I guess I am destined to go for pilgrimages in the most unplanned manner, all of a sudden and the recent visit to Shirdi was no exception.
I could not stop sharing a few incidents. Pune airport is bursting at its seams with pressure, the city becoming an essential destination for the IT sector. I looked around for a seat, and there was none, though many seats were ‘occupied’ by backpacks of the adjacent seats. It seems they leave al their pretentious work on their laptops, to ogle at every passing lady if one would approach and seek to vacate the bag to sit for a while. I can’t miss their faces turning away from disparaging males like me, their fingers fiercely tapping the keyboard, to keep busy. I approach one to say, “if this is your bag, it could enjoy the comfort of your lap,” as I drop the bag and grab the seat. I can see the apparent disharmony and a spirit of intolerance that immediately sunk, building a high wall between us. What should I call these chaps, Idiots? Should they be penalised!
The airlines have increased the cost of excess baggage, even as they have reduced the permissible limit of luggage, just a few months ago. From 20 kgs. checked in and 7 carry bags permitted earlier, now it is 15 kgs. checked in and ‘strictly’ 7 kgs. for the checked in. There is no point smiling at the ground staff manning the check-in counters. I guess they get a cut from robbing the passengers.
Everyone seems to target the fliers, stealing in whatever they can. One glaring item has been the mineral water bottles. The courts would have none of this nonsense and had declared that the MRP had to be respected. Lo and presto, a ‘specially packed for so and so’ print started appearing on the bottles, thus thumb their nose. The courts get angrier and chide (beyond which they can do little). Another Lo and presto, as favourite brands like Bisleri and Kinley, do a vanishing trick, as the companies pop out a new brand unheard of with the black-market rates. Why in the heck, favourite brands with MRPs as available outside are not permitted in the airports? I repeatedly write about the water-woes, as the MNCs have settled in controlling the essentials and holding us in ransom.
The coffee from the Udipi and others were no different, save, it cost then between Rs.5 and 10 No coffee is less than Rs.25 and could go up to Rs.200 depending on the ingredients added, including the golden cow urine.
The upset passenger couldn’t match my tenacity and quit. I am now alone in a three seater, as I hurriedly take my bag and place it on my left seat and put my books and laptop on the left one, as I begin looking at charming ladies to dove my hat and rise to offer my next seat!
Penalty? You must be kidding!
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide voix
