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Fun in the Air
Nepali airline industry is revolutionized this year with the entry of a budget airline and various accompanying innovations, which have made it a really interesting experience to fly. Read about a case example.
After the entry of budget airline in Nepal’s skies the consumers are not only getting cheaper tickets but the flight has also become a more entertaining experience. Here are some real examples that I experienced while flying to Delhi recently.
I rushed to the airport early morning, my pockets and handbags were checked thoroughly. I was very cooperative as they were checking every passenger and I thought that it was to make sure that no one was carrying a gun or anything that could be used as a weapon to hijack the craft. But there was something unusual about it though I could not figure it out at that time, as I was groggy as well as too anxious to enjoy the first experience of flying on our own private sector airline on a foreign trip. Only when I had finally sunk into a reclining seat designated for me did it dawn upon me that the checking was by the airline staff and not by the security people. They were in fact trying to ensure that I was not carrying any food or drink with me. I was supposed to buy the stuff on the plane lest I may later complain of bad stomach by consuming unauthorized food. Paying Rs. 200 for a slice of fruit-cake and a few chips, I was happy as it was certified by the airline - as safe as the matter we read in the newspapers which are certified by the censure authorities.
Before boarding the craft, at least three announcements were made that the flight was being delayed for reasons camouflaged in technical mumbo-jumbo. However, I was again happy that at the departure lounge I got a chance to get some sleep that I had missed in the rush to make it to the checking counter in time. Therefore, travelers who are really on a budget and are looking for a way to skim a few bucks off their travel expenses can consider sleeping in the airport. It’s free! The TIA’s departure lounge is actually far better than local lodging. And to top it off, your friends and family may really enjoy it when you return with your airport stories.
At last, when the pilot started shouting off the cows from the runway, fellow passengers and I were sure that the journey was about to start. So we collected our handbags and started queuing up at the foot of the boarding ladder. A stewardess gave me a grim smile while we entered onboard but was showing all her teeth and bending low in front of a guy who was only in his shorts and carrying no baggage. Learning: Don’t carry any handbags and wear as little clothes as possible while travelling a budget airline.
The pilot in his welcome message said, “We are pleased to have some of the best flight attendants in the industry, though unfortunately none of them are on this flight.”
Before the take off, the stewardess told us to fasten the Velcro. It was very important, as we had already waited for three hours at the airport lounge and you know how hungry we were. So it was inevitable for us to fasten the belt to feel comfortable.
No water was served even after several requests. The smiling stewardess looked as if she was saying: “You will get the water as soon as the Melamchi project is complete.”
When we arrived at the destination, the attendant thanked us by saying, “Thank you for your fright in our airline.”
The senior flight attendant also made an announcement of those who had won the lottery which the airline was running. And she added: “But we request you to pay the tax now for the prize so that our sister concern may proceed with assembling the prize article.”
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