I returned after an hectic and joyful trip to India last week. We flew to Chennai and had to visit Vadodara to meet our friends. We had confirmed bookings by the Indigo airlines from Chennai to Vadodara via Mumbai. When the booking was made online through "Make my trip", the transit period in Mumbai was only 45 minutes. Thinking that the job of shifting gates to the connecting flight in the same terminal should not be a problem, we went ahead with the plan.
While boarding from Chennai, we were greeted by the friendly young staff of Indigo airlines. After securing the boarding pass from Chennai to Mumbai, when questioned about the boarding pass of the second leg, we were told that we need to get it only in Mumbai. On hearing this, a sort of uncomfortable feeling spread on us. While arguing about the time factor in Mumbai etc etc, came the next shock. The staff told us that we have to collect our baggages and then do another check-in with a new boarding pass which will be issued only in Mumbai. 45 minutes is all you have and having to do such jobs would be impossible. Off ran my husband to meet the Manager of Indigo. After considerable discussion and spelling out the impracticability of the situation, they came with a positive reply that one of their staff would be ready with our boarding pass at the disembarking gate in Mumbai. This seemed to be a tension-relieving solution. Now, the question of baggage!!!! After many calls to Mumbai, again the Manager came positive feedback of transfering our baggage immediately on landing in Mumbai. He also promised that they would load the baggage directly to the Vadodara flight and we need not be bothered about it. We both heaved a sigh of relief, but everything should fall in place as told to us. Easily said than done !!!!!
On reaching Mumbai, an announcement was made to offload us first. We ran to the gate and was greeted by a pleasant looking staff who was holding our boarding pass. We were even escorted to the boarding gate by another staff who ran as much as we did. Finally, on reaching the appropriate gate, we thanked him and the staffs of Indigo. It was our maiden flight through this airlines and found them very helpful. Indigo has a young fleet of ground staff who are on their toes all the time and they claim that their flights are on time or ahead of time. I vouch for that as all the flights were 5 to 10 minutes ahead of the arrival time.
Thanks to Indigo for making our trip possible without any hassle.
Moral of the incident: Transit time should always be more than 2 hours, be it domestic or International.
"Sometimes when we become angry/upset/disappointed at others for not reacting to our wants and needs as we would like, it may reflect something similar about ourselves that we may not like and challenge us to become more aware of our own shortcomings." Jenny Jimenez
Great to know about this Indigo airlines, happy u enjoyed ur journey..
ReplyDeleteglad you had a nice and safe journey...! have a lovely holiday:)
ReplyDeleteI traveled in indigo while i was in India, this time.
ReplyDeleteWish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy holidays.
Good to know about the Indigo service. Yes, the transit time should be more, esp. if the travellers are old, it will be very difficult for them to run here and there!
ReplyDeleteLovely post!!Hurray indigo indeed :) Merry christmas to you and your family :)
ReplyDeleteWishing u a great year 2011
ReplyDeleteSeasons Greetings to u :)
ReplyDeleteHey u've been tagged! Check my blog for further details :)
Yes, indigo has been awarded the best airline as well.
ReplyDeleteHappy New year to you..
ReplyDeleteI had a similar experience when we had to catch out next flight from S'pore to India.WE literally ran to catch the flight which was in another terminal.Gosh! with a kid and an elderly MIL ,it was a nightmare.Anyeways glad u had a wonderful trip :)
ReplyDeleteAnd,Wish you a very happy new year.May this year be filled with all that is best and beautiful in life :)
ha ha- funny- it happened to me a month ago while bringing my mom from MOldova- and I was having my 19 months old baby with me- Good Lord- what a journey- missed 2 flights...but all is well when it ends well- great you are home now! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteWish you a very happy new year!
ReplyDeleteThis post will evoke similar feelings for many of us. I hope the airlines maintain this level of customer service. It is always an hot or miss with the connecting flights in India.