When the in-flight TV screen on the flight from Newark to Delhi (CO82) said "Time to Destination: 12.47", it did seem a bit daunting. But then you notice "Ground Speed: 598 miles/hr" and "Tailwind: 99 miles/hr" and the light at the end of the tunnel seems to get nearer. The Continental flight flew over or by Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Dushanbe and Kabul. The mountain ranges over Afghanistan looked menacing (much higher and ferocious looking than Rockies...)
The flight was pretty hectic - what with people pushing and shoving, piling up their luggage over yours in overhead bins, and generally being loud and boisterous! I guess for some it was a sweet trip home. But not so, for at least two people - they were being deported back on the orders of USCIS (formerly known as INS). Must have been painful for them...
Otherwise the flight was full - 235 in coach and 48 in first class. Its always interesting to overhear conversations in such a crowded mix - actually quiet a good mix of Indians and non-Indians. In the three rows that I counted around me, there were 9 white people out of 30 - all baby boomers. One of them visiting India for surgery.
Our flight attendant, Eric Mariani (one out of 12), was a very patient man putting up with demands for bassinets, hot milk for the babies, etc. in addition to providing regular services... He mentioned later that he has a background in Cultural Studies and enjoys working on this flight. But suggested that some of his Continental associates, used to a certain kind of "passenger behavior" should not be doing this flight to Delhi. When I asked why, he said that the passengers in this flight are very demanding - they finish their beverages even before the flight attendant has finished serving the next person and extend their hand out asking for more with a distinct lack of politeness; also, he said attendants can specifically remember people that say thank you, sir, ma'am, etc.; there are multiple "call button" calls on this flight as apposed to flights to Germany or Tokyo; he said he uses humor to diffuse situations when people are in his way asking for their 9th drink (I noticed passenger in 16A ordered "Johnny Walker" quiet a few times...)
I wonder why is it that many of us born in India are like this? Here is my hypothesis - I think many in India grow up thinking that people in services industry - waiters, porters, cab drivers, attendants, etc. are servants and hence treat them like that... India does have a very deeply entrenched caste system that is widely accepted, if not celebrated. From this acceptance of casteism stems a system that condones discrimination and inequality. So may be the explanation is that to an Indian eye people at the forefront of services industry are like peons and hence belong to a lower caste... but may be some sociologist can come up with a better explanation!
The food on the flight was better than the typical domestic airlines food (or the lack thereof) - you could pick a vegetarian meal, a Hindu meal, a Moslem meal, a Jain meal in addition to regular good old meat laden fare like "Chicken Cacciatore"! The yogurt container exploded on me at 37,000 ft - I am glad the 777's pressurizing system was working where I sat!
The sleep during the flight was hard to come by too - I counted 3 infants around my row that would start their shrieking spells either in tandem or consecutively... [Note to Self: Develop business idea for a childless long haul airlines...]
Bye for now, kali
5 comments:
glad you arrived safely but i must say no glasses and now sleepless in india - doesnt sound like you are off to a good start!!! I dont believe that all indians are pushy ( you are) but not all! seeya pal
RAZ
I think it is not just the way the Indians treat people who are serving them, but generally they are not VERY aware of the western sensibilities. And, that kind of behavior may come across as pushy and rude.
But, if you try to be too nice to people in India, you may be taken for a ride. So, choose your behavior carefully.
Bobby
from your flight experience it seems you are off to a traditional Indian start, pushy and demanding :) but as Bob rightly pointed out many are not even aware of western sensibilities
Hopefully you will see a better side in the homeland.
I remember Kali as a gentleman with a quick smile and a sense of humor. I even remember his seat, 43c, which, being near an oft-times noisy galley as well as the aft left lavatory, made it even more unusual that his pleasant demeanor never waned. It could have something to do with the fortunate fact that he was sitting adjacent to the prettiest girl on the flight, let's call her "43b", but let's not be cynical. I am proud to work for COntinentl Airlines which has won all the major awards, including the prestigious JD Powers award four consecutive times and is the only airline to ever win it back-to-back. Our flight attendants also took first place in the inflight category of the award and, in all humility, Fortune Magazine again recently named Continental as the World's most admired airline. I not the above because of a comment I made which needs clarification. Yes, there are many flight attendants, ill-equipped to handle the length of flight as well as the special interpersonal skills required to satisfy our customers on the New Delhi route, who should stick to destinations which do not require such diverse skills. However, the "many" are still in the minority. The majority of my associates are professional, polished, articulate, flexible, approachable, and educated. I am proud to be part of this elite group. Furthermore, although the customers of Indian descent can be demanding, they are as a group quick to react to a smile and a respectful sense of humor which does not demean but shows a joy of the job. I prefer working in coach (and the first-class customers prefer that I WORK in coach) because I can roll up my sleeves and be a bit more informal. I am never disappointed by the Indian customer when it comes to gratitude and the willingness to convey that gratitude both verbally and paralinguistically. Kudos to Kali, by the way, for a well-written article...get some rest!
Eric Mariani
Continental Airlines, Inflight
PS Did you ever get 43b's phone #?
I enjoyed your 1st video blog & look forward to hearing / seeing you & Leslie as you travel thru India! Red ;-)
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