About 4 to 5 years back one MP commented on status of domestic flyers in different airlines operating in the country.The MP opined a bit rudely as 'Cattle class' and that had made much uproar in all corners of the country. If this comment would have been made in present scenario then it would have been appreciated by other MPs and party members as the comparison would be with most sacred animal of the country where cess is being imposed in some part of the country for development and cost of maintenance of this quadruped.
My experience with domestic airline is different and worse then this. Since the MP gets at least some respect if not as a guest but definitely as a VIP as per culture of the country. But for an ordinary citizen like me ? Oh My My !! The experience is worst then animal, because animals are safe and treated affectionately by us, of course by curtsy of Ms Menoka Gandhi. .I bought a ticket before festival and paid an exorbitant fare of around Rs 20000/- for Bangalore to Chennai The airline declared me as a guest as per their norms and a guest is always expected to be greeted politely and with some amount of dignity.But my nightmare starts right from buying ticket. When I wanted to make payment of the fare online, a popup page appeared with extra Rs 200/- above all form taxes and insurance defined as convenience charges the reason for such charge is not defined properly. Then at entry point of departure gate. I had to show my certificate of identity issued by Government along with ticket or itinerary to the members of security personal stood at the gate.He compares my photograph with my face many times as if I am a convict trying to slip inside a security cordon.
Once I clear this, I rushed towards check-in counter where boarding card will be issued to me. The fare looking lady sat there probably trained by the airliner not to smile and be serious to so called guests. With a long face she outstretched her hand and I quickly handed over the copy of itinerary with my identity proof. and handed over the baggage for weighing. After verification of itinerary, the identity proof is returned to me and then she looked at me and with my utter surprise, she uttered that the baggage is overweight by three kilograms and I am to pay extra Rs900/- i e @ Rs300/- per kilogram. I requested politely(since she is lady) to adjust this extra kilogram with my cabin baggage since I do not have any cabin baggage other than my laptop and I am carrying many gift items for my family members for ensuing festival. But there is a say that judge moves but, not judgement. In this instant case judge did not move so also her judgement and I paid extra charges with a sigh of relief that whatever may be, at least I could checked in time. Now I moved hurriedly towards security check gate. There, we are minutely watched like domestic animals.Two uniformed man was repeatedly instructing to keep mobile and purse inside handbag. I wondered for those passengers who will not have a handbag.I felt if I could choose an attire of undergarments only and my mobile phone and purse had I put inside the check in baggage before checking in I could avoid this monotonous surveillance procedure. .All passengers are treated like pet animals although we are declared as guests.My butts were probed with vigilant fingers probably to confirm if I hide anything inside my rectum. It would even better if I could traveled in my birthday suit which I can not due to obvious reasons.I had to drop my harmless medicine thereat as it contained liquid more then 100 grams.
Then the ultimate moment came and I boarded the flight.The declaration of keeping the seat in upright position etc etc over and the flight taken off. After ten minutes the seat belt sign was off and I slanted my seat backward for a nap. Within five minutes four hostesses started distributing food against payment. I choose a non-vegetarian food that I am fond to eat. They started distributing in two groups one from front and other group from back. My unlucky seat was in 17th row and when those hostesses reached near me , I was told the food of my choice is finished and I may opt for a veg item on payment.Meanwhile the hostess instructed me to keep my seat in upright position again since I created inconvenience to the guest seated just behind me and he could not open his table top. So, I had to bring back my seat in upright position. I asked for a cup of coffee since I do not like tea. I was told tea or coffee is not served in flight where total journey period is less then an hour.
So, I again tried to have a short nap. But, suddenly I felt an urge to go for toilet. I got up and started moving towards restroom. But politely again I was refused by hostess that use of rest room is temporarily prohibited because we are going to land within a short time and I was instructed to go back to my seat and fasten the belt.
At last I disembarked at Chennai airport and after using the restroom at airport, I went to belt to collect my baggage. I waited for long along with others , but I did not find it on belt. I rushed to baggage claim section with my boarding card where proof of my baggage is pasted on reverse.At my utter dismay I was informed with a sorry face of ground staff that my baggage along with some more guests have been disembarked at Bangalore itself, as the flight was found overloaded of its permissible limit.They also requested me to bear the inconvenience with them and this will reach to me by earliest next flight. Thus, the person who bought ticket by paying rupees 3000/- only( booked about three months before)went out through exit gate happily with his all luggage and despite spending huge money for ticket and other charges my luggage reached to me next day i e after the 'Dipabali' night.
That is the treatment almost all passengers get in domestic flight daily but they prefer to forget and keep silent.
Readers, are we guest or domestic animals?
