I am continuing to bug you all with some more of my voyage stories. This time it’s about the Thai Airways. This is the airline that our d [Crazeebidee taught me this.. ;)] admin fella keeps booking us in, quoting stupid budget reasons. And we keep forgiving him with a hope that there is a next time for everything. Alas! Some things never change. And it’s always another enduring journey with Thai.
Good things first
Before I leap into the ordeals, let me give you some good reasons to choose Thai. They are cheaper cost-wise, mostly punctual and can connect you from any corner to any other corner of the Earth [that’s what they say]. They also have some fancy mileage and points system, which may be of use for your future travel. Besides, they have fairly okay in-flight and ground services in comparison to several other dreadful peers. Lastly, no matter where you are heading, they shall always see to it that you land at Bangkok International Airport (BIA) for transits and give you an opportunity for those duty-free shopping. In fact, BIA seems more like a huge shopping mall and less of an airport. So what are we waiting for? Let’s take the flight!
Ground realities
I’ll request some real Delhite MSian to write a review on our good (???) OLD Indira Gandhi Int’l Terminal here. Honestly, I cannot. Not without being prejudiced. All I can say is that domestic terminus is 100 times better, if not more. I’ll also skip details on check-ins and immigration uncles/aunties who time pass asking ’’You RJ? You look like exactly in your picture..’’ [Beat me but how else should I look if not like in my pic?.. still can’t figure that out]
Fly Thai
Anyways, it’s boarding time and at the entrance there is this cute lady saying ’’Salika’’ [Greetings] with slightly bowed head and folded hands which move up and down with such precision time that even the Mannequin robots outside a textile showroom cannot match it. Also, please take a second look at her traditional attire in pure Thai silk and that classic brooch. Splendid! Since we penniless paupers travel only Economy class, we get ushered to our seats depending on the whims/ fancies of the flight attendants. So is the case for any other service you request, like copy of English newspaper, glass of water, blanket, anything at all. Next time, remember to book in Royal Executive class or Business class if you want the best service. Ok, so you are all settled down amidst the fellow Indians groaning, moaning, belching and ..er.. the other ing. You get classic company of assorted Indians when you fly this sector with samples of UP Bhaiyyas to Bihari Babus, Madrasi Aiyahs to Babu Moshais, Punjabi mundas to Gujju behens, Mooning loony honeymoonies to even would-be Akshay Kumars.. ;)
And then fly high
Finally the flight has taken off. Thankfully, all Thai flights have safety videos playing and brochures in seat pockets, which save you from the dumb(est)-charades made ever so popular by our Indian Airlines aunties [notice my addressing]. Earlier, the drinks trolley would make rounds immediately once the flight has taken off, but these days they have skipped that ordinance and drinks come along with the meals only. You are lucky if you are the hot drinks kind, as you get umpteen refills. But for the poor juice sipping types like me, it’s very difficult to get a second glass of orange squash even after repeated requests :(
Your hostesses
Did you notice that these cute girls/ladies [ and again notice my addressing ;)]already had their first dress change? Now, they have grey-ish English skirts, white full-sleeved shirts with floral designs and a different hairstyle. This sector is also probably the training ground for newbies.. as most of the girls are still trying to learn English, speak in half Thai, mistake one request for another and end up giving you something totally you didn’t ask for. Also, I’ve witnessed mishaps of tipping full glasses on poor passengers during those catwalk practices. It looks more like Miss [/Mess] World contest, as there is 2 more dress and hairstyle changes before you alight. Service? Now what’s that? [they are still learning English, aren’t they? give them a break!! ;)] Those smart guys in pretty suits that you [ok, ok..I] eyed while boarding completely disappear :( Talk about gender balance here!
Meals
I am deliberately omitting this section. Those who’ve read my previous review know why, and those who haven’t.. please do read it now..;)
In-flight Entertainment
No magazines worth reading or any good newspapers, so put on those earphones and switch to some music channel.
’’chee chon chaan.. si thi lu go aaa.. gee tyon tin.. la lee choo..’’ [Don’t ask which language, but please read it musically]
Channel change. And
’’Aaaaaaaa laalllaallaaallaa.. kori baaasi, aiyya meeeyooooo...’’[Ditto above brackets]
If you are extremely lucky, you may occasionally hear a JLo or a Kylie Minogue singing in a language that is familiar to you. Ok, how about catching something on that big screen? But trust Thai, they always play the same videos in all their flights, in all the sectors, in the same month. So once I got to see ’’Mr. Bean’’ [yes, that stupid monkey-faced fellow making monkey faces always..] in 3 consecutive flights of different sectors..:( [And you still think I am sane?] This is one thing about Thai that I totally despise. The least they can do is to cater according to the taste of the people flying in different sectors. And the same comment holds good for the Meals section as well.
Just before landing..
..they used to earlier present a small bunch of purplish orchids (their national flower) to the lady passengers. Now, no signs of those lovely things. Instead you find the trolley of duty-free items hovering around. And whenever these cuties pass by whispering the names of the wares in the trolley, it reminds me of the local vegetable vendor who announces his arrival from three streets before.
Finally you alight at the Land of Smiles, gearing up for your next flight or immigration check or whatever.. and running around BIA duty-free shops in case something fancy catches your eyes.. ;)
Final thoughts.. I prefer Thai airways to Malaysian and Air India [Shudders!!].. but given a choice, I will go for Singapore Airlines.