Who does not like travelling and tourism , more so, in the post – Covid era ? Depending upon one’s paying capacity and with a view to save time, one may prefer a flight or a Mail/Express train if desired place is not connected by air. Flying, after all, all over the World is considered safest way to travel.
2) We have to prepare for an air journey sufficiently ahead of time. But, perhaps, all know how frustrating it can be if something goes wrong.
On the ground, one is given reasons, such as, aircraft has not arrived, weather is bad, or there is a technical flaw etc. Reasons connected to manpower constraints are generally not disclosed.
Upon check in and security clearance, one should be sure to fly but sometimes, do not be surprised if you are informed in the departure area that ” You have reported late”. So despite your request and pleadings, you are denied boarding.
3) While waiting for the next flight ( if there is one) you gather that some ” important” person or possibly a “person with deep pocket” was adjusted at the last moment against your bonafide seat. You may not know, it happens due to old and nefarious practice of over booking by the private airlines. It has been learnt that those providing security at the airport too are hand in glove on many occasions.
4) Either you are made to pay an unreasonable amount or depending upon your convincing powers, you are issued a fresh boarding card to be accepted back. It is also a mystery, as to how only your luggage is identified and off loaded within a few minutes of being declared “ineligible” for the first flight.
5) Once inside the aircraft, one is not sure of take off immediately. Even after being hurriedly pushed into the bus, do not be surprised if a VIP looking hefty man or woman keeps everyone waiting and flight takes off after their settling in. Usual drafted apology message is read out in an anglicized accent by the host or hostess.
FEEL LUCKY IF YOU ARE OFFERED WATER WITHOUT ASKING
Checking of Aircraft Is Mandatory
6) While IT IS MANDATORY to thoroughly check an aircraft before being declared “Air Worthy”, in the past few weeks, Indigo and Spicejet have inconvenienced and risked the passengers by reporting the following:
* Smoke is coming out from the engine,
* Wings have suffered some damage,
* Overhead hand baggage container has suddenly opened,
* Window panes have developed cracks, or
*Even the front window has some issue.
Due to such reasons, aircrafts have to return or get diverted to another nearest airport or pray for emergency landing in a country that does not allow her air space for use by us.
7) In the event of last named episode, another aircraft comes after hours of wait or sometimes next day. But it may happen at the cost of other passengers who may get deprived of their planes taking off in time resulting into disruption of their schedules or appointments.
8 ) Another sad experience one faces is the practice of private carriers to close the aircraft gate much ahead of scheduled take off time. When questioned, they never forget to defend themselves. It happens due to two reasons:
* Either they follow instruction from ‘Top’ to give preference to a big destination ahead of time, or
* The airlines has no inclination to pay the halt charges of the crew.
Latter may be the main excuse due to heavy losses suffered by the private carriers in the recent past.
9) This writer was compelled to miss two such flights from two North East airports as also once due to supposed overbooking or preference to a heavyweight passenger as described in para 3. INDIGO, the concerned airline and head of CISF were approached ,however, no opportunity was given to lodge a formal complain, forget about looking into the inconvenience caused or tendering an apology.
VIEWS OF MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
10) On hearing or taking suo motto cognizance of aforesaid facts, the standard replies of the Ministry are :
‘ passenger safety is paramount’, spot checks will be conducted or already conducted, suitable direction has been given to the concerned airline to avoid technical snags, go for operation of only 50% of the flights, better audit of aircrafts by engineers will follow, etc.
REACTION OF D.G.C.A.
11) Aviation watchdog in India is Director General, Civil Aviation. Its head is supposed to be a technically qualified Aeronautical engineer of sufficient seniority.
Sadly over the years, non technical Civil Servants of Joint Secretary rank are heading this vital organisation. Whatever they say or observe ,therefore, is based on technical inputs of their aeronautical or mechanical engineer colleagues. Hence, one can imagine the end result. Distortion in communication is most likely.
12) Instead of concentrating on technical issues already described, it has been reported that even foreign airlines that had come to India had reported fifteen technical snags in the last eighteen days. Specific details about such snags, however, are never disclosed.
DGCA has also the audacity to say that that there is No Need To Panic as none of the events that have been reported/ discussed ” had the potential to cause havoc”.
REMEDIAL MEASURES
13) Even though the DGCA has promised to go for trouble shooting, ordering replacement of defective valves and to undertake a two month long Special Audit of the airlines, it may be premature to say that Indian aviation sector is safe and that snags reported are of Routine Nature.
CAN IT BE BELIEVED ?
Hold your breath and think seriously before booking air tickets of private carriers. Only what has been described may not put you to risk. There may be some other reasons also for flight disruptions and sudden and abrupt cancellations.
14) Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, Despatchers together with ground duty men, all are bound to work according to a defined system and all need to be monitored and reviewed regularly.
15) Passenger rights and obligations are generally well explained in manuals and displayed instructions. But only a person who feels the pinch( not always) can assess the actual gap between the Cup and the Lip.
16) Last but not the least, due to changing lifestyles on our part ,we need to follow also “Plane Appropriate Behaviour”, rather than rushing in and out of an aircraft as if one is having a bus or train ride. Senior and ailing passengers too deserve a special treatment.
IMMINENT DANGER FROM MONKEY POX
The W.H.O. after taking cognizance of over 20,000 cases of Monkey Pox in 75 countries has rightly declared a PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY OF INTERNATIONAL CONCERN. This viral Zoonosis disease was already prevalent in many countries of Africa. Symptoms reportedly last for two to four weeks.
First Indian case was detected in Kerala when one Indian citizen returned from the U.A.E. Other two cases subsequently detected in Kerala too had UAE connection. But four patients reported in Delhi so far had never gone to a foreign country. They happen to be Nigerians who are reported Not to have known each other. About a case in Telengana, details are not available.
We need to take adequate care against this fresh epidemic. We should be guided by effective prevention and control measures undertaken during three waves of Covid-19. At present, it may not appear that Contagious but one cannot predict what may be turn of events in future.
The decision to set up a Special Task Force for better monitoring and management of Monkey Pox menace under the chairmanship of Dr. V K Kaul, Member, NITI Aayog is certainly a timely and WELCOME STEP. Apart from developing a dedicated vaccine for the new viral infection, all state governments must exercise State of Alert from now onwards and save the population from another harrowing experience.
About the Author : Dr. Aaloc Srivastav, Ex CS , Sikkim is a Senior Retd Bureaucrat and passionate about writing on his favourite subjects . The views shared by the author are his personal.
