Air India - Wish Mr.Modi make a daring decision to close this loss making, arrogant employee mafia organization and a disgrace to India

I still recall the early days of The Maharaja, and the warmth of traditional indian folks welcoming with a smile & nameste in to the 747. The feeling itself was like you're no longer in USA but in India.

But we all know what is going on with Air India these days. Be it an air-hostess turning off auto-pilot while the pilot dozing off or Pilot with fake papers, or fighting mid-air. All these things are visible in public news, but the most important thing is "experience". If any of you every flew with AI, you know what I mean.

Anyway, after almost a  decade, I took Air India. The new Boeing 787 to SG in dirt & dull color waiting for me on the tarmac in new delhi. The first sight itself was not too good, but I told my inner self not to be cynical and get on. Surprise, no welcome or I couldnt even recognize the crew. They are just like any other passenger. Wearing regular dresses, with unshaven/unkempt hair, and most importantly talking in the mobile phones. Was a bit confused, but managed to find my seat and tried to relax by closing my eyes.

#1st annoyance: Right after the flight started pulling out, there is a hard tap on my shoulder and I opened my eyes. There was this lady who mumbled "you need to listen to the security message". OMG, so I can't even close my eyes (no earset/pods at all)?. I refused and continued in my thoughts while trying to throw my irritation away

#2nd annoyance: Within 30 min, the usual fare of serving drinks, food began. I requested not to disturb as it was well past mid-night. While I almost knocked-off, there is another rude voice and a hard tap on my head rest as if somebody trying to hit me. There is another guy who is concerned that I am skipping my meals and not drinking anything. Irritated quite badly

#3rd annoyance: Did I mentioned that they forgot to switch off the lights?

#4th annoyance: Did I mentioned that the crew just took the last row of seats and started to sleep (as if it's a bed)? Even during when the seat belt sign is on?

#5th annoyance: By the way there is no service at all. Even when you push the button multiple times A passenger who was sitting few seats in-front of me need some hot water / milk. She tried to call the crew at-least 5 times but couldn't see anybody bothered.

#6th annoyance: Did I mentioned that they really know how not to use any equipment? For example the new 787 windows can't be dimmed/opened up with the seat buttons? It's centrally controlled so one would miss the beautiful sunrise totally.

Anyway, the list goes on. Be it the dirty, smelly seats (on the 787 itself) or total lack of empathy from the crew (did they even know the meaning of service) to attend the needy or vomiting passengers (btw, the crew doesnt even bother to clean), or noisy cabin with crew shouting across the flight (????)..

Overall, all I could tell you guys is if you want to feel like you are in the worst place possible on earth, just get on the air india for a long haul flight. IMHO, they quickly need to close this loss making, money sucking machine and disgrace of India from business. Atleast we could save some tax payers money (Billion $ / year atleast).

Hyderabad Airport - Skyhigh User Charges, Terrible service/Experience. Top of it the "manual check-in with hand written boarding pass"

I saw in a news (Not sure if it's Hindu) that Hyderabad Airport is the 4th most expensive airport to fly & Delhi is the most expensive airport to fly in the world. Incidentally both are operated by the same company.

The sad part is the "Value" offered by these airports. I just returned from a short trip from Hyderabad and the experience is as frustrating as one would expect in Indian airports. But paying exorbitant charges and getting ridiculous experience is what makes me pissed off and decided not to fly to Hyd again.

I don't think I can write it here but want to share a "real surprise". Have you ever told that the "check-in" computers are failed and passengers need to do a "manual checkin" by writing their names, details, flight info and passport stuff on a piece of white paper?

It happened and yes, it's in Hyderabad. This exercise alone caused a havoc at the check-in counter as many passengers were searching for pens and writing in queue. As usual the service staff are sitting at their seats & talking over their cellular phones. Result: 30 min delay to the flight and a mad rush of people running to the security area.

Atleast the Singapore Air (I've purchased the ticket through SQ) could have taken control of the situation but they seems to be missing.

Hyderabad Airport Taxi to City & Call Taxi booking.

After 8 years (and first time) I've landed at NTR International Airport (aka RG Airport which is the Official name) in Hyderabad.

