LIAT has issued a response to Sir Richard Branson, a week after the Caribbean airline rose to international notoriety when Branson tweeted a complaint letter about the carrier.
The company released a pair of videos on Monday, with one addressing the complaint and the other specifically addressing Branson.
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All of you have noted the face of the CEO on theprevious article. I did not comment about him but thought he looked haggard, tired and worn out. He looked like he lacked sleep.
I also wonder how godly he is. These matters project unto faces, as the face is a mirror of the heart which reflects it and what is imbedded in it.
I do think that Branson wrote in a humorous manner though sarcastic. I wonder what part of the world he originated from. His writing sounds like someone from the US, Canada or Europe. If only I knew.
If I experienced a problem with LIAT, I would not be that diplomatic with LIAT. Of course, I would not utilize swear language but I would write in no uncertain terms.
It is high time that LIAT improve its service. What is preventing it from doing so? Why is LIAT always slow and slow in arriving and departing?
I once traveled with Caribbean Airlines from Dominica to Antigua, in transit to Canada. Caribbean Airline provided excellent service. I complimented the air hostess before landing in Antigua.
This airline had few passengers. This was not the reason the service was excellent. They are well-trained staff. The air hostess smile was so natural and she was friendly.
In addition, we had a choice of juice or other soft drink. I traveled a few times with LIAT and never once was offered a drink.
When I arrived in Canada I informed someone about this airline and how pleasant the air hostess was. I was informed LIAT got most of the business.
If I owned a travel agency I would ensure that this airline got the majority of passengers. Their service was excellent.
When excellent service is provided we must always ensure that we inform the enterprise about it. They do like to hear from satisfied passengers/customers/clients. Too often when the service is bad, it is the only time they may hear from them.
All the same Branson did the right thing which produced a response specifically on this Website.
I hope LIAT executives read them and learn something from them, about the views of readers.
Has that woman in the video been fired yet? What is the challenge? Necker Island does not have an airport so how will LIAT compete in this race? At no time did she address the complaint and the list goes on.
So much for the lady and her hair. The hair is different, but the style should be somewhat subdued and a little less flashy. It’s Black hair, but it detracted from the message. Nothing bad with a Black woman sporting her hairdo, but it has to be within context, and I think LIAT’s message got drowned with the hair-visual.
Now on to LIAT’s response: The fact that LIAT took the time to respond to this tweet took away from the stature of LIAT – the Caribbean Airline. They should be bigger than that. They should let the regular folks out there do the social marketing for them. It demeans LIAT to engage in this pettiness. And so LIAT should have done best to focus on what it does best – serve the Caribbean. Even with all the complaints, I think LIAT (with all our support) has the potential to the best regional airline in the world. But we need to let them know when they do well, not just complain when our bags don’t get there. We too often take their great safety record for granted… praise them some more and that may just inspire them to do more for their customers. We Caribbean folks too often support the outsiders, for lack of understanding the pains and challenges facing emerging leaders… like LIAT. Yes, they misplace alot of bags, but recommend solutions and thank their impeccable safety record for making them one of the safest in the world! Don’t get me wrong, LIAT has alot of work to do…because Caribbean institutions/businesses do take their own people for granted. But together, we can take pride in knowing that LIAT is home-grown – as is dedicated to serving the Caribbean. Afterall, they have nowhere else to go… so they will be there for the long flight!
hey liat if you looking for a new person to defend your honor ..check me ..i can speak many languages most and formost the peoples language..am sure i wont let you down ..lmao and i can guarantee you a proper degree .
What does her hair and LIAT have in common….THEY’RE BOTH A MESS!!
This was a Public Relations disaster! That woman should be fired immediately. They were a week too late with their response. Secondly, she did not pin point any specifics that would help solve the problems that were stated in the original letter.
A freaking disaster.
This is supposed to be the Chief Commercial Officer of Liat folks! Still wonder why their efficiency is what it is? How did she ever get that job?
Hi what is the fuss all about. Everyone knows LlAT could not give a fig about public relations or customer care. After my experiences with them I would rather go by canoe than pay them money to be insulted by their ground staff
Everyday am getting more and more sick of Liat. Is this woman Commercial Manager? She was very unprofessional, infact one shouldnot be surprised
just watch her hair style, looking so wild and unruly. She is not even well dressed with a sleeveless? What about a coat on it. Why is she so upset with Branson, he was not the complainer just passing it on for everyone to see.
