US when snowstorms strike. People have to make a living, and if there are people willing to pay the price, SO BE IT. No one is putting a gun to their heads to charter one of these overpriced helicopters.
I know this is crude, but that’s the world we live in. Wake up and smell the flowers.
Some of the points I brought here were enlightened by http://twitter.com/andreacello & http://twitter.com/rochecr
Image stolen from: http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs14/i/2007/055/f/a/Angry_Mob_by_Acwraith.jpg
January 10th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
En una tragedia como esta (y esto lo digo en serio–el país esta de duelo) todos nos ponemos demasiado susceptibles, personalmente me parte el alma ver tantos sufriendo por su gente y cosas perdidas. Pero creo que se especuló demasiado sobre el asunto, incluso yo había escuchado que cobraban 10KUSD… quien sabe y en realidad eso no me importó. Lo que si pensé es por qué diablos (sin importar el costo) no fue el gobierno quien acaparó todas estas compañías al precio que fuera!! De hecho cuando yo supe del asunto pensé: hmmm y estas compañías tampoco saben de negocio, pues si a mi me hubiera llamado un turista la respuesta hubiese sido que todo estaba agotado, pues 10 minutos antes le había ofrecido un paquete “muy económico” al gobierno.
Quienes juzgen a estas compañías no tienen la más mínima idea de cómo se mueve un negocio y el mundo en general. Todo tiene precio… digo será que cuando sufra de una emergencia y el Cima me cobre más de mil dólares saldrán todos a mi rescate y dirán qué gente más desalmada?!… no lo creo.
A esos llenos de tanto amor y corazon que critican a los desalmados, les digo que mejor usen esa energía para apoyar las necesidades no sólo de ahora sino las que se vienen cuando la alerta haya pasado. Cientos de personas quedarán sin casa y es una muy buena oportunidad para empujar a las empresas “desalmadas” para las que trabajan de decir que donen, digo… todo es deducible y a todos les encanta su momento de fama.
January 10th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Gracias por la referencia, a mi me parece que en cierta forma hay gente que le gustaría que del todo esos vehículos no estuvieran ahí para que no sacaran a nadie y todos sufrieran igual.
Sin embargo nadie ve o ignoran la utilidad de tener esas aeronaves sacando gente de ese infierno como dijo Andrea.
En mi blog también escribí unos comentarios adicionales.
Pura vida
January 10th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
@maria: Eso también pensé: porqué coños el gobierno no contrata a esta gente? Si el Ministerio de Emergencias no tenía los fondos (saber en qué “consultoría” los gastaron”), no hubiese sido posible que otros ministerios, como el el de Turismo, hubiese aportado algo? Digo, esta gente va a regresar a sus países y hablar pestes de CR, not good. Por otro lado, no entiendo que es el afán de defender al turista por precios altos, porque de ser que les importara, ya hubiesen hecho algo con el tipo de cambio que se les cobra a los gringos en el aeropuerto. Peor cogida que esa, creo que no hay, pero a todo el mundo le vale verga.
Completamente de acuerdo con tu 2ndo párrafo (con todo el reply en realidad
– business is business, y el que no entiende eso, se escuda detrás de un escudo de moralidad que desvanecerá el día que tengan que hacer un negocio en su vida. Es tán fácil para tanta gente actuar como el ciudadano perfecto que desborda en ética en situaciones como ésta. Pero no se trata de eso – se trata de ayudar sin importar lo que los demás hagan. Si el apoyo de estas personas es eclipsado y genera discordia en momentos donde la solidaridad es un punto clave, entonces mejor que no hagan ni mierda.
January 10th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
@roche: Tuanis. Lamentablemente sí creo que hay gente que piensa así. Une mentalidad bastante hijueputa IMHO.
Por si alguien quiere leer el post de roche: http://www.elteatrodelarisa.com/2009/01/helicopteros-voluntariado-interes-y.html
January 12th, 2009 at 6:23 am
Mae, no se, cuando veo por ejemplo la portada de Diario extra hoy lo que se me viene a la mente es una portada asi vende pero que hay detras de eso y que sentimientos o pensamientos genera? Trato de imaginarme como me sentiria si fuera mi familia la de la foto. Igual no estuve en el centro del problema, y no puedo decir si esas compañias hicieron bien o mal, lo que me pregunto es como me sentiria si eso me pasara a mi y que haria yo para ayudar, lo que hagan los demas me vale.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:21 am
@Ronny: Está caído la picha de sitio, no puedo ver la portada – la tiene en guardada en el cache or something?
