Dream On !

SpiceJet: The spiciest one May 30, 2006

I was the last passenger to get on to the SpiceJet flight from Delhi to Hyderabad. As soon as I boarded the flight the lovely air hostess told the captain, “All on board”. The door behind me began to close. I stood there and was looking at the closing door. It was a different feeling and for a moment I thought I am in my charted plane all for myself and they are waiting for me to get on the flight. I stood there thinking when this dream will come true but suddenly the air hostess interrupted, “Sir, please take your seat”. While I was going towards my seat the plane began to move and I felt as if I have boarded a bus and not a plane. Talk about mood swings . Can’t they wait for me to be seated? I know the flight is late but still. Don’t know whom to blame for the delay: AAI for the poor infrastructure or SpiceJet ground staff who could have been a bit more enterprising in crowd control. The flight was full half an hour late.

It all began when I entered the airport. As usual I forgot to get my luggage screened and went straight to the ticketing counter for my boarding pass. This time I realized myself that I have to get my luggage screened before I can proceed any further. So I went back to get my luggage screened. When I have entered the airport there was no rush at the x-ray machine but now the line was as very long. I cursed myself.

After getting my luggage screened, I collected my boarding pass and more troubles started. There were close to 10 flights scheduled in the space of 1 hour i.e from 9 pm to 10 pm. And the rush at security check was unbelievable. I told to the fellow who was standing next to me that this looks like a railway station. He smiled and said that railway station is better but this seems to be a bus stand. And everybody around us laughed. The joke was not all that great but I guess everybody was looking for a small relief from the chaos around. The AC’s were not working and the kids were yelling on top of their voices. I know it is not the kids fault but these are instances which make me hate the Kids. I sincerely pray to god that he should make kids a bit more understanding.

The time is 9:10 pm and the flight is supposed to depart at 9:30 pm and I am still standing in the security check line. And there is no chance that I will make through it soon. I was cursing Praful Patel and everybody involved in airport modernization process for delaying it so much. Now I am going to miss my flight and who is going to pay for it. Mr. praful patel I am not going to vote for your govt. in the next election. Things got worse when I reached some 5 feet close to security check entrance – the police officer announced that the line in which I am standing is not legal and all the passengers should go back and come in line. I was like what the hell. Till now nobody said that this line iwaslegal or not legal and now he was saying that this was illegal. The gentleman standing in front of me and behind me couldn’t take it anymore and blasted the officer. A major confrontation began between the police officer and the public which resulted in the victory of us, the passengers.

Near the security gate I saw a big family who were flying Air Deccan to Mumbai. There were 3 adults and 5 kids in that group. One kid with them was carrying couple of bats. Police officer told him that he can not take it onboard and the little boy gave him a look that was so cute. (Some of the instances when I love kids). The kid’s dad was also not supporting the poor chap and was scolding him. Now the kid has hugged his bats very tight and won’t let anybody near him. I reasoned with the police officer what is wrong with the bats, he is not going to hijack the aeroplane with them. But he was very strict and refused to listen. In the end kid’s mother turned out to be the most enterprising of the lot and she got the bats checked in. The same family was carrying large bags as cabin luggage and again the security guy created a ruckus. Lots of other passengers were also carrying big bags as cabin luggage. All of them have to get their big luggage checked in which amounted to the flight delay. I think this could easily be avoided if the airline staff, while issuing the boarding pass, can check the cabin luggage of the passengers. This also showed that middle class passengers who are flying for first time do not much about the baggage regulations and airlines should do something to educate the customer who is flying for the first time. It is in their benefit as that will save time. Most importantly, the customer will also not feel harassed. The Indian aviation industry has a long way to go before they will be on par with their counterparts in the developed countries.

Well finally I made through the security check and reached the departure lounge. It was a complete mess there was a sea of people standing there and I was not able to see the gate of the spice jet for Hyderabad. They were flying couple of flights to other destinations and I don’t want to end up in the wrong flight.

Now I am seated in the flight and strong conditioning of cabin was very relaxing. The warm and the big smile from the spicy air hostess was the best part. Between did I tell you that Spice Jet got the spiciest air-hostesses. I have never seen such beautiful air hostess on any other India airliners – Jet Airways gals are beautiful but very formal. Their smile is kind of robotic like the one I give to my boss. Air Deccan air hostess don’t smile much and even if they smile it is like a smile that I gave to my aunt who is bent on getting me married. Air Sahara, Indian airlines girls smile like the one you give to any acquaintance. But the Spicejet girls smile is big and friendly. I don’t know but I have become full fida . So all you people out there if you want the most spicy experience at 37,000 feet above see level you know what to do .

PS: The post was written at 37,000 feet when I was enjoying all the spices .