Not long back I started flying a bit frequently. I remember my first flight that had good deal of excitement. But soon the excitement faded away and it became more of a duty. Duty to go a bit ahead of time, duty to stand in the check in line, duty for immigration mayhem… and so on.
I tried to fly with different companies to see what is the difference. And certainly Jet and kingfisher came out clearly. Another airplane that came out distinctly is Air Deccan, can also be called hawai dhakkan, with love or HATE. This was based on in house services.
If I consider off flight services(professional only…) hawai dhakkan maintains its position of being the worst Indian domestic flights. It seems that the dhakkans’ attendants and officials get a special training. This is to overlook the passengers’ plight, to politely say we will do everything possible to help you and be happy that they have added one more person in their list of befooled ones.
I remember hearing from only a few friends who had missed their international flights. And this time I joined this elite league. Thanks to Air deccan aka Hawai dhakkan.
I ahd a connecting flight with Hawai dhakkan and it showed a great consistency in its record by first announcing of it getting late. All the people had already checked in and after waiting for an hour, a pretty lady came to announce if we wanted to go with the flight. What a great question, guess what all the passengers had come to see the airport lounge and not to board the flight. After a while, she comes back again with a new twist: She announces: It will not be possible to take your baggage with you in the flight, do you all still want to board the flight? Then I will call the flight. Another example of perfect training and timing. All this is happening after announcement of delay of an hour. Finally for me this temproray ordeal came to an end when I felt if I further wait for this dhakkan I will certainly miss my next flight. I booked the ticket in Jet.I sympathize with those unfortunate ones who waited for the Dhakkan to still arrive. I finally got the news that the flight has been canceled. Though I was also not in a great position. As it was too late by then and I had missed my further flight.
Now again this dhakkan never took any responsibility and not even helped in any way. The perfect training paid them off once again. The only answer I got: We are not responsible for any unforeseen delays, what the hell! But again the Jet airways did help in getting the ticket reconfirmed for my flight though after a lot of discussion but at-least it helped.
I have not even been refunded the fare. This will be another ordeal .aah!!!
So my learning neverever rely on the dhakkans.