Tell Ms Rudder good management would just let that lie low,donot respond and have some positive advertisement on Liat. By the way is she qualified for that position? I would really like to know awaiting your response Liat.
Oh my God!!!!!!!!! I was wondering when her hairdo was going to be a major upset for someone!!! Wowwwwwwww..! And her arms were going to be of major concern. Is the emphasis not to be on if an appropriate response has been made with regard to the report made by the alleged customer on his /her problem with the Caribbean airline called (LIAT)Leeward Islands Air Transport which is owned and operated by West Indians?
Liat must thank Richard Branson because without him they would go bust overnight. Secondly he alone is bigger than liat. Thirdly, they cannot defend their actions anyway so they have to say thanks. however, Had it been me that created such an embarrassment to them, by posting a letter that went viral, they would have probably tried to sue me. I HATE LIAT
Very disappointing Leesa…..You response was very childish my guess is LIAT must have realised just how distastful this was hence the Video now being made “private”. Please Sir Richard now that you have seen the plight of us here in the caribbean with Leave Island Any Time, Can you now please sir bless us with Virgin Caribbean???
We black people are still dysfunctional,we are still tarnished by the slavery venom. Branson is a slave master son , why are we allowing these white boys to have they way our in our lives. What’s up with the hair , be yourself, stop enslaving yourself
id10t !
you stupid person. Have your head examined!
What has that got to do with running an airline? Were you not born a free man , like mr. Branson? Act like one!!
OMG!!!
Where is LIAT’s publicist???
Am sitting here almost covering my eyes. this is so shameful.
Y would Liat even think of doing something like this, people laugh @ Caribbean people so much already,they’re adding coal to the flame.
Seriously LIAT???
“We continue to move his customers” is she kidding. Passengers flying LIAT are LIAT’s customers irrespective of where yhe passengers come from
am not going to comment on her hair that’s her style but when she said that Liat’s pilots were great and that we should try a Dominica landing with them, i was like huh… what are you saying, we have a dangerous landing or bad airport.. wish she could explain.
Epic Fail! And YES, her hair is a hot mess, I said it. And yes, it is not even her hair you people jumping up and down about natural hair… DUH, these are kinky extensions.
Anyway, back to the topic, LIAT. This woman has brought LIAT into disrepute, something I thought was not even possible. I have a suggestion, how about Management Fire her, and divide her job in 2, since she Obviously can’t manage both Commercial Operations and Public Relations in the same portfolio. And consider paying each of the new Directors 30% of her current salary. Cause this is just BS for people to be travelling on an airline with such horrible Management. This is where Skerrit put my 8 million? Like Seriously???? Even Skerrit would not say something so senseless and tasteless
Why this long comment ? and why put Skerrit in it ?
liat should have never responded,take this criticism
and improve their product. we all know it wasn’t a constructive one coming from bronson but they could have turned it into something good, for him this is all marketing and they played right into his hands.
We can’t find any complaint letters??????????????
Probably they’re in the same place all the disappearing luggage goes.
Liat need to go suck it in and apologies to the customer Richard Branson.. they want to be wrong and strong… Stuppessssss!!!!! i pray i do not ever have to fly with this airline stupppesss
here’s the challenge video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sop3zbotucs
and here’s the detailed response – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXczAp4x-aQ
Other people had to post it back up because LIAT took their down after receiving so many negative comments. That CCO clearly failed at her job miserably
Well post it nuh DNO…
So basically we are known for having a tough landing! And yes that hairdo was very distracting and wild!
How dumb Can u you be an still breathe. The letter was written by a dissatisfied customer and Branson Tweeted it and liat is making it about Branson. What a bunch of DUMB. Take the pub n move on.
Did lady say LIAT takes the issue of lost bags seriously? She obviously talking in jest and has not had her bag lost on a LIAT flight.
This happened to me a few years ago and after several phone calls where the staff bounced me between several people who were either unable or unwilling to help and numerous unanswered emails, I finally gave up, never to see the bag again.
They are a vital regional link, but must rank near the bottom in customer service. They are by far the worst airline I have flown with.
It’s all about the hair huh??? How ridiculous! Is that truly your greatest concern “hair”; and does it have ANY relevance at all to this news item? My Gosh! Some PEOPLE!!!!!
Liat representative should not respond in that manner. That is unprofessional and putting the airline in further trouble. She should go home!
