Indian skies seem to be occupied like the World War 2 times. Planes, planes everywhere fighting for that space in the skies.
With all the flighty scene-scenario happening these days with
ek
rupee mein desh ki sair karo(travel around the country at one Rupee’s
price), I reluctantly resorted to the idea of flying from Vizag to Hyderabad for an unavoidable and undelayable(i know there is no such word, for once imagine ther is one) travel.
So next day morning I got ready, had my breakfast and reached Vizag Airport at around 9.30 am. Even though Vizag is projected as the next Andhra capital, I was little puzzled to find that the Airport was no more than like railway station
Paramount Airways
of the 50’s movies, literally deserted. Looking at the scene, I was smiling mischieviously thinking that there was no way I cannot get a ticket.
BTW, Vizag Airport is controlled by the Navy and hence all the flights are allowed to take off and land only between 9 .30 am and 2.30 pm. Isn;t it an easy time table to remember?)
Ok. now some things to clarify before, I could have used the services of flightraja to book my ticket using its SMS service(the way they advertise as though it seems to be patented by them;-), but I didnot use the services of the official sponsor of MS’s ridiculous contests as I had another sad experience just the day before with FlightRaja. That would be another review.
The previous day I had called up Air Sahara and Deccan but both claimed having overbooked flights and Indian Airlines as usual response "if the others are booked we were booked even before them."
And thats when I decided let me try the dehati(rustic?) version of walk to the airport and see for myself.
Coming back, to my dissappointment, for once Deccan and Air Sahara did not lie over the phone the previous day. They really had their flights booked.I didnot bother about checking IA. I saw another two counters. In spite of feeling low, suddenly there was a glow in my face after looking at the Kingfisher signboard. Wow. I thought lets see who is selling tickets there even though I won;t be able to afford those tickets. Even before I could say anything, the kind lady apologised saying that their flight is booked too. For a moment I thought, what the heck, why do they need to have all the counters so close? But she was even kinder to spend some more time explaining that it being Sunday and suggested trying Paramount Airways counter on the other end.
Paramount Airways! kahin suna sa lagta hain(seems like I have heard about it before). That was like last option for that day. Hesitantly, I approached and checked with them if they had any tickets available for that day. With a reply of "only one Sir", I was glad but "6200/- for business and 9000/- odd for first class". I was little puzzled. "Why business? Do I look like one?"( BTW, I took utmost care to look like a first time airport visitor). But then, I asked him if he has any ticket lesser than business class like economy. The guy on the other end clarified."We operate differently Sir, We offer business class service at economy class rates." That clicked me what Paramount is about. I read about it last year in Businessworld about it being a MAdurai based carrier catering primaliry to the Business travellers, the guy who owns it is a smart young chap returned from US after his MBA with this typical Amru style of marketing. Anyhow, with no other option left, I bought the ticket and waited for the somebody to direct me. The moment they saw that I was alone, they handed me a breakfast voucher to be used at the Airport restaurant.
Fine. Flight Departure time approached. We were all kicked out to get into our flights just like the way in private bus services. There were exactly 4 commercial aircrafts outside, Deccan, Indian Airlines, Air Sahara and Paramount and soem of NAVY. I felt consoled by getting a feel that compared to the rest, the Paramount one was the largest in size and newer than the rest.(comparatively newer, hope one understands how there airlines operate).
The plane was neat with seats looked really for business class travellers, not just he claim. The leg room is much better than Deccan or for that matter even Sahara. Orange juice served just before the take off. It was great. The flight was about to take off. The pilots reassured that as the weather outside seems perfect, we will be in Hyd in exactly one hour with no hassles whatsoever. the take off was cool. but after exactly 15 minutes, there was excessive turbulence and the air hostess started requesting passengers to get back to their seats and the pilot also suddenly clarified that the weather was not conducive but we should be fine. Now I was little worried as I am not a frequent air traveller. I started to divert myself by njoying the food being served with the turbulences happening in the background. For once I thought it was just me who was more worried. But then a turn of my head confirmed that other passengers were equally alert. Of all the menu served, I thought only the two paneer pieces served were tastier. And also the coffee.
I tried peeping here and there to divert my attention, Found that there was a newspaper in the back of my front seat. That was Tamil newspaper, I tried to reason why could they have put a Tamil newspaper on a Vizag-Hyd flight? But in vain. My anxiety led me to request the brown newspaper from my co-passenger. Ah! The Economic Times. But the first news I could glance upon was that of shortage of commercial pilots in Indian Air space which had mention of how People like pursers and technicians are filling the Pilots’ requirements with insufficient flying hours and all. That one article was enough for me to return back the newspaper to my fellow passenger who gave a look as though "No need to panic buddy. It happens when you are flying for the first time". Anyhow, I picked up the magazine of Paramount and figured out that this was a new service between Hyd and Vizag started just 10 days ago. Pretty decent occupancy for 10 days on a sector like this one. Some other interesting information in the magazine made me feeling really better. At last per scheduled time and with the same bullock cart ride kind of experience, we landed albeit safely.
Relieved. Long way to go Paramount. Good Luck!.
Friends, to be honest this is a much better Airways if only you could get tickets at the price of economy . really. Hope you enjoy it.