Delhi Airport & Continental Airlines
Newark to Delhi was for the first time a 14 hr flight. Continental Airlines now has a direct non-stop flight. However, the experience of flying with Continental Airlines was average because I always benchmark with Singapore Airlines, which is luxurious even in economy class with excellent excellent service. I was also irritated with the Air Hostesses on Continental Airlines. They checked in my overnight bag without informing me – she was supposed to keep it aside as she claimed all overhead bins were full. ALL my important documents AND gold (yes, I too own lots of gold jewellery like most Indians) was in the bag. When I got to know on landing, I was so angry that instead of yammering with the asinine female (the damage was already done), I rushed to get through immigration as fast as I could to get to my bags before somebody took off with my loot from Baggage Claim. India is famous for stuff being stolen, slashed bags. Delhi in particular is really notorious. However, this time I was in for a surprise – there were lots of porters and generally people were looking for their luggage in a normal civilized manner instead of knocking each other aside in a hurry to get a panoramic view of the baggage belt. I relaxed considerably but was still tense. The two 50 pounder suitcases came in one by one and then nothing. Millions of other bags/suitcases but not my precious cargo. The small overnight bag came in last while I anxiously paced around. I immediately opened it and to my relief, everything was intact. I would have sued the Continental Airlines B@#* if anything had been missing. I guess, they do not know how lucky they are 🙂
Anyhoo, to talk more about the Baggage Claim Area – it seems to have transmuted into a haven – with smartly uniformed porter’s efficiently managing luggage. Also, for first class passengers, the porters were separately picking out marked luggage (what fun!) from a cordoned area (VIP area?) and keeping them aside. Also, Delhi immigration was much easier than last time, the immigration officers were seated in spanking new steel and frosted glass open cubicles and looking happy. Gone were the 1930’s study table design wooden counters. With the new cubicles and happy immigration officers – immigration was a breeze.
I walked out of baggage claim to the entrance “hall” and all the tranquility was broken 🙂 – Leering mustachioed goons stood side by side placard holding drivers. But I did not have time to mull over this as my father and mother shone like radiant beacons 🙂 My beautiful beautiful parents – they are still a handsome couple and its been a week of travel here and there with them, and I am enjoying every moment of it.
I shall provide a short update of my Mussorie trip – was beautiful. Stay tuned – I will have pictures too!
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Tags: Asia, Delhi, Flight, India, Travel
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