Boarding Flight 82 to Delhi

September 2nd, 2007 at 11:03am Barbara Floria Orcutt 332

For the uninitiated, the chaos of India starts in the preboard area of your flight to Delhi. Despite repeated please of a Condi Rice look-alike gate agent that "people take their seats as only First and Business Class ticket holders may board," numerous Indian nationals jump the queue, release the retractable  tape that is designed to keep them out and literally storm the gate .

Families with young children send them under the tape as scouts or emissaries, an ancient couple rise up out of their wheel chairs, unlatch the tape, daring Condi to send them back, which she does. A lady in a sari throws herself into the breach of those with row numbers 30 and lower, only to be denied.

Condi implores everyone to sit down,  that there's to be "no cheating." Obviously a newbie to flight 82, she warns her more experienced coworker that this is impossible, the worst  behavior she's ever seen, and after 5 more minutes that  "I am leaving now, I can't take it anymore." And departs.

Taking our cue from our peers we enter the First class line (with our coach boarding passes) and preboard with people with  children and those needing more time - Allen uses a cane due to Parkinson's and does need more time).

I turn to an older Indian mother on the gateway with a three-month old with a full head of sleek black hair and say "The pandemonium starts here" to which she replies. "Yes, you must prepare yourself now!"

The chaos continues when we enter the plane - many folks block the aisles, engage apassengers in debates, friendly conversations.

We stow our bags overhead but keep an eye on them. Within 5 minutes a man tries to remove them and put his in their place, I approach and put them back to which he replies "But this is above my seat!"

Being a foot taller than the gentleman helps him accept my "I'm sorry, but it's above mine too and ours were there first!" as I move his aside. He demurs and I help him find another bin. We part friends with a mutual thumbs up. On the other side of the plane similar negotiations ensue until miraculously, all bags are stowed.

Indians indulge their sons. To wit gangs of small boys play tag, clamber over seats and passengers and generally abuse their pleading parents, screaming "no" to all entreaties and stop running and behave. One of the worst offenders is a 5-years-old named Hersh (Joy in Hindi). In short order he has knocked over several suitcases and ignored any attempt by his parents to quell his energy. He keeps yelling "I want Bunny!" When we board I notice he is seated three rows ahead of us.

For the most part our 14 hour plane ride is without incident but as we make our approach and are asked to take our seats people continue to stand in the aisle, take down their luggage from the bins, ask for water, etc., even during the final approach when the flight attendants have taken their seats.

Welcome to India,let the games begin....

Entry Filed under: Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Travel, Garfield County, Women, United Post, India