In India’s capital, Delhi, the Indira Gandhi International is an airport that knows it features on the world map of aviation. Although work is still in progress at the sprawling infrastructure, the areas open to public is already impressive. Despite the late hours, there is bustling activity. Why are flights overseas generally scheduled for the wee hours of the morning? Perhaps the intent is to awaken to a new time zone!
There are many airlines, and each has its own gateway. That means a lot of walking but the service at Del Int’l is far more crisp and efficient than in any other city of the country. Follow the signs and you can get to your destination.
And for the elderly, there is priority, and more importantly human courtesy. Wheelchair and baggage handlers at the airport entrance are quick to help to cut you through the crowds. What charges might they demand ultimately? No, no, nothing, the young men shake their heads. And in truth, they move away after handing over to the airline people, and look surprised when you call them back to gratefully offer a tip.
The crowds are indeed immense. With so many travelling overseas, where’s the recession? Security on the international terminal however seems to be far less than the domestic circuit, where baggage must first pass through the x-ray machines before being checked in. The airlines we were flying didn’t seem too concerned that we could be carrying just about anything in the luggage. The high trust level seems inexplicable but perhaps the screening is conducted later and the suspicious tagged or otherwise deleted.
We try to appear solemn through customs and immigration checks. But the official staring over the tops of his spectacles suddenly cracks a smile. Look how she smiles thinking of meeting her son, he jokes with the 80-year-old pointing to her photograph on the visa. Seems to me it’s a good idea to be travelling with senior citizens. You can cut the queues and be unafraid of nodding off and missing the flight. The wheelchair ensures that you be first on the aircraft, comfortably ensconced before the crowds come in!
But sadly the same courtesy to the elderly isn’t extended by some of the fellow passengers. The man seated in the row ahead - economy class - probably needs value for money spent and isn’t about to be accommodating. His seat reclines even during mealtimes, and when asked to keep upright, snarls that the old should go find seating places elsewhere. It needs intervention by the steward and other passengers to remind him of his manners.
Food on the airline is more than ample. An 8-hour flight is long and you’re expected to be ravenously hungry every two hours it seems. For the average Indian accustomed to three spaced meals the entire day, that’s a difficult proposition. Regretfully, after a couple of times we felt compelled to pass up the exploration of new continental cuisine prepared, we notice, by Khana caterers in New Delhi!
And for the elderly, there is priority, and more importantly human courtesy. Wheelchair and baggage handlers at the airport entrance are quick to help to cut you through the crowds. What charges might they demand ultimately? No, no, nothing, the young men shake their heads. And in truth, they move away after handing over to the airline people, and look surprised when you call them back to gratefully offer a tip.
The crowds are indeed immense. With so many travelling overseas, where’s the recession? Security on the international terminal however seems to be far less than the domestic circuit, where baggage must first pass through the x-ray machines before being checked in. The airlines we were flying didn’t seem too concerned that we could be carrying just about anything in the luggage. The high trust level seems inexplicable but perhaps the screening is conducted later and the suspicious tagged or otherwise deleted.
We try to appear solemn through customs and immigration checks. But the official staring over the tops of his spectacles suddenly cracks a smile. Look how she smiles thinking of meeting her son, he jokes with the 80-year-old pointing to her photograph on the visa. Seems to me it’s a good idea to be travelling with senior citizens. You can cut the queues and be unafraid of nodding off and missing the flight. The wheelchair ensures that you be first on the aircraft, comfortably ensconced before the crowds come in!
But sadly the same courtesy to the elderly isn’t extended by some of the fellow passengers. The man seated in the row ahead - economy class - probably needs value for money spent and isn’t about to be accommodating. His seat reclines even during mealtimes, and when asked to keep upright, snarls that the old should go find seating places elsewhere. It needs intervention by the steward and other passengers to remind him of his manners.
Food on the airline is more than ample. An 8-hour flight is long and you’re expected to be ravenously hungry every two hours it seems. For the average Indian accustomed to three spaced meals the entire day, that’s a difficult proposition. Regretfully, after a couple of times we felt compelled to pass up the exploration of new continental cuisine prepared, we notice, by Khana caterers in New Delhi!
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