My First Flight. BOM-DEL SpiceJet #851

Dt : 06 Juy 2011.

As a kid living in Antop Hill I always had one dream to travel some day  in that huge white thing which has a few twinkling  lights,two wings a tail  and makes a lot of noise ,that which attracts everyone's attention and which puts the fastest of birds in the sky to shame.....an Aeroplane .

As time passed by I went on working hard in life to achieve that and many other dreams.But subsequently  life became more and more stagnant with everyday being a routine and nothing interesting to look forward to.So when I was asked to fly to Delhi to get my work visa I was very excited.

I had an interview at 1115 hrs in Delhi on 5 July and after exploring a lot of options I finally decided to fly on the morning of 5 July .The only risk was that I may be late if there are delays.After exploring all flight options I finally was booked on Spice Jet flight for both the to and fro journeys.

So the TO  flight (SpiceJet 851) was scheduled for morning 0550 hrs .I was happy that  I finally booked the flight but was surprised when I read the rules.You need to check in 2 hours before the flight   departure. After a little research I was made to understand that you can check in 45 mins before the flight which would be the final cut off time.

For a first timer like me it was important to reach the airport in time to avoid last minute running around.For that matter I had never been to the Mumbai airport before and had to ensure that I report at  the right terminal and in time.In Mumbai the domestic terminals are divided into terminals 1A and 1B.All the low cost airlines(SpiceJet,Indigo etc.) depart from trminal 1B and that is where I had to report.

I booked a Meru cab for  0300 hrs to avoid any delays .In hindsight it was too early a start as I reached the airport in 45 mins . Along with Papa ,we went around the airport observing people and procedures .Finally the checkin began and I went in to the security gate at around 0415 hours when the crowd started gathering in.Once the security checked my ticket printout  and PAN card I was allowed into the airport.
[Background music in my head at this time : Jane na Kaha wo duniya hain ...janne na wo hain bhi nahi...Jahan meri zindagi mujhse itni khafa nahi...{somehow the airport scene of Jane tu ya Jane na was goin on in my mind}]

As I had read a few articles on the net before ,I knew that I had to go the Spice Jet window and get my boarding pass.I went there tagged my baggage and got my boarding pass.As I had reached  in early I got a window seat(27A).The attendant asked me to go to Gate 6 to board the flight.I followed the instructions got myself and my baggage screened and went ahead to the waiting room.

I didnt know where next to go and what next to do .So I went in there and took a  chair and behaved as if I had been there and done that n number of times.I though got the feeling that a couple of people could tell that there was something unusual about my behaviour ;-).Ignoring them I started observing things around me.Eateries and book shops were thronged by people .Some sat calmly reading newspapers.Suddenly I heard an announcement calling people for a Hyderabad flight to reach the gate.I was relieved that I was at the right place !!!.Within seconds I found the TV displaying flight info and was happy to know the boarding details of my flight.The boarding gate number was on the pass and TV were different .I checked around to find if both the gates were accessible to me .There they were next to each other.I knew I was safe.



Waiting for close to an hour was boring.I picked up a newspaper but could not read much due to anxiety.Two things were unusual the early morning travel  and the chilling AC(I had forgotten what an AC meant as the one in office is always set to 25 deg or more ....) .Add to that the fact that I was traveling long distance alone for the first time in my life.It was a different feeling altogether and there were more to come.

So when the boarding sign was flashed I joined the queue and followed them as all of them seemed quite experienced .A SpiceJet bus was waiting outside .I boarded the bus and once full it took you  to the flight.Next few minutes were mind boggling.You could see flights taking off from the runway .Lights glittering on them .It was dawn and the setting was perfect .For the first time in a couple of years I regretted not having a camera phone with me.Nevertheless I  started capturing those moments in my mind.The plane was huge and it looked like  monster.The sound of the roaring engines was deafening .

Flight attendants welcomed us on-board .I started searching for seat no(27 A). and as I found the  window of 27 I saw a newly wed couple occupying the window and the next seat.I immediately complained to them that it was my seat.But popat ho gaya.He told me that my seat 27A was on the opposite side and that it was his seat 27D.I found that he was right and that I had missed the 'A' part of the seat number.I finally took my window seat.I just took time to understand the seat belt locling and then gazed out of the window.
[Background music in my head at this time : kaise mujhe tum(window seat) mil gayi..kismat pe aaye na yakkeen..{somehow the Ghajini scene was going on in my mind at this tym when Asin sells her Ambassadors and Aamir has to immediately fly....it was Mumbai airport...}] .

Once in the flight it was time to experience the takeoff .I was curious to know what was the feeling during a take off.I familiarized with the people around me .A big group of around  100 people were traveling to Amarnath{flight was bound to Jammu via dehi}.Sagli marathi mansa.Suddenly it felt like a Mumbai local.I conversed with a few and helped them with seat numbers now.the flight attendants started with security instructions once all were seated.

The flight was ready for take off at 0550 hours on time .The speed was zapping on the runway and as it traveled a few seconds it suddenly lifted off the ground and into the skies.It felt like a ride in Essel World with more speed and of course more height.The slums looked beautiful for the first time and then the sea and then the clouds.wow beautiful.!!!!!!.After half an hour the clouds didn't excite too much .The air hostess were less beautiful and more paint .But a foreigner couple cozying in each others company in seats  26A,26B kept my eyeballs busy for sometime.But eventually tiredness took over and I fell asleep.I woke up just minutes before landing to have look at Delhi from the top.Somehow got the feeling that there were less buildings and more empty spaces/fields  here.The lady in 26B made eye contact,smiled  and apologized for something.It didn't matter what she said coz she was so beautiful and.........

The plane landed in Delhi few minutes prior to schedule .I got off the flight and boarded the bus which took me to terminal 1D.At the Delhi airport I saw a lot of private planes apart from the usual passenger ones.Finally I  left the terminal and completed Leg1 of the journey.A long cherished dream accomplished and few new ones were created on this day.

What happened in Delhi is equally exciting .Keep watching this space for Leg 2 (Chalo Dillli ) of the journey.Till then .njoiii  reading My Heart ....


Trivia:When was the last time that you heard background music in your life as experienced by the author? ...