the roads are getting nearer

Monday, July 25, 2005

` Monday, July 25, 2005

That is, if you happen to take one too many planes with surf-happy pilots, who probably think that the sky is really the limit. I have to refrain myself from whining about the terrible plane-ride from Goa to Bangalore, as strangely telepathic as it sounds, my dear ex-colleague (cum former farawayland exploring companion) whiskeysprite had also blogged a similar event (events, in her unfortunate situation) in the skies. While relaying my story this morning, my colleague J and another co-worker S over in Bangalore also related similar horrifyingly long waits at the departure lounges for flights that never seemed to take off.

It's pretty amazing, but the non-equality that plagues mankind somewhat disappears when people are gathered in an airport lounge. Everyone's desperate (to get on that damn plane and reach their destination), lonely (calling up friends and family like never before), tired (butt-burn suffered from long hours on the lounge chair) and downright helpless. Despite pointless reassurances by ground staff on the likelihood of not spending another night in the host city and that the plane "will take off in no time", everyone's already turned into some hotpot of emotions. Flared tempers aside, nothing can be done, until the decision is made to take off despite horrid weather conditions. Which is when the action starts and the pilots start to think of themselves as extras on Black Hawk Down.

Truth be told, aside from the tiny plane I was on that was attempting (I repeat, attempting but missed twice!) to land in some God-forsaken place, the plane back to Bangalore from Goa was possibly the most unnerving flight experience of my travelling life. It was so bad, I was actually trying to recall how much insurance my family would've been able to claim, should I have met with a mishap. The passengers actually broke out in applause (amidst silent cursing, I'd reckon) when the somewhat 'drunken' plane finally touched down at the airport.

And yes, I think I am adequately covered for death or hospitalisation. That is, if I can recall where exactly I'd placed the relevant documents.

Comments:

Haha, now you finally know how it feels to land with the passengers applauding...Not funny...
And I did the whole works, checked out company insurance, medical, health, death, travel whatever as soon as I touched down. Life sucks.

# posted by

cLaiRe : Wednesday, July 27, 2005 5:08:00 pm