It was the 3rd of Feb 2013, I was all set mentally to travel through parts of the History and the Mysteries of India. My wife had an exam and a larger part of the day was spent going to and coming from and waiting at the exam center.
In the evening started packing. I was traveling for the week so had a lot of stuff, but was not sure if a trolley bag or suitcase would help. Finally decided on a backpack.
My flight was on the morning of the 4th. A 6:15 AM Departure for the flight meant ,I woke up at 3, got ready , caught the 4 AM BIAS(the BMTC Airport service) to the airport. I reached the airport at 5 and headed straight to the check-in desk. I told the guy that I did not want to do a trough check-in of my baggage to Allahabad.
Early morning flights from Bangalore are best avoided, esp so on a Monday. 40 people queues for Check-in a similar one for Security Check. It really is bad even in the new airport. I went through all these ordeals and decided to visit the restroom. There was a queue at both the restrooms in the security area. I that day realized the swanky new BIAL had all of 6 wash rooms for men in the security area!! ( I later realized they had many more washrooms in the arrival halls..I still do not understand the logic).
Finally My flight boarding started. I had 3C . First row in economy aisle seat. I thought both of the seats next to me were empty. Later on 1 got company of a gentleman in 1 A. He from his tag I realized was from Ministry of Home affairs in Delhi. He later on introduced himself as the PA to minister of State for Home,(K.H.Muniyappa). I also saw Mr D.Raja of the CPI(M) in the business class. A communist MP happily traveling business!!
Breakfast a croissant, fruits, pongal and a good Sambhar vada. AI 804 landed uneventfully and on time at Delhi and taxied to T3. Below is the AI bird that carried me.In the background you can see old ATR in alliance air livery which took me to Allahabad hours later.
I walked out of the flight and exchanged a good morning with Mr D Raja. Walking through the terminal got see Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy (Andhra CM) and Mrs Purandeshwari(Union textile minister) who were happy to flash the typically politician smile.
Walked on and was informed to claim my baggage and go through to the transit Check-in. I did. Again the whole check-in, security process, but much more peaceful with better facilities. I had read about Starbucks store which had opened a week back and decided to have a Caramel Frapichino.
I had a lot of time to kill so decided to wait at the Plaza Premium Lounge. Walked out at 12:45 and headed to gate 42 for my ATR experience.
I headed to the gate and waited for 13:30 flight. It was delayed I was informed to 14:00 at 13:50 because the incoming flight had been delayed. It went on with 30 min delays. Finally a boarding call was made at 15:30 and our flight departed at 16:00 hours.
I had two seats for myself on the ATR(Thank God!!). The weather was bad with a lot of clouds and turbulence, but the captain did manage to get us down at Allahabad(IXD) at 17:45. I was informed that Allahabad being a civil enclave(which means air force airport) photography was strictly prohibited.
We walked of the aircraft to the terminal. I thanked the captain as well on the way. The baggage was transported by a small trolley to near the terminal. Then each bag was laid in the small arrival hall(50feetX100 feet) by the porters and the owner could take it and leave. How simple life is in small places!!
Then my cab driver called me and said he was waiting for me and clicked of with a Hare Krishna. We drove down through Allahabad,stopping for tea and snacks at Bikanervala and reached the Mela Area.
In the evening started packing. I was traveling for the week so had a lot of stuff, but was not sure if a trolley bag or suitcase would help. Finally decided on a backpack.
My flight was on the morning of the 4th. A 6:15 AM Departure for the flight meant ,I woke up at 3, got ready , caught the 4 AM BIAS(the BMTC Airport service) to the airport. I reached the airport at 5 and headed straight to the check-in desk. I told the guy that I did not want to do a trough check-in of my baggage to Allahabad.
Early morning flights from Bangalore are best avoided, esp so on a Monday. 40 people queues for Check-in a similar one for Security Check. It really is bad even in the new airport. I went through all these ordeals and decided to visit the restroom. There was a queue at both the restrooms in the security area. I that day realized the swanky new BIAL had all of 6 wash rooms for men in the security area!! ( I later realized they had many more washrooms in the arrival halls..I still do not understand the logic).
Finally My flight boarding started. I had 3C . First row in economy aisle seat. I thought both of the seats next to me were empty. Later on 1 got company of a gentleman in 1 A. He from his tag I realized was from Ministry of Home affairs in Delhi. He later on introduced himself as the PA to minister of State for Home,(K.H.Muniyappa). I also saw Mr D.Raja of the CPI(M) in the business class. A communist MP happily traveling business!!
Breakfast a croissant, fruits, pongal and a good Sambhar vada. AI 804 landed uneventfully and on time at Delhi and taxied to T3. Below is the AI bird that carried me.In the background you can see old ATR in alliance air livery which took me to Allahabad hours later.
I walked out of the flight and exchanged a good morning with Mr D Raja. Walking through the terminal got see Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy (Andhra CM) and Mrs Purandeshwari(Union textile minister) who were happy to flash the typically politician smile.
Walked on and was informed to claim my baggage and go through to the transit Check-in. I did. Again the whole check-in, security process, but much more peaceful with better facilities. I had read about Starbucks store which had opened a week back and decided to have a Caramel Frapichino.
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| Depiction of Surya Namaskar!! Nice!!! |
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| The travelators are really needed in T3. |
I headed to the gate and waited for 13:30 flight. It was delayed I was informed to 14:00 at 13:50 because the incoming flight had been delayed. It went on with 30 min delays. Finally a boarding call was made at 15:30 and our flight departed at 16:00 hours.
I had two seats for myself on the ATR(Thank God!!). The weather was bad with a lot of clouds and turbulence, but the captain did manage to get us down at Allahabad(IXD) at 17:45. I was informed that Allahabad being a civil enclave(which means air force airport) photography was strictly prohibited.
We walked of the aircraft to the terminal. I thanked the captain as well on the way. The baggage was transported by a small trolley to near the terminal. Then each bag was laid in the small arrival hall(50feetX100 feet) by the porters and the owner could take it and leave. How simple life is in small places!!
Then my cab driver called me and said he was waiting for me and clicked of with a Hare Krishna. We drove down through Allahabad,stopping for tea and snacks at Bikanervala and reached the Mela Area.
