JOY FROM DELAY

ETD 0310 hours. Dropped off at airport five minutes to midnight. Informed at check in counter that the revised ETD is 0600 hours - reason for delay not disclosed? First reaction is anger at airlines for failing to give prior intimation. Despair of sitting out quarter of a day on an upright chair in the holding area of departure lounge caused irritation for a bad beginning.

Set myself up in a chair close to the departure gate allocated for the flight after completing immigration formalities (super fast at CSIA - Mumbai). Activities at this deserted gate commenced around 0130 in the morning with boarding announcement for Air France to Paris. Next was Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, followed by Sri Lankan, Ethiopian and Turkish. Our Kenya Airways flight was finally announced at 0645, which ultimately folded its landing gear around 0745!!

On settling into my requested aisle seat of the 2-3-2 seating arrangement in 'cattle class' (thanks to Shashi's sense of humour), was threatened by the sight of my fellow passenger at the window seat being an over size 'cattle'!! Thankfully, it turned out that he is a regular on this route and knows a trick or two to charm the cabin crew, so managed to find a vacant three seater at the rear of the craft.

Within the first hour of being air borne breakfast was served. Soon after consuming two cups of black tea, obtained a blanket and squeezed up in the classic 'mother's womb' position on my 'two seater' with the luxury of an extra pillow in an attempt to rest my smarting eyes from lack of sleep coupled with the body wanting to stretch out.

For the next three hours tossed and turned with the contour of the seats starting to hurt if stuck in one position for too long along with the neck precariously balanced on the arm rest. Funnily, when I got up to sit on the seat after this attempt to sleep, felt much rested and relaxed to enjoy the snack pack of nuts with apple juice!!

The long pre-flight wait permitted me to observe and understand why certain airlines get categorised highly and are perceived as god, bad or worse. The simple SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) associated with announcing the boarding and clearing the passengers to proceed through the aero bridge to the aircraft was an eye opener as to why the same task gets done better by different airlines - thus adding value to their brand. No marks for guessing who is the best amongst the mentioned airlines. Cathay Pacific. (Worse - Kenya Airways.)

By the way, substantial portions of the sprawling Mumbai airport is put on 'hold mode' for a short period during night time. Lights and other facilities are switched off in parts which are not in use till next day's activities commence.

The unexpected delay caused the connecting flight from Nairobi to depart without me. For once the airlines offered to accommodate passengers at a star hotel without much fuss.

The upside of the over 36 hours forced lay off in transit was that I caught up with a dear friend stationed in town. Some things happen for good. We caught up after twenty long years and spent quality time together. His lovely wife arranging to lend me her husband's kurta pajama for the night (as my suitcase was not accessible before reaching final destination). After a simple home cooked impromptu dinner they dropped me back at the hotel.

It is humbling to realize that we are pawns on the large chess board of life. The joy and fun experienced because of the delayed flight was the best compensation that could have been remotely imagined.

Lesson learnt - train to be positive when faced with unexpected situation. Live the moment by accepting a given condition with least resistance.