In our recent trip to Thailand we got a chance to experience the grand and magnificent Maharaja treatment. Torn, rebuking, blaring… errr.. what kind of Maharaja treatment is that! Don’t sweat darling, welcome onboard to Air India. The world’s most preferred airline (as per a note from CMD of our beloved airline).
I might be sounding exaggerated but trust me that is how it was. As we entered into the aircraft, the first impression was quite similar to of a local city bus. The cabin crew had an expression as if they were just spanked and told to stay on gate as a punishment by Mr. Pilot. Come on guys… a rather smiling face won’t do any harm.
The temperature inside was as hot as it could be when ACs are not working. Fortunately it came to life after some time. My wild guess is that either we were plain lucky or may be they were just waiting to get the cart loaded with all passengers to save on some fuel. We somehow found the seats and as we tried to put our fat bums on it, there was a strange creaking noise. I tried to look around and discovered that the seat was thoroughly fastened by surgical tape at various places. Wow, now that is some in-flight experience for sure. Virgin guys… where are you? What about your button operated flat bed seats! You might take a tip or two from Maharaja to make them more comfortable. A further glance ascertained that we were not the only one chosen for it, most of them were in similar state. For some of them it was the arm rest, for others it was flip food tray or some thing else. Now, I am sure you guys are nodding your heads in disagreement, so here, take a look yourself.
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At the time of take off, Neha wanted some ear buds so I tried buzzing the stewardess. Tring… waited for 5 minutes, no response, never mind, they must be busy some where else. Tring again... same… Tring again.. lost the hope. After around 10 minutes an Aunty (what else do you call a 40 something air hostess?) came huffing and puffing. We needed some ear buds but never mind we managed fine, but yeah, could you please get us some magazines, I said with a forced smile. What she came up with was “Swagat” (welcome), a leaflet kind of thing with a note from CMD and some other internal stuff on how AI is world’s most preferred airline and how thankful they are coz we are flying with them. (But thanks anyway coz that gave me the ID of the CMD for feedback, where I am sending the link to this post, with least hopes to get a reply)
During the flight when aunty was serving the drinks, a poor passenger on the next seat was trying to listen to some music on his phone.
Aunty (almost screaming) – ye kya hai? (What is this?)
Poor Passenger (PP) – blinked... astonished with the sudden attack
Aunty - HAI KYA YE… (WHAT EXACTLY IS THIS?), Mobile phone?
PP – yeah but this is in flight mode
Aunty – whatever, even this is not allowed, band karo ise (switch the damn thing off)
PP – but…
Aunty – grumbling while moving ahead… Flight mode, huh…
PP – too stunned to speak…
All said and done, we can easily argue that it might be one bad day or one bad flight and not all of their flights are like that (even I agree coz the flight at the time of going was not half bad) but I have just one question, that is, what image AI is trying to portray by offering this kind of aircrafts and in flight experience in their international flights. In the age of this cut throat competition where every other company is trying to come up with best quality and service, if this is what AI guys are trying to compete with?
Cheers!!
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You blogged!!!
What a start to the honeymoon, huh? :D
Man!! That bad huh!! I never liked their sister concerns (Indian, Indian Airlines) because the other carriers offered greater value for money and needless to say better service. But after the pictures, I for sure won't take an AI flight ( Some bad publicity Ms. Thoughts. Good job)I have heard similar stuff from people who've taken their transatlantic flights. They aren't taking another AI flight again. No wonder it's running into losses. And SINCE it is running on losses, I guess it has to hold it's parts together with duct tape. Recession my friend :-)
If the CMD is reading this, please don't sue me :-(
Hello!
My first visit to your blog! I thought the AI was good but well, will try not to take a flight with them now!
Interesting place you have here!
P:S- happy honeymooning!
Congrats! and here's wishing you and Neha ALL the very BEST in your journey ahead. :-)
Yeah, pathetic service they provide! You know what- you can shut an eye to the infrastructure issues if only service could make up for it. But service is even more deplorable. I have no issue with age of the people, but grace. YOu need to do your job with grace, no matter what your age. And that is something they sorely lack!
Qi - well yeah.. but that was the end actually, on the return flight :)
Ms. Speaks - First of all, time to clear up some confusions.. This is MR. Thoughts, so please.... :D
I had no intentions of the bad publicity but as a customer I have the right to diatribe if I am not getting what I am suppose to.. no :)
Nikki - Thanks for dropping by, well yeah the experience was as bad as it could be but that does not necessarily means that there all flights are bad.. I might be the chosen one :)
JLT - Thanks for the best wishes.
I dont have the problem with age either.. but they are not supposed to behave like grand moms with the
passengers.. that was the worst part.. they were taking them for granted as if we were being obliged in some way from those people.
For infrastructure.. I dont see why we should shut our eyes on it.. as a customer we are paying them money and they are not kindda offering two different fares that for Rs.. xx you will get ducted seats and for Rs. yy you will get the premium treatment.. then why? I think Infrastructure is equally important as service.
And on top of that, it was an international flight and being India's national air carrier what kind of image of India and its hospitality they are portraying among the people from all over the world..
Mr. Thoughts it is. Mishtake se mishtake ho gaya :D
frick! talk about road trip with a difference..enjoy the honeymoon mon ami! \m/
Psst..WTH are you doing in blogville? ;)
Congrats dude, have a grateful life ahead with neha.. all the very best :) s...
How romantic to go to thailand. Congrats on your wedding. I often wonder why airlines face such extreme cost-cutting measures. Almost all airlines breakeven after expenses. So they hire the personnel with the lowest cost and marginally maintain their equipment to stay competitive.
Instead of regaling us with some cool honeymoon locales and stuff, here he goes again and complains! :p
Having said that, reading the post has already had its effects and just reminded me of one small flight that I had boarded upon few years ago; let me tell you that I've prayed so hard that day and it is only b'coz of those prayers that I'm here right now and able to write this comment. Sigh!!! I'm only human.
*shudders*
Firstly I wish to congratulate you and neha...may you both have a great life ahead!
Now about the post...ironically, AI treats us like paupers instead of Maharaja. Anyways foreigners do not have great impression about us, now AI just adds more to it. I guess AI should be privatized, sab barabar ho jayega
Ms. Speaks - Mishtake maaf :)
Dphatsez - Bhai.. first of all, pardon my ignorance but what does your handle mean?
Hmm.. about your question.. some thing are better untold.. wait till you get married my dear.. :)
Anonymous - Thanks
Mike - Now that is a different POV from a economist but do you think if this reason is justifying enough :)
Still Thinking - Hmm.. so what were you expecting.. some raunchy pics and videos :P
About your flight.. That proves.. he is watching :)
Gayatri - Thanks dear.. AI.. enough already said so no comments :)
True. They'rot charging us peanuts for the duct tapes.
I agree infrastructure also matters. :-)
i sincerely hope u get a reply from AI for this post!
Maybe the AI ppl are too ashamed to reply. But seriously, Scotch taped seats? thats anti-security and inconveinient in an emergency!!!
JLT - :)
Sawan and coffee angel - no such luck! they are immune to complaints I guess