It was barely a few days ago that Rishie, who joined my current workplace around the same time I did, told me that she had almost missed her flight last week. Well, today even I almost did.
Scheduled to depart at 2205, I left office at 1830 hoping to catch the airport shuttle that passes by the bus stand near my office. Since the Bangalore Airport is approx. 40 kms from the city and it costs a bomb to get there in a taxi, I thought I can try and take a cheaper alternative.
The bus time table said the bus passes by at around 1845 but till 1900, there was no sign of it and I was getting restless. As a contingency, I thought I would book an Uber from there itself in case the bus is late. My phone showed all 5 bars and the 3G sign but the Uber or Ola app did not connect. That, would be the first sign I might miss the flight.
By 1915, when finally, after switching my phone off and on a couple of times, I finally got through to book an Uber, I was not allowed to since my eWallet balance could not cover the bomb that was needed to be shelled out for an airport cab. After a couple more attempts of trying other modes of payment, when I was finally allowed to book one, the shiny green bus with the sign KIAS-12 caught my sight. I let out a sigh of relief and boarded the bus.
My luggage stowed away and my ticket bought, I dialed Lily's number. Just this morning, Lily had jokingly made me believe that her roommate had missed her flight. An hour later, we found out that she actually did miss her flight, which incidentally, was also run by IndiGO. And now, as she picked up the phone, the first thing she uttered, 'Did you miss your flight too'? There, the second sign.
After what seemed like eternity, the bus finally pulled into the perimeter of the airport at 2105. I have witnessed how people have 'mastered' the skill of reaching on time and not having to sit and sulk around waiting for the boarding to start. So I thought, hey, I am kind of a frequent flyer now, so I should try and get this skill under my seat-belt. So I decided to eat something before I went inside the airport.
First stop, Kappi Shop - Had some filter coffee and got a masala peanut bun packed for when I am in-flight
Next Stop, Chai Point - Mulled over the fact if I should have some banana cake. Hmmmm, nah
Up next, Kaathi Shop - Took my sweet time deciding what to order. Then finally ordered a batata wada roll with an extra layer of omelette in a whole wheat paratha
By the time I paid and was waiting in queue to take my roll, the clock showed 2120. Damn, I am cutting it really close today. I hope I don’t miss my flight. FYI, sign number three
Busy chatting with a customer who was praising his paratha swiveling skills, I got even more delayed. At 2225 I decided that I really have to choose between my flight or the roll. So I cursed the guy in my head and made a dash towards the entry gates.
There are these times when you are in a hurry and everywhere you go, the person right in front of you is the laziest person alive? Today I was in the pillion seat. Another 5 minutes later, running here and there to find the check-in counters for my flight, I slipped from under the IndiGO lane ropes directly to the counter asking for a savior to come to my aid or else, I will miss my flight.
The guy at the counter was very helpful but also, equally regretful as he explained how he could not do anything. The counters had closed and there was no way I could board this flight now. The best alternative was to get on the next available flight by shelling out the difference in fair of the two. But wait, another obstacle awaits. The next flight was in 6 hours. With a sad face and thinking how Lily's prophecy had come true yet again, I dragged myself to the reservation counters.
Thanks to Rishie, who had gotten out of a similar jam a few days back by pleading with an administrator to print her boarding pass, I tried to do the same. The lady at reservations heard me, rapidly pressed some keys on the keyboard and told me to rush to the counter again and collect my pass as she had bypassed security and checked in for me. I don’t remember her face nor did I read her name, else I would have thanked her on my return to Bangalore and even mentioned her name in the flight experience feedback.
Boarding pass and two luggage bags in hand (could not check in luggage as well), I dashed towards the security gates. Again skipping under the ropes and shouting, 'I am going to miss my flight, please let me through', I reached the front of the line. I have always hated such people you know. They know they must reach the airport well in advance but still drag their royal asses barely minutes before take-off.
Today, the hater had become the hated. I was in quite a hurry but, the guard scanning me was in a jolly mood. He wondered if he could scan my barcode tattoo, asked me why exactly did I have that on my forearm and if that was 'the thing' these days. Wishing that barcode gave me an all clear passage right to the boarding gates, I smiled in accordance, collected my belongings and now, dashed to the boarding gates.
Against the all-so-mighty prophecy that I would not get air-borne tonight, I reached Gate #8, calmed self, sat down to give some respite to my shaking legs and boarded my flight as one of the last few passengers. Furthermore, to my benefit, I had been assigned the XL extra leg-room seat next to the emergency exits. Some silver lining :D
All's well that ends well right? I am tired and famished as I write this post on my blog, after such a long time, all the while, wishing I had taken waited for that kaathi roll :/
Scheduled to depart at 2205, I left office at 1830 hoping to catch the airport shuttle that passes by the bus stand near my office. Since the Bangalore Airport is approx. 40 kms from the city and it costs a bomb to get there in a taxi, I thought I can try and take a cheaper alternative.