January 12th, 2009 at 10:41 am
@grumpytico no la tengo mae – en la foto aparecen rescatistas y el cuerpo de 2 niños(todavia en la tierra) y en la descripcion dice algo como que los niños estaban abrazados a la mama
January 12th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
otro punto de vista: http://dycon.nacion.com/blogs/blog6.php/especulacion-y-desastres-naturales
January 12th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
@Ronny:
Grax por el artículo, esté certero y objetivo. Creo que esto resume todo:
“La pregunta que plantea el reportaje es si prohibir la especulación de precios durante los desastres naturales puede ser peor, porque no genera ningún incentivo para que los bienes y servicios lleguen oportunamente a la zona de desastre.”
Esto lo veo tan análogo con lo que es el seguro médico. Si uno está enfermo, puede esperarse a que por medio de la Caja lo atiendan de a gratis o puede pagar (sin que nadie le ponga una pistola) a una clínica privada para salvarse el pellejo si es algo crítico. Yo probablemente, si hubiese estado en un país ajeno, luego de un evento tan hijueputa como éste, hubiese felizmente pagado por largarme, y hubiese agradecido a los que brindan el servicio.
January 12th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
estoy de acuerdo con grumpytico… ahora, creo que basta de tanta hablada de mierda (con todo respeto, nada personal) y buscar dentro de nuestros propios medios económicos y sociales cómo ayudar prontamente.
lo más me da miedo de todo esto, es que me gane el trajín diario y en un mes se me olvide que todavía esa gente existe y sigue en las mismas condiciones cuando debe haber algo que yo pueda hacer.
January 12th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
The ICT spent $14 million last year on marketing… you’d think they could afford a few helicopters in the event of a deadly emergency. That would have been the best PR ever.
Nice blog.
The Tico blogosphere needs more of this.
January 13th, 2009 at 7:39 am
@pjk: Thanks for the comments!
I had no idea they spent that much on marketing (which somehow makes sense as we depend on tourism a lot). Nonetheless, it would have made perfect sense to get the money from anywhere – or like María mentions – cut a deal with Aensa. Just like you mentioned, it would have been awesome headlines:
“Costa Rican Tourism Committee charters emergency helicopters to rescue stranded tourists” :ninja:
(or something catchier, my marketing skills suck!)
Take care and thanks for stopping by!
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:17 am
I cannot believe anyone in their right mind would defend what they did.
Granted, they should not lose money. But to make money out of a tragedy? I know for a fact (I was there) how much the other companies were charging, it was $206 per person. That is the cost of one person in the helicopter. To charge up to $1700?? Outrageous.
Supply and demand principles should not apply in the midst of a tragedy when people’s lives and safety are in the middle.
I was there. I saw the people who could not afford to get away. I saw tourists pay the money to get themselves AND THEIR SUITCASES away to safety before other people. I was able to walk out, but many people did not have the condition to walk out.
Nothing can defend this. Sorry. And to the people up there saying that “business is business” there were two other companies at the hotel charging the $206 or around price. They were NOT taking advantage of the situation, they were not losing, and they were helping.
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
@OutragedWitness: First of all, I am really sorry that you were there at that time.
Personally (as I said before) I don’t know if Aensa charged 1K or 10K, that’s something that I don’t really care at all. What I do care (and was the main purpose of my previous reply) is why tourists and all victims in general had to call these companies to be rescued?.
The Government and the National Emergency Committee should be the ones monopolizing the demand of helicopters and all related services. That’s, I believe, was the main purpose of the post an all critics in general. The fact that this people had to find a way out by their self was wrong!! It demonstrates (once again) that CR is not prepared for these kind of situations.
Aensa made a decision based on business and demand. If we are going to massacre Aensa, we should do it to the rest of local and global companies as well, those that make money at other people’s suffering expense, such as private hospitals, medicine industries and why not, funeral services. And even better, we should raise our voice and criticize all the companies that cause the suffering such as the military industry.
This critic goes to the press too; I truly think that instead of spending money and time covering “Aensa’s mistake” they should be facing all government entities responsible for these types of emergencies.
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
@maria: So true! Private companies rip people ALL THE TIME.
For example, when I broke my wrist in Colorado while snowboarding, the lodge’s hospital bill came to be $3,500. Something that in Costa Rica would have been around ~$200… Yet you don’t see me bitching about the fact that a hospital made money of my tragedy.
