Loved it. Was in splits when at a non noise free airport, Chennai maybe several years ago three young girls in the Ladies washroom clicking mirror selfies heard their names being announced and jumped for joy saying 'Hum famous ho gaye!!!!' Was hilarious.
I was a poor grad student in the UK, when my uncle invited me to join him on his work trip in Paris. Even tho the trip was in cold February of 2009, I was excited to see a new country. He had booked us a hotel on Champs Elysees!
The trip was fantastic: he was in meetings all day and I roamed Parisian streets covered in wool from head to toe, taking long-exposure photos. When it came time to say goodbye, I told him I will go to the airport with him and still have enough time to come back to get the Eurostar to London.
At the airport, he went up to the business class counter while the proletariat stood in the economy line. I was looking forward to giving him one last hug and bask in the glory of the trip, but the mood changed. I saw him in animated discussion with the lady on the counter. He was visibly red -- out of anger or embarrassment I couldn't tell.
Then he came back, walking very slowly. He said: "Beta, never ever do what I just did. Promise me. My flight was scheduled for yesterday, not today. Always check your documents and flight schedule. I've had to use all my gold-tier points to get a seat on the next flight."
I had never seen my rich, successful uncle in such a state ever before. He had failed and I was determined I would never fail. I never missed a flight until April 2024, when after watching my first total solar eclipse in Michigan, I got stuck in traffic and had to pay dearly to get the next available flight to DC where people were going to gather to hear me speak.
I immediately called him and I said: "Chacha, after 15 years I've finally broken the promise. I missed a flight today and I don't even feel bad. What I just witnessed in the eclipse was worth every penny and kilogram of carbon dioxide it cost." He laughed out loud, as I turned red in embarrassment.
We once booked our BLR-DEL tickets with Air Deccan (RIP). We live, like 2km from the airport and still managed to reach the counter 32 minutes before departure. The guys at the counter flatly refused to let us in. I tried to work sentiments with my 3 year old child, and wife. They were relentless. "No way boss. Go die."
I booked an Indigo flight from the counter in the airport, which set us back by 25k
Return, we were more cautious. There was s no boarding pass or anything. When it's time, they simply open the gates, and we all run towards the aircraft. Like inmates of a concentration camp. There was pushing and shoving to get in.
One guy who came in last was looking for a seat. He asked the flight attendant: "I can't find a seat"
"Boss, this flight has 150 seats, and there are 150 passengers. Find out your seat"
Apparently, he got a seat, I didn't see anyone standing while the flight took off.
All subsequent journeys through the Indian airports were pleasant and smooth. My kids love airport. They say it gives them a "rich peepals" feeling. And they get to eat expensive food.
I dropped my PAN card in Mumbai airport once, thankfully after using it as ID proof etc - I had tweeted to Indigo to look for it as I had left for Bangalore. They found it and sent it to me :) Glad to read a blogpost and leave a blog comment in 2025!
I lost my aadhar card at Delhi airport 6 yrs ago(inside the airport). I searched for it for a while and as I was already inside the airport, I just gave up. That's not a big thing as I can issue another one...but man my mom till today roasts me regarding that ki you can't keep things safe 😭. Love all your posts Sidin as this one. I remembered this episode of mine while I read this blog.
Case in point, I had to login, then get a code in my email, to verify it back on substack, so I could comment, I mean Whatay!!!
But seriously, how are you this witty? I can assure you of a JK Rowling like "Richie-Rich" future should you pursue writing comedy full time, be sure to pre-sell royalty to Dharma productions or something.
Brilliant post. I generally notice three type of people at all Indian airports. The one large group which is probably on a group tour , laughing and talking loudly . Then individuals roaming around or reading with AirPods in their ears. And then the couples, sitting in a corner, waiting to board, the husband wondering how he can get away from the wife and the wife wondering what did she do to get here.
