truly (AIR) borne

Ever wondered what it takes for one to do some decent air travel? Tickets. Yes. Flights -of course yes. Good looking airhostess(for men)/purser(for women). A decent lounge to have your cuppa- yes. Seamless web/tele check in- yes. Air conditioned facilities that don’t resemble the VT station at Mumbai- yes. But what else? Hey, u forgot.. ? the runway needs to working, aint it.?
Except that today it isn’t. Today is “Terrible Tuesday”- the day that Mumbai airport runway is shut off for a few hours throwing the whole schedule into a tizzy. and to think this is on till MArch 2010!! .. and for a light shower that has graced this nov day, they r calling it ‘weather disturbance’ … what about days like 26/7 (or worse).. oh that? They call it “monsoon” .. how hypocritical is that?
Well, in the aircon-confines of the Mumbai airport, which incidentally provides relief from “sweaty underarms” and “smelly passengers” unlike the Mumbai local, all I can see is the rather disgusted faces of passengers, cranky toddlers, tired mothers, frustrated business executives, harried businessmen who think they must be losing a couple of lacs (or crores perhaps) with each hour delayed and even confused firangs (who haven’t heard of “flights delayed due to non-availablity of runway- Whew ! whats that ?? they ask.. even the recession isn’t so bad.. huh?”)

The only guys who couldn’t be happier are the cafes (bistros/restaurants- call it what u may) – who are doing brisk business.. not as much as “by-invitation only” Clipper lounges which ‘need’ to serve customers with a Master card / biz class ticket.. Perhaps Tharoor( the minister) was right when he called it the cattle class.. Except that atleast the cattle know where they are headed- And don’t anyway require a RUNWaY!
And to think hubby dahling reached Australia quicker than I could even think, plan, buy ticket and board a flight to dear old “CAL” (Kolkata).. So, here am I checking emails till the battery lasts(and of course, replying to office mails- aren’t I being paid on this official trip?) . and then hopefully hop onto a flight that “peddles” even Water or a plate of sad – looking sandwiches for “under 3 dollars”.. haven’t we truly ARRIVED??