Like maria says, @OutragedWitness, I am very sorry that you had to go through this, but the ones that should be whipped are the CNE. I hope that you share your experience with as many people as you can, because Costa Rica can not go on trying to sell itself as a tourist friendly country when it gives a shit about the lives of their tourists.
January 23rd, 2009 at 6:07 am
@maria, grumpytico, good discussion.
I agree with you that the government should have been in charge of the evacuation and hired the helicopter companies. In fact, at some point a rumor started circulating that the Tourism ministry was paying for the rides. Obviously, not true.
So yes, the CNE, ICT, and the government itself should have to explain themselves. But that doesn’t mean that what Aerotour did was right and that they shouldn’t get called out for it.
I also agree the US hospital system is also disgusting, and I don’t want to belittle your broken wrist, I’ve been frustrated to no end in US hospitals too, even charged $2500 for a 10min hospital visit, but you can’t compare it to a situation where you have dozens dead, more missing, you haven’t stopped feeling earthquakes and you see the roads are cracked, you’re hearing stuff falling all over the place and you don’t know if the land beneath you will give away soon or not. Many of us there could walk out, but my Mom wouldn’t have been able to, neither women with babies and small children.
My complaint is that given that they were already there, they could provide the service, they took advantage of people. Seriously, from $200 to $1700? It’s downright disgusting greed. Especially when you have people crying to get on and get out, and they’re going, nope sorry I have to get my suitcases out of here first, or no, sorry you don’t have enough money to get out of this situation.
There were two other companies there, charging the fair rates. Why should we not shame Aerotour for being so freaking greedy? That was not business and demand, pure greed and taking advantage of people’s desperation.
Another point, I think it showed how near-sighted these people can be. Do you think all these foreigners are going to want to come back to CR? They’re going to go back and tell ALL their friends and family, never go there, we were stuck in this horrible situation and were ripped off on top of it, like you said, we should blame CNE and ICT too, but that does not give a free pass to Aerotour.
Point is, there is too much greed everywhere, agreed, but IMO it does not justify their actions. You can’t say you’re not going to call out people on wrong behavior because everyone else does it too.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:55 am
@OutargedWitness:
Thanks for the comments, it’s nice to have a clean discussion here. Here is a something published by the GM of Aensa, worth a read (please let me know if you can’t read Spanish, I’ll gladly translate it for you):
http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2009/enero/23/opinion1849945.html
*or*
if you like reading half-assed English:
http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nacion.com%2Fln_ee%2F2009%2Fenero%2F23%2Fopinion1849945.html&lp=es_en&btnTrUrl=Translate
January 24th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
@grumpytico:
Yo también soy tica
Seguí la discusión en inglés para darle continuidad al post original.
Me alegra que el gerente haya aclarado lo que pasó. En mi caso, afirmé que estaban cobrando eso porque cuando mis primos se fueron (las mamás con sus bebés), se dio a entender que eso era lo que habían tenido que pagar.
Por eso junto con lo que escuché decir a la otra gente cuando todavía estábamos en La Paz y las notas de la nación, fue por lo que saqué mis conclusiones ahora claramente equivocadas. Disculpas públicas a Aensa por lo que les dije arriba.
Además también puedo ver que alguna gente sí pagara la tarifa del helicóptero completo para ellos solos y con sus malditas valijas, porque eso sí lo vi :s :s
Pero eso no es problema de Aensa.
Y como uds decían, sí hay más razón para reclamarle al gobierno si como dice en el artículo, tuvieron helicópteros disponibles sin hacer nada.
En fin, gracias por la discusión y por el link que aclara el problema.
January 24th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
@OutragedWitness: Heh…juré completamente que eras gringa, culpa tuyo por escribirlo tan bien
No sé si usas Twitter, pero mucho de estas especulaciones de los precios altos empezaron (al menos la primera vez que los vi) fue ahí. He oído que Aensa va a tomar acción legal contra aquellos medios que difundieron esta información, y espero que agarren a muchos “periodistas” en Twitter que hablaron mierda de esto hasta por las orejas.
Como dice mi madre, para hablar y comer pescado, hay que tener MUCHO cuidado
Gracias por escribir!
May 6th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Charge was the same as it would be on any other regular day.
Big helicopters cost big money to operate, smaller one less.
In fact, for fact, helicopter business is very hard to survive in, company bosses do not drive in Mercedes, and do not own million dollar mansions!
Trust me, I know. I am at the airport every day.