Do something about your hair !!!!!!!
An insignificant fly on the wall trying to dodge some bagon too late liat. Tooo damn late. Take that!
This just goes to show how incomptent LIAT is… All I can do is shake my head!!! Instead of focusing on the issues at present, they’d rather focus their attention to Sir Branson who I can assure you is one of the smartest business men out there. Virgin Atlantic is consistent and always on time and they are true to their mission statement! I don’t work for Virgin but it has always been my preferred airline to travel with.
This video is hideous.
LIAT is the “Caribbean Airlines”, representing the Caribbean. It is bad enough that they give us horrible service on a day to day basis, and through their airfares which are sky-high they are directly suppressing Caribbean integration…..something they are supposed to be a catalyst for.n But to add icing to the cake, you choose to make us, Caribbean people look incredibly stupid through this mess of response?!
I am glad you have showcased what poor customer service you have to the rest of the world, so EVERYONE will know what we have been dealing with.
Liat what you should have done is issue a letter of apology to the businessman who wrote this letter in the first place. Instead you choose to act incredibly ghetto and childish and lash out at someone who aired out your dirty laundry. Well through this video you have made yourself laughable to a reputable businessman and to the rest of the world.
Lets be honesttttttt….what the businessman described in the letter is anything but far-fetched..and for anyone who has traveled on LIAT..we know it is true!
That being said..Comparing LIAT to Virgin Atlantic? Are you kidding me? What planet are on? The rest of us are back here on earth!
It is such a poor response. They made a joke of the passengers situation. Clearly sarcasm is lost on LIAT! Liat has always been regarded as a terrible airline and they seem to not take it seriously. Lack of competition does this. People complain about airfares in the caribbean all the time but i dont mind spending maybe a little more for top tier service
seriously her hair is whAT ERKS you? wow
The response video’s were totally unnecessary. Best way to respond was by just improving your level of service to where it’s supposed to be! Those video’s just make Caribbean people appear to the world like a bunch of total retards.
With these type of people in the decision making process it’s no surprise that Liat is in the economic state it’s in. Totally embarrassing!
I expect bettee from liat, that’s a shame!
Liat would be better better advised to concentrate on improving their service rather than engage in a derisory and pathetic tit-for-tat with Virgin. There is no Liat ticket- or customer service desk at Melville Hall airport for instance, only a check-in facility, which is not always manned. When one tries to contact their office in Antigua and is finally patched through to and “agent” (..I really hate these American euphemisms)it is not unusual for the phone to be put down. They must learn that they are there to serve their customers and not treat them as a nuisance, to be tolerated at best.
That is Liat’s response??? My God!! The entire Management team or whoever approved this response should be fired! That’s a response to a genuine complaint by a rich customer who owns an island! Much less for the common everyday traveller. We are in serious trouble people. Liat does not care two hoots!!
Liat your response is tasteless rubbish…instead of just saying: yes man we are s### but we can do better..you are putting this online
Fire your media and PR people as they are dumb bozos and hire somebody with brains..
Seriously, LIAT are you sure you want to take on Richard Branson? I do not think so.
Hmmmm…so LIAT took the time to respond to Branson and the Brit in real quick time eh. But for more than 4 decades they have refused to respond to the constant grievances of poor malaway West Indian customers. Our voices don’t deserve a video too? Malgre sa!
here’s the challenge video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sop3zbotucs
and here’s the detailed response – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXczAp4x-aQ
Other people had to post it back up because LIAT took their down after receiving so many negative comments. That CCO clearly failed at her job miserably
She also failed at her personal representation. I bet that LIAT higher up, her boss had a good talk with her. She is not well-trained for her position. If you work in human resources as I do, you will have reason to be critical of her and her mode of attire including how she wore her hair to represent her employer, LIAT.
In addition, it appears that her boss did not double-check her script prior to making a video for distribution which many read worldwide. Did they? If so it was thought that it was appropriate.
Generally, prior to going on air or making a video someone in authority proofreads the script and makes appropriate correction if necessary. This is also to ensure that it will not cause an embarrassment to the company as it could cost the enterprise money and loss of business.
I suppose with LIAT they will never experience a loss of business for Caribbean travelers including tourists who travel to countries as Dominica which do not have an international airport and must travel via LIAT.
I have an Antiguan friend who has a travel agency. No doubt she ensures that LIAT gets primary consideration for her business. She, too, gets additional business and financial compensation.
