Jun 24, 2005 09:32 AM
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(Updated Jun 24, 2005 09:32 AM)
I feel really bad to write this on this tragic day - 23 Jun 05! Yup the 20th Anniversary of the Air India Kanishka Mishap over the Ireland waters! A terrible day to think of! My heartfelt condolensces to all the people who lost their loved ones amongst the 329 precious lives!
But then after having started this account now is the time I have found to babble here! So couldn't help it... That was my first travel through Air India. I have travelled through Lufthansa all the time. And it was the worst trip ever! And believe it or not! I was travelling to India to get married! Mar 11 2005: All started well when me and Fiance left Atlanta to board our Air India Flight out of Newark, NJ. We were so happy we were gonna meet our families for such a memorable occasion in life!
There was a huuuuuge queue at the Air India Counter, and the counter personnel took a leisurely 20-25 minutes per passenger...Though initially it was pretty amusing to see the way they were handling. it took us sometime to actually realize there was something wrong with these guys! And suddenly we saw passengers losing temper and asking lot of questions to the counter guys!
When we were near the counter, we realized the flight was 4 hours delayed, cos of the incoming flight. Infact the Air India Personnel were not even aware how delayed it would be. They kept telling the moment it arrives, we will board in 10 minutes! - An International Flight boarding in 10 minutes.
The worst part was my Waiting time for my connecting flight at Mumbai for Chennai was 3 hours, and obviously if the flight is delayed for 4 hours, I would miss it! But these supposedly smart Air India staff told me, we would still reach on time, there would be staff all along to take care and promptly arrange for your travel - which never ever happened!!
The most hilarious part was when I called up the Customer Service Number after getting fed up with the counter staff! Some Zeenath very casually said - ''Ma'am are you near in the airport? The Flight would have boarded by now!'' I almost fainted! How stupid and misleading! And it din't stop there!! I remember even while the flight was to land in Mumbai, one hostess told me ''I am sure they would have delayed the conencting flight because they know this is reaching a bit delayed! Our Ground Staff would be right there to help you!'' But that also never happened! I couldn't see a single person from Air India for help. And because of all this confusion, they had my immigration done right in Bbay!
I was to proceed to Chennai while my Fiance got down in Bbay. All stranded passengers were going beserk not knowing where to go! There were couple of American Couples too, but noone cared! Finally I managed to catch hold of someone, and they said I am put an Indian Airlines Flight to Chennai! And this old man wrote it down on an Air India Printed Paper, and gave me a receipt too! I took an Old uncle on my receipt too since he was lost. Once this was confirmed, I happily bid farewell to my fiance hoping all will go well now!
When I reached Indian Airlines Counter, we were told we never booked on the Flight, and the misery started again...Slowly I started collecting people. By the end of it, I had some 9 people with me in the same state! And these Irresponsible/Ruthless Air India people have made me run around the whole of Mumbai Airport - from Indian Airlines to Sahara to Jet Airways!!
Finally I had to literally plead stating I am getting married and they had to find some way for me to reach Chennai!! There was one nice gentleman of the whole Air India that helped me - I will surely trace his name and add here later - He was a Nepalese, I presume and his name was very unique! He was the one who helped us.
Amidst all confusions finally I was put on a Jet Airways Flight, for which he had to literally be behind the Jet Personnel! I was put on the only available seat on Business Class - but what was the use - by then I was trembling with hunger, tiredness, sleeplessness!
With all this running around, I couldn't call anyone to tell what was happening to me. Everyone assumed I was reaching Chennai by Indian Airlines. Me, the 9 others and the only Air India Gentleman alone know what happened! But when I reached Chennai finally it was heavenly to see the smile on my parents' faces. They were so worried wondering where I got lost...They literally checked every flight that came in! And ofcourse noone was there to answer/guide!! I was supposed to have reached at 5am, and found myself in Chennai at around 4-4.30pm!!
Air India has not only affected me, but affected my family too...I went to India for just 12 days for my wedding. And that little time was also eaten up by Air India only cos of its own stupidity and mismanagement/improper planning! I pity this supposed conglomerate!!
