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News of Jan
5, 2007
Stranded Pilots give
Thumbs Up to Railways
New Delhi, Jan 5
It's one of worst ironies they are unlikely to forget easily. Two
Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots who were to fly back to their base in
Hyderabad from here on New Year day ended up traveling by train as
their flights were cancelled due to the fogged up weather.
Endless enquiries and numerous attempts to take one flight after
another, the hassled duo finally turned to the good old Indian
Railways.
"Railways are much more reliable these days," one of them said in
mock humor as they boarded the Andhra Pradesh Express the next day.
Rashikur Rahman, a pilot with the IAF, was in the capital to
celebrate New Year's eve with his family and was to report back to
his base on Jan 1.
"I booked a seat on SpiceJet flight number SG 221 to Hyderabad
Monday night. I can understand that cancellation due to bad weather
is beyond their control but what baffles me is that they did not
bother to even inform me about it," Rahman told IANS.
Ankit Badoni, the other IAF pilot, was scheduled to take an Air
Sahara flight to Hyderabad on the same day.
Badoni said: "It is airline officials' responsibility to ensure that
their customers are taken care of. My flight got cancelled late in
the evening and that too after we were on the runway, but no
accommodation was arranged nor any kind of compensation offered.
"Since I am not from Delhi, I had a harrowing time finding an
accommodation late in the night." Ankit was scheduled to take the
Air Sahara flight to Hyderabad on the same day.
The fog that descended on Delhi from Sunday saw cancellation of 88
flights and diversion of 45 more. That is bad news enough without
airline officials having to add to the problems, say most commuters.
The airlines, on the other hand, have a completely different
version.
"We call and send text messages our customers in case of any delay
or cancellation of their flight," said a SpiceJet official.
While the official showed showed the computer entry of calling
Rahman at 7 p.m. - three hours before the scheduled departure time -
the pilot maintained he did not receive any call. "Why would I come
to the airport with my baggage if I already knew about it?" he asked
in bewilderment.
Seeing no ray of hope, with straps of SpiceJet, Air Sahara, Air
Deccan et al hanging down their bags, the duo finally made their way
to the railway station.
With two confirmed tickets in hand for the train, the pilots finally
left the capital - and the train left sharp at the scheduled time.
IANS
News of Jan
5, 2007
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