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Naram-Garam Sahara - PNQ-DEL on S2-6162/Air Sahara (JetLite)

 
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malQ
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Joined: 20 Dec 2006
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Location: Delhi, India

PostPosted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 6:47 pm    Post subject: Naram-Garam Sahara - PNQ-DEL on S2-6162/Air Sahara (JetLite) Reply with quote

Naram and Garam Sahara is the way I would describe this episode. Naram and garam as good words, for the warmth and cordiality at every step of the Air Sahara people experience. Naram and garam otherwise, for the non-functional aircon on board and the signs of sloppiness as well as wear and tear on the aircraft. But hey, I will continue using Air Sahara on domestic sectors if their routes, schedules and prices match. On 737s. As simple as that. Whether they are called JetLite or anything else. They have warm people working for them. People like you and me, mostly.

And the most important thing - the air-conditioner didn't work. Throughout. In the air and on the ground. Now that's hot!

So, on to the flight report. S2-6162 operates as a very interesting flight, and I have been wanting to get on it for some time, but somehow never had the guts to do so. What's so hot about a flight that it requires guts, you ask? Well, being cooped up inside a CRJ for over 5 hours, for one. And doing the rounds of summer hot India, for another. And finally, on Air Sahara, with all its recent upheavals. Main thing going in for the decision also was that the fare was the lowest for Pune-Delhi that day, at 4000/- rupees, almost half of what the LCCs were charging, and about 30% to 40% of what the full service carriers were at. If there were seats available, that is.

As things emerged, it wasn't half bad, in fact it was fun. Got three meals. And I got to take a lot of photographs, most of which are up at http://www.flickr.com/photos/vm2827/ though I do wish Air Sahara would clean their windows oftener. Still, if a plane has already done Delhi - Nagpur - Hyderabad - Pune before I got on board for the return leg, then I guess I really shouldn't complain about the state of the windows, the dusty plains of India are what we see mostly.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vm2827/473686388/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vm2827/473746307/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vm2827/474218470/



So there I was, tracking this inbound flight, which left Delhi over an hour late. That made me slightly relaxed about the whole thing, despite Sahara/Pune telling me that, Sir, the flight is on time. Ithus left office in Pune around 1315, and so I reached Pune's Lohegan Airport at just about 1400 for a 1430 departure, to find the check-in counter close to shutting down. Well, it was a very rapid x-ray for the baggage, and a quick check-in, pre-blocked on the emergency row window starboard side, 8-F in this case. Gave the Sahara lounge at Pune a miss, there wasn't enough time, but bought a book from the excellent magazine stall at PNQ. Pune's airport is what is called a "Civilian Enclave" in a Defence Airport, and so I refrain from taking photos here, though I believe the restriction has now been lifted within the terminal building. That doesn't prevent the Airport Authorities to continue with the "photography prohibited" signs, I shall have them up in the next report, for sure. The terminal looks so good now. Who said that AAI can not run an airport? (I used to say that, but I think I changed my mind now, and believe otherwise.)

Security was light, because there was only one more flight leaving, SpiceJet direct for Delhi, running about an hour late. Air Sahara's rather shabby looking CRJ, VT-SAR, with paintwork in dire need of doing up, awaited the 40-odd passengers boarding mainly for Hyderabad and Nagpur, with a few of us for Delhi too. And what do you know, we were doors closed at 1415, and moving at 1417, aloft a few minutes later. Pilot in a hurry, in "get home quick" mode, but on a CRJ it feels so much faster. Because you are so much closer to the ground. Go-karting on 28, turn left, and head Southish for Hyderabad instead of Northish for Delhi.

Briefing for passengers was done after we had taken off, and seatbelts were off. Nobody briefed me on the emergency seat procedures throughout the flight, all three sectors. It was all soft-drinks served in open glasses, a full lunch, and not enough time for tea/coffee. Before we knew it, we were in Hyderabad, where the temperature was 38 degrees Centigrade but felt like a lot more. Almost 30 people got off, and that left about a dozen of us on the plane. I kept busy taking photos through the windows as well as from the steps. Spotted the Poonawalla private jet departing around the time we arrived.

Hung around on the tarmac for an hour with doors open, and then around 30 minutes after that doors closed, awaiting take-off clearance of whatever. Airborne 1635, and uneventful flight to Nagpur. Meal service was a Subway sandwich, with a chocolate brownie. The Subway was far better than the one we get ex-DEL. The brownie was far worse. Approaches Nagpur, a strange thing happened, the plane took a sudden dive and then increased power into the dive. After that there was no problem. Maybe the Captain woke up. Once we landed, I saw the co-pilot headed for the toilet, she didn't look too happy either.

