First things first. I have been procrastinating way too much lately.
I apologise for not updating the blog.
Today I was denied boarding a Emirates Plane !
I had a CONFIRMED ticket from BOM to DXB to JNB and back for official work in Johannesburg.
So when I arrived at the airport, I already had done web checkin, so I proceeded towards immigration where my passport was stamped and then went past the Hand Baggage security towards the Boarding gates.
All well so far........ Until 2 mins before the gates Open.
I was standing right infront (impatiently, as I arrived airport 2 hrs early) waiting for my ZONE to be announced. But whilst I saw Business/First Class passengers board, there was the Emirates Supervisor approach me and ask me gently
Supervisor : "Sir where are you travelling? Are you on a connecting Flight ?"
I: Yes, To Johannesburg.....why you ask ?
Supervisor: (hesitantly) Sir are you travelling alone ?
I: Yes (raised eyebrow!) (hesitating !)
Supervisor: Sir I would let you have a FREE return ticket, from BOM to DXB to JNB and return valid for a year. If you voluntarily offload and take the next flight from BOM to DXB without missing your connection from DXB to JNB
I: What ???????
I: ????
I: Yes....
Supervisor: Calls on her cell for some junior to accompany me out all the way from the boarding gates right through the security check, through the Immigration and back to Check in counter.
In midst of all this, there were several issues, all trivial.
The Security Check Officer redirected me out through some different exit than through which i arrived. I looked like a criminal for a while being the only person going out of a door where as all were entering in.
The Immigration officer grilled the Emirates Chap accompanynig me asking why I need to offload ?
Junior Emirates Guy: Sir we over booked and this guy is being offered a free return ticket and he has voluantarily agreed to offload.
Immigration Officer: Get me a letter stating the same.
Junior Emirates Guy runs around a bit, makes frantic calls and eventually turns up with the letter. All this while I was made to sit in the customs cell, again nervously contemplating my decisions and running second thoughts.
Eventually my baggage is towed back from the plane and boarding pass detained.
My immigration stamp on the passport is also cancelled.
Then at the checkin I am provided with a Options Voucher which states that I can use it for blah blah....
And also one LIGHT REFRESHMENT coupoun which I could only encash at a pathetic "Celebrity Restaurant" behind the Immigration.
It seems I wasnt alone who voluantarily offloaded, there were in all SIX more passengers who opted for the same. Some were offered 1 night stay in 5 star hotel as they would need to come back to the airport tomorrow. Of the six, three were going to make their onward connections if they boarded the 2nd flight out from BOM to DXB, so no hotel for us :-(
Now Part II
At 6:30, The Check in begins for BOM to DXB EX550 flight
I am first one to run in.
It turns out that the counter I chose ran into several technical issues with the baggage tag printer. Ah......Spent almost 1 hr on it.
Later, I am not given my boarding pass for DXB to JNB ??????
Again, some shitty technical problem which even two level of senior escalations couldnt fix.
Ah, spent againt 1 hr waiting on it.
Eventually they managed to get the tags and the onward boarding pass printed and I am off to Immigration...........
Phew what a waste..........
By now I was at the airport for over 8hrs and already feeling tired, I slept for 45 mins on the chair at the celebrations lounge.......
Part III
More Misery to follow.................
It turns out that the boarding pass that I was given for DXB to JNB is for a window seat.....
I prefer Aisle and I originally webchecked in for Aisle only.......
I was told after all the turmoil that the best that Mumbai Emirates check in could do was that and I would need to speak up at the DXB Gates and REQUEST for alteration........
1:15 Dubai Time:
Every Cloud has a silver lining
I spoke to the Gate keeper at DXB. He checked my boarding pass and gave me the bad news
"Sir the flight is completely booked, Maybe you will have to request the passengers besides you and/or in front of you to swap"
That wasnt I was hoping for........but then, I was turning back to my waiting area when he called me again.
Sir your seat is a nice one, its in front of the Emergency Exit and you will have plenty of leg room. Moreover, you can walk out, without disturbing the other two seated besides you.
Moral Of the Story: I had plenty of heartburn, but then that is what I signed up for.......
At the end of the day, I have a FREE return ticket....
Count me foolish...
Count me Adventurous....
Count me street smart.......
I leave the decision to you !
1:25pm Dubai Time:
Boarding Announcement for DXB to JNB...... EK765, Gate 232, Terminal 3
Me off to boarding. Bye for now.
1:35Pm Dubai Time:
I have done the boarding formalities and made to wait downstairs from where a small ramp leads to the plane.
While I was boarding, the Junior Emirates Guy at the counter gave me another scare !!!!
The emirate guy tells me that, my baggage is not loaded!!!
Paramount Stress....
High BP.....
Trauma.........
More Anxiety.... I have it all
And then, he walks off to some senior person, two desks away, who checks the system and then gives him some bull shit....which he passes onto me
The agent comes back to me saying, (hesitantly) Sorry sir, now the system is updated.
Have a safe journey !!!!!
So now fingers crossed
Will need to find out what happens at the JNB arrival.
If I dont get my baggage, I am as per laws entitled to claim the rebate, I will probably be allowed to shop for a pair of clothes from JNB Duty Free for which they will reimburse.
I know my rights, I just hope I don't have to exercise them.
I am tired and have tons of work lined up than chase some stupid Emirates Guys for my misplaced Baggage.....
Fingers Crossed...
