Matured: Adj. having attained the normal peak of natural growth and development ... I think this describes the airlines in totality. It has been around for quite some time and for most of this period it has operated in a Monopoly environment, but after the Private players came of age, if we look camparitively it has reached its peak of development and growth. If you look at the airlines it has sem all from small aircrafts to large Jumbo’s from monopoly to competition and its time to bear fruit.
My Experiences: I have travelled Indian Airlines but it has never been out of choice, if I dont a seat on Sahara or it doen not fly to a particulat destination or the timings... these three factors have made me fly Indian Airlines.. but somehow I have never managed to Fly Jet that often. They have one of the best infrastructure amongst all the three airlines thought ther buses leave a lot to be desired and their staff do not look so young and fresh they do take decent care of you.
The major problem that I have faced is the attitude of their cabin crew, but that too is improving and over the last few years they have started to listen to the requests and try and give you a reasonable answer and sometime also apologise for non availability of Newspapers and food sometimes..... More often than not you do not find the flight crew very warm like Sahara and you do not feel like approaching them for anyhting extra. Where as the other airlines try to sopil you and really take good care of you. The older employees do have their attitudes of the monopoly era, the younger lot actually try and accomodate. I had asked for the juice to be served at room temperature and it actually happened, so the trick is that you look out for the younger lot(if any) and the chances are that you will be well taken care of. On the very next flight refreshment was served late and it being a shorter flight the tray was snached as she does not want to come again and by the time they finished collecting the food tray the plane was decending into the city.
At bombay terminal I tried to get a frequently flier form and got two different responses.. I think the airlines has two faces.. one of a old lady not willing to change and the other of a young lady trying to change despite a lot of presures to get into the mould.
Ground Staff: Surprisingly the ground staff has really changed and is very accomodative and curtious and I think after handling passengers longer than any other airlines they are more experienced in handling SITUATIONS..... I am sure the people struggling with fog these days will beg to disagree but I am talking about the overall average. The Way Ahead: As a customer I feel they have the largest network and infrs.. so it should decide on the face they wish to present to the public and I do not see a reason that people will not flock back to this tried and tested airlines.. another case for privatising the airlines...
Happy Flying and safe landings!!!!