Loved it. Was in splits when at a non noise free airport, Chennai maybe several years ago three young girls in the Ladies washroom clicking mirror selfies heard their names being announced and jumped for joy saying 'Hum famous ho gaye!!!!' Was hilarious.
I was a poor grad student in the UK, when my uncle invited me to join him on his work trip in Paris. Even tho the trip was in cold February of 2009, I was excited to see a new country. He had booked us a hotel on Champs Elysees!
The trip was fantastic: he was in meetings all day and I roamed Parisian streets covered in wool from head to toe, taking long-exposure photos. When it came time to say goodbye, I told him I will go to the airport with him and still have enough time to come back to get the Eurostar to London.
At the airport, he went up to the business class counter while the proletariat stood in the economy line. I was looking forward to giving him one last hug and bask in the glory of the trip, but the mood changed. I saw him in animated discussion with the lady on the counter. He was visibly red -- out of anger or embarrassment I couldn't tell.
Then he came back, walking very slowly. He said: "Beta, never ever do what I just did. Promise me. My flight was scheduled for yesterday, not today. Always check your documents and flight schedule. I've had to use all my gold-tier points to get a seat on the next flight."
I had never seen my rich, successful uncle in such a state ever before. He had failed and I was determined I would never fail. I never missed a flight until April 2024, when after watching my first total solar eclipse in Michigan, I got stuck in traffic and had to pay dearly to get the next available flight to DC where people were going to gather to hear me speak.
I immediately called him and I said: "Chacha, after 15 years I've finally broken the promise. I missed a flight today and I don't even feel bad. What I just witnessed in the eclipse was worth every penny and kilogram of carbon dioxide it cost." He laughed out loud, as I turned red in embarrassment.
We once booked our BLR-DEL tickets with Air Deccan (RIP). We live, like 2km from the airport and still managed to reach the counter 32 minutes before departure. The guys at the counter flatly refused to let us in. I tried to work sentiments with my 3 year old child, and wife. They were relentless. "No way boss. Go die."
I booked an Indigo flight from the counter in the airport, which set us back by 25k
Return, we were more cautious. There was s no boarding pass or anything. When it's time, they simply open the gates, and we all run towards the aircraft. Like inmates of a concentration camp. There was pushing and shoving to get in.
One guy who came in last was looking for a seat. He asked the flight attendant: "I can't find a seat"
"Boss, this flight has 150 seats, and there are 150 passengers. Find out your seat"
Apparently, he got a seat, I didn't see anyone standing while the flight took off.
All subsequent journeys through the Indian airports were pleasant and smooth. My kids love airport. They say it gives them a "rich peepals" feeling. And they get to eat expensive food.
Glad you resumed this. Had good laugh reading this. Pls keep pounding us with more tidbits
I dropped my PAN card in Mumbai airport once, thankfully after using it as ID proof etc - I had tweeted to Indigo to look for it as I had left for Bangalore. They found it and sent it to me :) Glad to read a blogpost and leave a blog comment in 2025!
I lost my aadhar card at Delhi airport 6 yrs ago(inside the airport). I searched for it for a while and as I was already inside the airport, I just gave up. That's not a big thing as I can issue another one...but man my mom till today roasts me regarding that ki you can't keep things safe 😭. Love all your posts Sidin as this one. I remembered this episode of mine while I read this blog.
Case in point, I had to login, then get a code in my email, to verify it back on substack, so I could comment, I mean Whatay!!!
But seriously, how are you this witty? I can assure you of a JK Rowling like "Richie-Rich" future should you pursue writing comedy full time, be sure to pre-sell royalty to Dharma productions or something.
Brilliant post. I generally notice three type of people at all Indian airports. The one large group which is probably on a group tour , laughing and talking loudly . Then individuals roaming around or reading with AirPods in their ears. And then the couples, sitting in a corner, waiting to board, the husband wondering how he can get away from the wife and the wife wondering what did she do to get here.
More like Scenes where Sidin loses things at airports. 😁
Fried chicken is not dinner. Fried chicken is snakes.