Well, Earlier I have commented adversely on so many occasions regarding Indian Airlines service, in Mouth Shut and elsewhere.
I thought I need to give a re-look at it under the situation I have recently come across.
Saturday, 10/3, early Morning I had to rush to Bhubaneswar from Bangalore on some urgent work.
There is no direct flt. on this sector by any of the Premier airlines. (Either it is via Hyderabad or Chennai.)
I tried Indian then, who fly from Bangalore -Bhubaneswar with a brief stoppover at Chennai.
Well the check-in, boarding was through and we were on time. ( I should agree Indian have got a previliged slot for take-off and landing and Parking etc. over other Private airlines)
The Aircraft was an age old Boeing, and the aged and yet caring hostess’s were struggling to close the Over head cabin. Too much of Noise during the flight. Still the take offs and landings all the four were smooth. We landed in Bhubaneswar just 15 minutes behind STA.
On Sunday, 11/3, I booked my return ticket for the same day, by Indian again, since the direct flight was over booked, I opted for the connecting flt. via Mumbai. (I.e. Bhubaneswar-Mumbai- Bangalore)
at much better fare than the direct.
Flt. was scheduled for dep. at 2.15 pm and arrival in Mumbai at 4.15pm and the Mumbai Bangalore flt. was at 5.30 pm. I had a Through Check-in and collected both the boarding Passes.
Bhubaneswar -Mumbai flt. was delayed due to the late arrival of aircraft. We took off at 3.20pm, and I was anticipating the missing of my connecting flt. However, we landed in Mumbai at 5.35pm, as we were about to disembark, an announcement was made, as " Passengers travelling to Bangalore are requested to contact the Ground staff immediately" I contacted a Lady Ground staff who told me the bangalore flt. IC 107 was waiting for me, and I need to rush to the aircraft immediately; I insisted about my checked in Baggage, then she asked me to identify, she took me to the otherside of the airplane where the baggages were about to be offloaded. It took at least 10 - 12 mins. for the baggages to be offloaded and I showed her my Through-check-in Baggage, by that time she might have contacted atleast 4 times with the other aircraft ground staff, and finally she gave up, saying Sir they are closing the doors. I looked at the watch. it was 5.50 pm. ( a pretty 20 mins. delay). I said ok, let them go. (For one passenger they need not wait for so long. there may be some passenger in that flt. who may in turn miss their connecting flt. from Bangalore.)
Then she called a Gypsy Van, arranged for my ferrying to the arrival launge. (By this time all the passengers and busses have left) and asked me to contact the IA Duty manager on the 2nd Floor, (Departure launge -1A) to be accomodated on the next flight.
I went to the Duty Manager, and before giving any narration, he said: Yes Mr. Joshi, Sorry for the inconvinience, your connecting flt. was delayed by 15 mins waiting for you, but we could not delay it further, and asked me whether I would be comfortable taking the next flt. IC-609 at 8/30 pm. I agreed. He was so polite and kind enough and requested me to go to Counter no-12(Check-in) and collect the New Boarding Pass. Then he arranged to issue a Snack coupen to be used at the Refreshment counter, and they also offered the IA Lounge for relaxing till 7/30 or so.
I was worried about my checked in baggage, he took care of that concern and instructed the cargo staff to load it on IC 609
I thought missing a connecting flt. and such a royal treatment . They have become professionals and they handle so many such cases daily. They are really good in crisis management.
I think we should give IA a try and feel the difference.!