I stopped flying 10 years ago because it was too difficult to get through airports. I couldn’t make contact with the airline staff because of my carry-on baggage.
Otherwise, have you ever seen a TSA agent smile? Or experienced anything but surly grunts from an airport worker? American airports are a necessary travail for Americans who absolutely, positively must fly for business. But if you’re going to take the family across the country, I recommend you drive.
In India, it’s even worse. Long lines run from one end of the airport to the other. Lines at security and baggage screening are long.
India has 1.4 billion inhabitants. Are people trying to flee Delhi?
Mad queues at Delhi airport for security checks, add last minute quote jumpers, plan and reach early. Post security check it’s a relief. #delhi #airport #queue https://t.co/QOaGw130KL pic.twitter.com/z6qyALsTZv
— balamahajan (@balamahajan) December 12, 2022
This is planned chaos. There is a separate corridor kept exclusively for those who opt for #DigiYatra #Aadhaar. Obviously because there are few takers now, there is hardly any waiting.
Setting the stage, so people succumb. https://t.co/AqSaBQBhut— Viswanath L (@bulletmanV) December 10, 2022
Digiyatra can solve many problems. There have been some issues with Digiyatra so it is still not available for use.
Digiyatra does not work! Downloaded. All verified on the phone. And…the actual machines do not work at T3 Delhi Airport. The queue is empty. While the others are packed. @JM_Scindia @ministry_CA Please help. pic.twitter.com/dIA6MgScwa
— Rudra C (@Rudra_81) December 11, 2022
The Quint
How did we get to this point? Depending on who you ask, the reasons behind the delay can vary.
1. According to The Indian Express this year, tourists have increased in number. Since the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hospitalization rates has fallen.
2. Moneycontrol reported Terminal 1’s expansion has resulted in more passengers flying through Terminal 3
3. Passengers pointed out technical glitches as the reason, noting that scanners at check-in were having difficulty scanning barcodes.
Another absurdity is that the security trays where passengers can put their phones and wallets onboard the plane are only one-size.
The government continues to work and there is every chance they will make things worse or find new ways of making people mad.
Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday issued several directives that are supposed to ease congestion at major Indian airports amid the passenger rush ahead of Christmas break.
The Times of India
“Held a detailed discussion with heads of all major Indian airports, CISF (which manages airport security) and immigration officials on capacities deployed and those required at every point to process domestic and international passengers smoothly through the peak travel season,” Scindia tweeted. He said plans for peak-hour capacity will be worked out, based on passenger processing capacity at each major airport. Landing cards will be distributed on board and filled up prior to arrival, so as to minimize queues at immigration counters. Scindia also directed “capacity augmentation of security manpower and hand baggage screening”, besides assessment of x-ray capacity for baggage.
Following his announcement, Mumbai International Airport Ltd issued a passenger advisory asking them to reach at least 3. 5 and 2. 5 hours before international and domestic flights, respectively, “to allocate additional time for travel-related formalities and mandatory security protocols”.
“Allocate additional travel time?” George Orwell is still around, and India should consider “travel-related formalities” when they wait in line for hours to board a plane. ”
If I ever have to go through an airport again I will seriously consider taking a bus or — death be not proud — Amtrak. Anything to avoid the prospect of being trapped in serpentine lines at an airport before being trapped in a huge, metal cylinder flying 600 MPH at 30,000 feet.
I chose the wrong time to stop drinking.
