A busy hi-fly executive – drawing hefty salary (not me) started his day with a great hope that “today I am going to crack the big deal with my clients.” He got up early at 5 am and got ready to reach the airport by 7 am; which he did (as the flight was at 8 am). On reaching the Delhi airport, he found that his flight is delayed by 15 mins. As he is a “busy executive” – his company has booked him in best of the airlines and not so called “low cost” airlines and he is very proud of this fact.
He felt whole of the city is at the airport when he reached the Check-in counter and it took him almost 25 min to checkin. He was told that now the flight is delayed by 25mins. He thought its ok as his first meeting in Mumbai is at 11.30 am; so no hurry. So he moved to the security area and was surprised to see again such a long queue. He was frustrated to see the speed of work there, but was helpless (as he saw his Louis Philippe jacket being kept in a tray with his laptop and scanned).
So having cleared all the security; he was all set to board the flight. Now he was slightly hungry too as it was already almost 8 am by the time he cleared security. He thought in any case I will get a good breakfast in the aircraft so it’s better to wait. He patiently waited till 830am and soon started to feel why there is no announcement to board his flight. He inquired from the airlines representative; who mentioned let me just check and he never returned (what an idiot he thought!). He again asked a beautiful girl from airlines, who assured him that she will definitely find out and let him know. She smilingly informed, Sir we will announce boarding soon and it actually happened at 845am when they were taken for boarding and he reached his seat in the aircraft exactly at 858am as the aircraft was parked at a distance.
Now seated and everyone on board at 914 am he was happy that he will still make it (what a positive attitude!). The doors were closed and plane was still not starting. On enquiring, he was told the last of the baggage is being loaded. Then exactly at 929 am the pilot announced that sorry for this delay and they are ready to move but they are 14th in the take-off sequence and it will take atleast 20 mins. Now his patience was soon getting over and he was regularly looking at his watch for take-off (as this meeting in Mumbai was very important for him). Meanwhile he sent a small sms to client that he might be delayed by 30 mins (nice approach to keep client informed:-)
The flight finally took off at 10.01 am; and he was really very hungry and frustrated why he chose this airlines or why things are not improved in this country…..
So he got the breakfast – he preferred Veg and got a small meal (south Indian) which he soon felt was not enough and too light! On checking with the beautiful airhostess – he was told that now a days everyone is cutting cost Sir. He thought low cost airlines are better as you can buy as much food as you want!!
Pilot announced that we are flying over Baroda and soon will start our descent to Mumbai; but soon that also changed as he again mentioned that we are 7th in landing sequence as one runway in Mumbai is closed for some repairs. Now our friend was very frustrated and angry as it will really get late for him to reach the 1st client at 1130am and next meetings are at 2.30 pm and 5pm (one in Colaba and other one at 5pm at Bandra – closer to airport as he has to take the 8pm flight back home)
The plane finally landed at 1235pm and he came out of the airport at 1253 pm (as he did not have checkin luggage). He got into the pre-paid taxi at 1.08pm and shouted Worli – as fast as possible as I have a meeting; driver looked at him surprisingly and then our friend added – PLEASE…. I will give you extra. He called up client and said I will reach by 130-145pm as the flight was delayed and client was cooperative. So he was relaxed and closed his eyes.
When he opened he found he has reached Bandra only; he thought he slept for long and checked and he was right it was already 132 pm. He asked what is happening and was told – Sir today is big rally of a party celebrating success so traffic jam L
He finally landed at clients place at 2.03 pm and again felt sorry. He was worried about 230pm meeting as that client was a tough client. So he sent him an sms telling that he will reach by 3pm as flight was delayed. Soon he realized that the important decision maker for the Worli client had left after waiting for long and the decision will not be taken now.
He left the Worli client to reach at Colaba at 345pm and the tough client at Colaba had also left after waiting for him (with a message that be on time next time). Now he did not want to miss the last client at Bandra at 5pm; so he got himself a burger from Colaba as there was no time for proper lunch. He did reach the clients office exactly at 456pm and was very happy that atleast he can meet this client on time. On enquiring he was told that the client is now stuck in jam and will reach in 15 mins; which he reached in 46 mins. As our friend had to catch the 8pm flight at Mumbai airport; he has to leave Bandra atleast at 630pm to reach airport by 7pm; so the meeting with Bandra client was also inconclusive.
He sat in an AC taxi; thinking that he could not finish any of his work and he is going without any deal (he did not stay back in Mumbai as clients were out of station from tomorrow)
On reaching airport he was told the flight is on time (atleast one good thing in the day today- he thought). Flight took off exactly at 812pm and they reached near Delhi at 952pm; but were told that they are again 8th in landing sequence. Finally aircraft touched the ground at 1023pm (that too on the new runway – which took 22min for taxi). He was finally out at 11.01pm and got into the taxi and headed towards his home in Gurgaon. He was surprised to see the traffic on NH-8; where there were trucks all-over; in all lanes and no traffic policeman around. It was really scary to see trucks being driven so fast and in all lanes. On reaching toll-plaza he found that trucks are there in ALL the lanes and it took them 18 mins to cross the toll-plaza. Finally he reached his home at 1158pm (2 minute before mid-night).
He thought to himself that he spent almost 18.5 hours on road/air without any result and no proper food – what a waste!!
Is this called Development?? When we will improve as a country??
Lot of noble thoughts – but next day is again a busy day as I am expecting important partners !!
