I was on the lookout for a cheapest option between Mumbai and Chennai – with couple of combinations that I wanted to go in the morning and back to the city right in the evening so as not to loose my shift and mark a day off unnecessarily. Since I was going for an exit interview – obviously my employer was not paying for the fare and I had to compromise on quality of flying this time otherwise our official carrier is still Jet Airways which undoubtedly still is one of the best in the Indian Sky.
So many to choose so less to settle for: I was surprised to see so many airlines yet so less to and fro flights on the same day, either they were too much stretched apart, or they had one leaving in the evening to Chennai and coming back next day, or they were too close to each other and the time gap was so little that I couldn’t even reach our office, forget about wasting time with those cuties for the one last time and over the one last lunch – I was going for. Some airlines were not worth taking the risk for last moment issues.
As many airlines as many are the websites offering us better and better option, but one research on the net led to another and I finally realized for the Nth time that its always best to go thru the original airlines website than going thru some cha-cha’s or kaka’s or those fake trips dot coms, as trust me when I say so – they are charging more than 75/- to 500/- odd bucks than the original airline is offering on their own portal which may not be that jazzy and eye pleasing but surely they are pocket pleasing.
Now coming to Indian Airlines website – it looks exactly like a truly dedicated Govt Company. No Advertisements, No links taking u anywhere than their own site, just plain simple search and book stuff, you can’t even go back on dates, and even if you want to – than their secure server will keep on pinging you to click on that “yes” or “no” sign again and again. That’s one problem which annoyed me like anything. So you got to go back to the home page if you want to check for the next day or earlier days rates. One thing IA shud work on. Rest it’s a breeze, check the rates and availability, click on “book”, pay by Credit Card or online banking and you are good to go. One more thing – they don’t send etickets on your email id if you are a registered member – so you can take a print anywhere by logging to their website.
Mumbai airport is really on a rampage these days to lift its sagging face and the way they are doing the work – I am sure it will soon be one of the best we have in India. But that leaves the travelers on their own to find out where to go for which airlines - as they have divided all the airlines in two categories like Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes – now decide on your own - which category do you fall in as one belongs to KingFisher, Indian Airlines & Jet Airways and the other belongs to Spice, Deccan, Indigo & Go air. It literally took me half an hour to know where should I go to board the flight. Thanks to the Auto Rick guy who came to my rescue and took 10/- bucks to drop me to a point where I needed to go. The original auto I took from home left me at a point beyond which he and me both had no idea where to go for departures. As I was walking on the side walk, two families in cars too asked me for direction and got my hunched shoulder and raised hands with a smile “I too am looking for the same” reply.
Once I found the departure - everything was cool and clear, simple check in, an uncle sitting on the counter – was working over time as it was early morning – I said “Good Morning” and he was all smiles to me – it doesn’t take anything after all to wish an elderly gentleman - as per me – gave him the print out and my good morning made him not to ask me for my driving license – LOL. He gave me window seat too without asking. I was all smiles when he said it loud “Window seat for u? OK”.
I was surprised to board an AC Volvo kindda bus for Indian Airlines which was so chilled out that anything outside was hardly visible – was I glad? Yeah I was. Airplane gave me the same feeling we get while visiting Maruti True Value showrooms – all cars look kool but we know that none of them is new. Interiors were good, Sari Clad Air Hostesses give you a true Indian feeling and you literally give them a forced smile. But I was glad that they surely have done some grooming in all these years that none of them makes an eye contact and they really look decent and are very helpful indeed. They at least carry no attitude and false air with them. Seats were good, I am neither tall nor bulky so there was enough space on my seat on either sides even when I attempted a Sharon Stone stunt a couple of times it didn’t bothered the neighbor. Breakfast in the morning flight was good; it was enuff for me at least. You have a choice of a Veg or a Non Veg. I am veg – so I got an Idli with Sambhar, a little Fruit Salad, A Frooty kindda drink, A Big Puff with Amul Butter, Sauce and a choice of Coffee or tea later.
Take off was nice – I was shocked and surprised too to hear that the co-pilot was a lady. I was surprised as it was an IA flight. I had done a night shift earlier in the evening hence fell asleep after breakfast – and woke up when the plane landed with a big thud – that was the hardest landing I had ever witnessed, good enough to wake me up and look around. Check out was a breeze as I was not carrying anything other than a laptop I needed to handover to the company. Had a tuff time with those thieves driving auto’s in Chennai.
I was glad to board a bigger air craft on the way back as this one was an old Air Bus with 2 by 4 by 2 seats. 6 Air Hostesses to support the huge number of people on board. They did their job of fixing us up and packing the over head cabins in no time and serving the meals and cleaning up too. I was glad to see their efficiency and mind it – this time the hostesses were even cooler than the incoming flight and I noticed the same policy of no eye contacts this time too. I am sure about that grooming part on IA. This time even the landing was fundoo, since the plane was huge – it landed too very well but one of the hostesses woke me up to witness the landing as my chair was reclined which had to be straightened for landing. Food was good and more than I could eat on my way back, I almost left one samosa and a little of sweet they served – it was delicious but I had no space in my tummy after I had an exit lunch in the company with 4 gorgeous colleagues – LOL.
Flights surprisingly were on time, same day 2 paramount flights were cancelled from Chennai to different directions, 2 air Deccan flights too were cancelled, only 1 IA flight was delayed and all the IA passengers were served lunch.
Oh! By the ways I must tell you – specially to those who are going or coming from Chennai airport that there are two shops in the airport worth visiting – one is Sri Krishna Sweets for that special south Indian sweets and the other one is that Taj Shop which sells yummy snacks – try that Yummy Burger they serve you in just 35/- bucks – its good enough and tastes damn well.
Indian Airlines is Economical, Flies almost all sectors, Almost on time and Good too. I give it two thumbs up for you guys.
Ratings and Comments are more than welcome.