FLY...with our Train :-). Review on Simplifly Deccan

Back again ... this time to share some experiences of my flight with the one and only – Air Deccan.

This is the story about a flight from Delhi to Pune. A flight which had to start at 1.45pm sharp. But, ahem..well… cough…due to some really mind boggling reasons it couldn’t start on time.

Date:- 16 Dec 2005,

Venue – I.G Airport –Terminal 1B,

Host – Air Deccan

Time – 1345hrs – Departure

I was there by 1230hrs for all procedures…

Baggage Security Clearance – Time 1245hrs

Ticket counter Clearance – Time 1250hrs

Hand Bag Scanning – Time 1255hrs

Security Frisking – Time 1300hrs

Final step in lobby –Time 1305hrs

Announcement 1- ''Call for Air Sahara Flight.. People running to the gates for final go. I sighed and found a place at last to sit.''

Announcement 2- “Kind attention all Air Deccan (Flight 670) Passengers. We regret to inform all passengers that the flight 670 has been delayed by another 30 mins. (Means flight has to move by 1415hrs.) This is due to late arrival of flight from Srinagar. Air Deccan regrets the inconvenience to all its passengers” Time – 1315hrs. Strange look on everyone’s face. Everyone is rather “?????”

A mad rush at the gate 1 follows at the airport with all Air Deccan (AD)passengers having a glimpse of the AD coach arrival. No announcement, no information sharing.. Time 1400hrs

Announcement 3 – “Call for all AD passengers. This is a call for all AD Mumbai passengers. ( Pune passengers are again “??????????????????????????????????????”. Pls proceed to gate no1 for final exit”. Time 1405hrs

Now this is because Ad have a neck to neck flight for Mumbai after the Pune flight.

Someone yelled ”Kashala airline chalato re, mala doka firleya…me sakali tar wait kartos” ( What the hell the airline is for,.. My head is spinning wild, I am gonna go otta my mind now… Iam waiting from morning here..{probably an early checking from hotel}

Finally the announcement we are looking for

Announcement 4 – “Call for all AD passengers. This is a call for all AD Pune passengers. Pls proceed to gate no1 for final exit”. sometime later… you can also use gate no2 for final checking… Many are confused to which gate they shall actually run… Anyways… here are we in the flight… Time 1420hrs

Everyone is getting seated…suddenly I found something broken… the seat hand rest is broken… Hostess is near “Excuse me this is broken. Can you pls get this in notice?” She looked at it… tried to check it if it will really fall off… gave a smile and said nothing… making a “jaane do” gesture with her hands and to my amazement…..walked away !!!!!?????? Time 1430hrs

Flight started …engines roared…something in my ears said… some things strange!! Engine roar is something diff...Like its going to detach from flight and go fly independently. With a scared and a raised heartbeat I finally it moved. Time 1435hrs

Flight took off – Time 1500 hrs

The hawk-ing continued.. Strange fligt attendants and hostesses…(no hard feelings)

Flight landed - Time 1705hrs

Actual time to start – 1345hrs

Actual time to reach – 1545hrs

Results – My appointments cancelled, one order delayed and I am still doing round trips of client to give me the order… How can he, his boss was flying that evening..and he was gone…:-(

Moral of the story – If you want to fly on a cow with its own will…Fly with Air Deccan… If you wish to have refreshments. have the guts to position yourself below the belly and try to milk it..

Another Moral – Fly with our Train…you know what I mean.. :-)