The first surprise is at the baggage handling. Cases are dropped from 3-4 ft slanted belt and I pity those folks whose nice briefcases ended up with broken wheels or handles.

Second is the transport from Airport to City. The worst part is the website itself which promotes only the two cab operators. They promote Meru & Sky Cabs which must be metered. That's where the real problem is. metered taxis are not cheap and I ended up paying INR 930 (~SGD25).

While chatting with friends I realized it is always better to book a taxi in advance rather than taking the cabs at Airport. If you book in advance you can get it one way for INR 400 & twoways for 800-900. Which is almost half the price.

You can give a try @ below links or just do a google. I myself tried Orange cabs (Innova) for Drop off & Return. I've received an SMS on the day with taxi driver name, contact no & details. Timing is not very punctual (30 min late) so plz make sure you tell the driver/taxi company some what earlier pickup time. Have buffer is always good in India(Sad enough..)

http://www.yellowcabshyd.com/tariff.html
http://www.orangecabs.com/?page=tariff
http://www.celcabs.com/hyd-fares.html

Opening FDI in Indian retail market

In year 1991 (20 years back) our home was decorated fully and we've more than 50 people wearing new clothes and in a joyous occasion. One would be dead wrong if they think it's a festival or a function. The fact was we're getting a "telephone" in our home.

We're one of the lucky guys in the town with a population of over 100,000 but with less than 100 telephones. I even remember people travelling from near by villages to my home to receive a call.

Just a month back in Nov when I visited my home town the first thing I did was to purchase a pre-paid SIM card by paying INR 50 (~ $1) and activating a data package for 1 month by paying extra INR 99 (~$2). This was the change thanks to innovations in technology and more importantly opening up the telecom sector to private sector.

There're strikes, bandhs, harthals what not done by the so called communists & BSNL (DOT) employees not to open up the telecom sector because it'd increase the prices and people will be slaves to MNC's and large private sectors. But thanks to Mr. Singh & rest we opened up. Of course there're scandals, kick backs but my point is mainly with liberalization and introducing competition moving away from license raj.

Now when I see the retail sector, I see a shop almost in every street and corner. I'm sure they are making more than what my dad or some of my friends are making by working as a employee. Understand there're 50 million people participated in last week strike. If I take the number and estimate each shop represented by 10 people then the approx number of shops will be around 5 million. My big question is how many people are even paying income tax. I'm sure none ( or a very minor %) paying sales tax or VAT because these folks are 'small time retailers'. This is the problem I see in India where people always hide behind protective covers and 'politicians' blame those in power without any logic and work for their own vote bank benefits.

I heard below lines in a movie when the Hero was asked by friend why he choose to be in India which is a poor country.

Yes, India is a poor country.
We've leaders but poor in leadership
We've resources but poor in execution
We've knowledge but poor in innovation
We've businessman but poor in business
We've long history of culture & heritage but lack of values & morals


By the way here is a great article from Swaminathan.
http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Swaminomics/entry/aam-bania-is-more-powerful-than-the-aam-aadmi

Air India - Upgrade to Exec class

It was a surprise to me that I got upgraded in Air India during my return trip :)

It's sweet but the experience is no diff compared to economy class. Same service and same 'dusty' & 'dirty' seats. Food is slightly better and seats are obviously wider. I still hope the Maharaja can turnaround and improve the service standards. Be it at the airport handling or in flight or for that matter the web site..

Air india - entertainment system, A ten inches touch screen LCD system..

After more than eight years, I was forced to take airindia flight and my first feeling was "still the same". Same aunties with grim look on their faces as if they are doing a favor to us, young gals with robotic smile as if they're programmed to smile every 30 sec.
Dirty seats, smelly interior.. Then I realized something. There is a something that looks like a LCD in front of me and this is the economy or cattle class ;) More interestingly

"It's a 10" touch screen LCD"

I couldn't believe until I tried to access the features. Then I came back to my senses that I am flying in AI. The system simply doesn't work and the only channel which was working is the flight tracking :)
There're no ear phones offered or on sale which makes the entire entertainment system a joke.

The problem with AI or most of the indian organizations or infra is the initial investment is world class but the maintenance or service is of ???? class... Sorry no words to explain ..