The bus time table said the bus passes by at around 1845 but till 1900, there was no sign of it and I was getting restless. As a contingency, I thought I would book an Uber from there itself in case the bus is late. My phone showed all 5 bars and the 3G sign but the Uber or Ola app did not connect. That, would be the first sign I might miss the flight.
By 1915, when finally, after switching my phone off and on a couple of times, I finally got through to book an Uber, I was not allowed to since my eWallet balance could not cover the bomb that was needed to be shelled out for an airport cab. After a couple more attempts of trying other modes of payment, when I was finally allowed to book one, the shiny green bus with the sign KIAS-12 caught my sight. I let out a sigh of relief and boarded the bus.
My luggage stowed away and my ticket bought, I dialed Lily's number. Just this morning, Lily had jokingly made me believe that her roommate had missed her flight. An hour later, we found out that she actually did miss her flight, which incidentally, was also run by IndiGO. And now, as she picked up the phone, the first thing she uttered, 'Did you miss your flight too'? There, the second sign.
After what seemed like eternity, the bus finally pulled into the perimeter of the airport at 2105. I have witnessed how people have 'mastered' the skill of reaching on time and not having to sit and sulk around waiting for the boarding to start. So I thought, hey, I am kind of a frequent flyer now, so I should try and get this skill under my seat-belt. So I decided to eat something before I went inside the airport.
First stop, Kappi Shop - Had some filter coffee and got a masala peanut bun packed for when I am in-flight
Next Stop, Chai Point - Mulled over the fact if I should have some banana cake. Hmmmm, nah
Up next, Kaathi Shop - Took my sweet time deciding what to order. Then finally ordered a batata wada roll with an extra layer of omelette in a whole wheat paratha
By the time I paid and was waiting in queue to take my roll, the clock showed 2120. Damn, I am cutting it really close today. I hope I don’t miss my flight. FYI, sign number three
Busy chatting with a customer who was praising his paratha swiveling skills, I got even more delayed. At 2225 I decided that I really have to choose between my flight or the roll. So I cursed the guy in my head and made a dash towards the entry gates.
There are these times when you are in a hurry and everywhere you go, the person right in front of you is the laziest person alive? Today I was in the pillion seat. Another 5 minutes later, running here and there to find the check-in counters for my flight, I slipped from under the IndiGO lane ropes directly to the counter asking for a savior to come to my aid or else, I will miss my flight.
The guy at the counter was very helpful but also, equally regretful as he explained how he could not do anything. The counters had closed and there was no way I could board this flight now. The best alternative was to get on the next available flight by shelling out the difference in fair of the two. But wait, another obstacle awaits. The next flight was in 6 hours. With a sad face and thinking how Lily's prophecy had come true yet again, I dragged myself to the reservation counters.
Thanks to Rishie, who had gotten out of a similar jam a few days back by pleading with an administrator to print her boarding pass, I tried to do the same. The lady at reservations heard me, rapidly pressed some keys on the keyboard and told me to rush to the counter again and collect my pass as she had bypassed security and checked in for me. I don’t remember her face nor did I read her name, else I would have thanked her on my return to Bangalore and even mentioned her name in the flight experience feedback.
Boarding pass and two luggage bags in hand (could not check in luggage as well), I dashed towards the security gates. Again skipping under the ropes and shouting, 'I am going to miss my flight, please let me through', I reached the front of the line. I have always hated such people you know. They know they must reach the airport well in advance but still drag their royal asses barely minutes before take-off.
Today, the hater had become the hated. I was in quite a hurry but, the guard scanning me was in a jolly mood. He wondered if he could scan my barcode tattoo, asked me why exactly did I have that on my forearm and if that was 'the thing' these days. Wishing that barcode gave me an all clear passage right to the boarding gates, I smiled in accordance, collected my belongings and now, dashed to the boarding gates.
Against the all-so-mighty prophecy that I would not get air-borne tonight, I reached Gate #8, calmed self, sat down to give some respite to my shaking legs and boarded my flight as one of the last few passengers. Furthermore, to my benefit, I had been assigned the XL extra leg-room seat next to the emergency exits. Some silver lining :D
All's well that ends well right? I am tired and famished as I write this post on my blog, after such a long time, all the while, wishing I had taken waited for that kaathi roll :/
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