Liat just have no shame
The video “LIAT responds to Richard Branson” is also on YouTube.
Leesa Parris-Rudder, LIAT’s director for commercial and customer experience, needs to pay the hair salon a visit. Seems she hasn’t been there in a loooooooong while, and her hairstyle shows it.
LIAT has a lot to work on. The airline continues to provide poor service to its customers and escapes with one silly excuse after another. Instead of spending time on this silly video the lady should have explained how they are working on improving service.
That is actually a retarded response. It shows that Liat is in a league of preschoolers. Why bother with it. It is so easy for Branson to respond with a fleet of red Dash-8 in the Caribbean. This just reminds of when I am flying and looking down at the cars how minute they look. That is LIAT to Virgin. Everyone knows that LIAT service sucks, everyone knows that Branson was being nice and just had a nice laugh of the horrible service that Caribbean people have been receiving for many years. If you don’t want to receive the negative popularity then do better.
Now we understand where liat monies are being spend. To make a tasteless video like that one to answer Mr. Branson in, I think a very unprofessional way does not deal with the problem at hand. There are many more complaints that have been coming over the desk of liat but they are still not improving.
To make things worse we have a Director of the company spening her time doing that. Shows where the marketing and new positioning is going. trying to RIDE WAVES.
Good luck liat.
Stop hating LIAT, some of you just think and see negative when you hear LIAT. Branson is an unkept guy to be the owner of Virgin or because he is white we let him off?
In the Dominican professional society people growing locks you see them everywhere in offices etc.
Leave LIAT alone and go take a look in the mirror.
Liat response is very tasteless
I agree. This happens when they are ashamed and are not able to defend their enterprise. They beat around the bush, saying nothing of consequence and to satisfy customers. It makes them a big joker.
The first thing a person sees about her is her hair. She obviously thinks that she is looking great. 
What made it worst, note her hair.
If you see her in public you would never think that she holds such a position. People/strangers tend to respect or have more respect for those who appear well-groomed. Proper grooming should not change with the times. LIAT superiors should not allow her on camera.
This person is a director? I was not impressed by her hair-do. Modern times and fashion we say, anything goes these days. How times have changed, not always for the better. She has a prominent position. A person of her status, she should keep her hair better groomed. It may be a fashion and her preference. However, for one in her position she should groom her hair better than she presently has it. She is properly dressed but her hair does not look neat and sophisticated at all for one in this position. Ones outfit and hair should complement the other. Surely she should know better. What type of example is she to her subordinates and other employees? Her hair looks like it is ready to fly out of her head.
For a LIAT employee and executive, it is disappointing to note this. She is fortunate that Richard Branson did not see her. I wonder what would he have said about her.
Wow, a whole story about her hair in almost every sentence! LOL
Can you not see what she looks like? Her hair makes her look unkempt. If someone as that approaches you for a job, in your heart, would you employ her?
When she applied for a job at LIAT she may have presented herself well-groomed so that she would be employed. However, after that she probably never cared less.
There are some employees who do just that. Once they obtain the position they do not take pride in keeping themselves well-groomed. There is no doubt this occurs world-wide. It is not contained to one person and one country.
I do feel that office workers and others who serve the public, people in such a position as she is and those employed in customer service, should be careful about the manner in which they dress and keep their hair. This tells a lot about them, one way or the other.
Frankly, if I had to meet with this women for an appointment, seeing her hair like that, putting it mildly, it would not impress me. Generally, their grooming represents their deportment.
If people know about these things, even though they are not employed in those areas, they should appreciate seeing a well-groomed person for this person represents her employer, as LIAT. In previous years, someone like that would not be representing their cooperation. You bet, their superior would address the issue to them and request that they present themselves appropriately.
So what has happened to LIAT these days? Has it gone down the drain? It was not like this in former years when its employees were well-groomed. Every generation is different but this does not mean that they should disregard the manner in which they should dress appropriately.
Who said she ever had to apply for that job? That could be symptomatic of the company’s problems. Who knows?
You are always moaning, groaning and complaining about something or the other. When you become old we are screwed. That is fouchette.
So all that pressure when a black woman decide to wear her natural hair in the way it grows out of her scalp? She is not white surely you can appreciate that her natural hair will not be sleek hanging down past her shoulder or looking like those white ladies on CNN. We as black people are so full of self hate and we don’t even realize it. You always preaching the bible and talking about God, hasn’t this woman also been fearfully and wonderfully made? Therefore you shouldn’t judge or insult her when she chooses to wear her NATURAL HAIR in the manner our CREATOR FASHIONED IT. Repent from your silly comment.
