Thoughts @ Amit Gupta is a blog by Amit Gupta on india, internet , mobile, marketing and life in general. » Airlines

One Night @ terminal

Amit Gupta — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:42:52 +0000

My fascination for the city Kolkata ended as soon as I found myself struck in an unusual Traffic jam to airport. A normal route of 30 min took me close to two hours. And for the first time in my life I missed the flight. Now that’s a bizarre feeling of helplessness. It took me another 30 mins to convince the duty manager that in all my good intention I never wanted to miss the flight. Fortunately I managed a ticket in the first flight out which was next day morning @ 7:00 AM

So I was there at the terminal (The first thought struck me was The Terminal, starrin g Tom Hanks) . But I thought it was only couple of hours before I could return back to my good old Delhi. I decided to catch some sleep at the lounge before airport start buzzing with travelers for the first flight @ 5:00 AM.

But, as the fate would have within 30 min there was tsunami of people who captured the terminal all geared up with stuff for night stay. There were people all around trying to capture every bit of space possible. I have never experienced this before; the airport looks like a railway platform. I had to move to a chair in corner for respite.

But this was only the beginning, best was yet to come. At around 2:00 Pm a airport official woke me up. I was just amused when I saw him equipped him with old age mosquito repellent which throws a lot of smoke. He practically filled the complete airport with heavy smoke to ensure a mosquito free airport.

I just managed to get a two-hour sleep before getting into my flight back. I am happy that my stay @ terminal got terminated after just one night.

Food @ 29000 ft

Amit Gupta — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:55:37 +0000

After a usual delay of 2 hours I took off to Kolkata (City of Joy). By now you would have realized how much I hate air travel. This time I am traveling Jet Air, which is one of the finest airlines. Thanks to web check in facility, I managed a first row seat in economy class (Advantage to spread your legs and relax a bit).

So I felt like being from upper middle class where all the middle class cramped in their seats. And like all upper middle class who are aspirant to become upper class (Business Class travelers) I wanted to feel the luxury they have.

And as the luck would have due to the wardrobe malfunction (Not the one at Fashion Ramp but the curtain diving the two sections in aircraft) the last row of Business class was straight in my line of sight. I envy the way they were pampered with choice of cuisine.

Though the food served to us was excellent but the pastures are always green on the other side. So, I dig into my breakfast thinking how soon I’ll be part of the upper class.

Indian Redifined

Amit Gupta — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 06:57:49 +0000

India has evolved and so does Indian. Hey, I am talking about Indian, the state owned domestic airlines. I was scheduled to fly today morning to Mumbai by 8:00AM flight. As expected the flight was delayed (Still waiting for the final departure time to be announced, As I am writing this at airport).

This has now become a standard and not the exception for all airlines to delay departures. But I was talking about something else.

I got an unexpected call at 5:45 in morning. This was from call center of the airlines announcing the delay of 1hr 45 Min. I was pleasantly surprised to hear from them (Not because flight is delayed because they saved me from waiting unnecessary at the airport lounge hearing announcements). But my team was not fortunate enough as all of them has already started from their respective places.

They but of course were cursing me as I met them at airport at 9:15. But these delays surely exhaust persons before they actually start the day. Fortunately we have planned for the delays and actually we are traveling A DAY IN ADVANCE for our presentation tomorrow

Waiting in the Wings

Amit Gupta — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 19:22:40 +0000

We humans always wanted to fly and rule the skies. Modern age has literally brought flying within the reach of common man. With India skies opening up there are airlines that are trying every trick in the book to lure the customers. Good we are flying places.

But on the flip side, airports have become crowded and the sky seems to be choked with the air traffic. Scenes at airports are no different from a railway stations. Long queues, delayed flights, frustrated passengers and airline staff carrying a plastic smile with no satisfactory answers to passenger’s query.

Flights are delayed because of weather, delayed in coming flights, air traffic congestion, security and what not. But at all time commuters are at the receiving end. At least traveling between Delhi – Mumbai, delayed has become part of the total travel time. Couldn’t recall when I have completed the journey in stipulated time duration.

Though fortunately there is up-gradation work going on at both the cities and Infact similar work is been done across airports in the country. I think, this inconvenience is a small price to be gear up and welcome the fliers from across world with open hands and let them feel the real new India.

As of now, Thankfully after waiting in the wings for close to an hour, I am cruising at more than 30000 ft above the sea at the speed of 800 Km /hr. Bon Voyage..

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