The old Continental 707 still stands in the middle of Nagpur's airport, rotting away, you can now see the old paint breaking through. I think it has been there for 15-20 years now. One can even see the word "Atlanta" coming ou below the paint. Hmmmmm. This airline lasted for, what, 4 days or something, when it came into India?

Quick turnaround at Nagpur, there was no other civilian aircraft present, though the IAF biggies and the planes for our spooks were parked in their respective corners. One thing about the perimeter around Nagpur Airport - it is vast. It was 42 degrees Centigrade when we landed at 1730 and probably hotter when we took off at 1800 with a full load, not a seat empty, for Delhi.

Got a third meal, South Indian this time, though sambar is not a smart choice on board. It drips and sloshes. A lady in the seat in front of me who boarded at Nagpur was sulking, so she argued with the guy sitting next to her, who had nowhere else to go. It became dark soon, and I missed a sunset shot since I was on the other side. And before we knew it, we were in Delhi, temperature reporting 39 degrees centigrade, and no congestion, straight on the big runway from the East onto 10, and then into a bay that was not too far from the rest of the world. Some of the new bays in Delhi are so far, you feel you are going to another State. By road. That is a fact. Part of the Eastern side perimeter road is what used to be NH-8 when I was young. Maybe some rocks there still have my initials etched on them?

Met some of the ground staff from Sahara who knew me. And then there was the airport bus. It had sofas!! Got my baggage quickly, and then headed for the usual chaos of the taxi line. Though we landed at 1930, it was just about past 2100 by the time I reached home in South Delhi. Almost 8 hours, door to door. On a CRJ, mostly.

I would not do this again. Then again, on a few winter fog delay occasions, with diversions, it has taken me almost the same or even more. But it just feels better and easier on a 320 or 737. And the air-conditioning should work. Here it didn't. I shall try to stay off these old CRJs.

(I am now headed for SFO next week, via LHR, on VS, and shall present that trip report as well as photos, before getting back to the DEL-PNQ reports)


Last edited by malQ on Wed May 09, 2007 9:55 am; edited 2 times in total
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Aiel
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 9:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice TR.

Whats the story behind the Continental B707 in Nagpur. Any more info?
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shivendrashukla
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 9:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice TR.

Btw if i am correct that Continental was an Indian Startup??

Cheers
Shivendra
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HAWK21M
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 1:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

shivendrashukla wrote:
Nice TR.

Btw if i am correct that Continental was an Indian Startup??

Cheers
Shivendra

Are you talking about Sam Verma's Fleet of Two F27s Smile
regds
MEL
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the_380
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 1:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

And yet another article by malQ Very Happy Im a fan of his writing, trust me...
Great TR...
regards
AVijeet
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malQ
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 4:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vm2827/474207553/

This is the best I could get on the Atlanta plane at Nagpur.
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himmat01
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 4:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A nice report.

I loved these kind of hopping flights. I remember flying BOM-DEL via Aurangabad, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaipur on IC B732s in the 1980s.

The a/c at Nagpur is a Boeing 720 and not a Boeing 707. (Not much of a diff. between the two.) It flew for Continental Aviation on BOM-DEL sector in 1991 for about a week before it was withdrawn from service and parked at BOM. It was moved to Nagpur because the parking fees at BOM were higher.

Continental Aviation settled for a couple of F-27s later.
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shivendrashukla
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PostPosted: Fri May 04, 2007 11:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

HAWK21M wrote:
shivendrashukla wrote:
Nice TR.

Btw if i am correct that Continental was an Indian Startup??

Cheers
Shivendra

Are you talking about Sam Verma's Fleet of Two F27s Smile
regds
MEL


Yaa same..

Cheers
Shivendra
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andrew
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PostPosted: Tue May 08, 2007 12:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yup same airline. Indian start up having bummed the US name. Had 2 x F27s operating BOM - PNQ and a few other locations for 2 years or so. I flew them often - once even on a crew seat when they had over booked the flight and tried to bump me off.

I heard their Jet was going to be a 727 not a 707. Was going to do BOM DEL, but was impounded in Nagpur when they didnt pay bills/ customs?
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HAWK21M
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PostPosted: Tue May 08, 2007 1:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

His 2nd F27 never got flying due to some regulations not complied with.
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MEL
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