I see no problem with someone keeping their hair natural. Most women who do, have a high level of self-confidence.
Well J&T, I sense your addiction to horse hairs, synthetic hair simulation and Asian hair sewn into your head. What a shame. Kankalon anyone??*/@#?
justice and truth…..I see alot of money in that hairstyle eh! So what do you say about Don King and Sir Dwight Venner??? why should her looks be important to you when she herself don’t even worry about it. I guess the both of you have a bone to pick!! Remember that incident between you and her right? It was certainly a great laugh!
Let me guess her hair needs to be relaxed and sleeked back, gelled down. It needs to meet your perception of beauty. the hair that God gave us is undesirable and we need to change it. Right?
Well I was impressed with her hair. Its time that black women regardless of their position reclaim their hair.
Rock On Black Women
What happen? you do not like black hair? are you one of the brothers who can’t stand natural hair? Leave her hair alone at least she embraced her color and the type of hair we as black women have. totally racist comment!
Her hair is natural. You would prefer for her to fake it up with HIB (Hair I Buy)?
You are discussing the director’s hair????????????????????
Seriously? Out of the whole story you only saw her hair. In any event that is how we proud and strong black African women wear our hair. We do not conform to how the “white man” think our hair should be. Black Pride
I agree about the hair. To the people saying that it is natural hair so people should not comment about it…u have serious problem. So because i am black and proud and support black heair….i should accept this hairdo as professional This is totally unprofessional. and if being ‘black’ means wearing my hair like this in a corporate environment, then i guess i am not black. We accept anything and say.’is so we is’. This lady could comb her hair appropriately…this is a casual hairstyle that should never be worn with a suit…..
how low…Crawled from under some rock lately?*/’?
Maybe she is reflecting what LIAT is all about, Don’t see, Don’t hear, Don’t care!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have traveled with LIAT and even though they are late, not once their employees were rude to me. I always received courteous treatment. It is how you treat people including how you dress when traveling. I need not elaborate on this. If you have sense you will comprehend what I stated.
In fact I knew a few pilots who worked with LIAT. I love dealing with dignified people who respect others. If today LIAT’s employees are not customer-oriented and offer likewise service, it is the new era we reside in of such people.
Today, customer service is not as it was in those days. It appears that employees work solely for the money and not to please their employer who pays them and customers who pay for their service and expect courteous service for expensive goods and expensive airline costs. No exception those who comment on this Website who have no respect for others. Younger people are not as courteous as older ones.
Actually, I was discreet in my writing. This LIAT’s employee looks like someone from Mars, one who is ready for a war as those African war-lords and tribes who do not know anything about how to dress and according to the proper manner in the western world.
I will keep on commenting/responding for some of you cannot write and spell properly as you have depicted, who do not know the difference in right from wrong, godliness and ungodliness, morality and immorality. You do not appreciate good writing and spelling. So who are you anyway?
You have shown your true colors pertaining to your very own words on this Website. Go head and give thumbs down. It makes no difference. May the truth always prevail.
Too bad for those of you who did not appreciate criticism and constructive ones. You are hypocritical. This is where you are unfair. You can criticize others even about their religion, their religious beliefs and practices but you do not want them to voice their opinion be it in writing.
Anyway, I was not referring to you. Unless the truth offends since you may dress as she does. Thank God I do not know you and hope I never will. Birds of a feather flock together.
I know what good grooming is and how to conduct myself. I also know to stand up for the truth. This woman does not represent LIAT appropriately and as an executive I would term her. A person like that should not even hold such a position. She is a disgrace to LIAT and her position.
I hope LIAT, higher up executives read these comments. I should send a copy to them. In fact, a copy of what I wrote. They would be shocked at what they read. She could even be demoted or fired or never be given the position of representing LIAT on camera.
I am not blind. This is the way she presented herself and represented her employer, LIAT. This is the first thing I saw about her. This is the way I saw her picture. I am not wrong in what I stated. She is not a welcome face on camera.
I know some people – Antiguans who were and are still employed with LIAT. They do not dress like that. They are better groomed which reflects their upbringing, dignity, class and demoted. LIAT never had such an employee who looked like that. Times have changed.