Nov 1, 2010

the airport again

yesterday we arrived at the airport at 12:00 for check in with Feeder Airlines.  before leaving the counter I asked what time the plane would depart and the guy said 3:30.  we confirmed this several times before deciding to go get lunch. from past experience and talking to others who have flown that flight, the airline generally leaves around 4 or 4:30 so we decided to return at 2:30.  i went and had lunch, then decided to stop for a hair cut, what else does one do while waiting for Feeder Airlines?  in this particular saloon, the guy cutting hair was a master with the electronic razor, snipping and buzzing while he sculptured my hair to perfection.  probably the most detailed hair cut and the customer service and pride in their job puts great clips to great shame. anyway, back to the airport about 2:45 and they tell us the plane already left. i said you told us the plane would leave at 3:30...but there is never any compassion. why did you leave the airport, they responded?  i said because you told us you were leaving at 3:30.  response, but it didn't leave at 3:30, it left early.  it's like trying to reason with a crocodile and having spent significant amount of time in africa, i should know better than to ever take a time serious. however, how many times does something happen early? especially an airplane departure.  the african skies are notorious for delays and canceled flights...and even early departures.  and people will tell you anything...there are no electronic boards indicating arrival and departure times, only what some guy tells you.  what does he know? he just makes it up.  there are not time tables for domestic flights.  some stay are some what standard schedules and are predictable, others, random and willy nilly.

then to add insult to injury, this morning we went to the airport to attempt to get a ticket with Sudan Airways, which was arriving from Khartoum and would fly onward to Malakal.  after attempting to get a ticket, the airline told us that they plane can't leave Khartoum because they are not releasing fuel.  so no flight today.  meanwhile, people are packed into the waiting room, expecting to fly today...but they will not be told...oh no, said the airline representative...then they will get angry.  we will not tell them until later. 

so there it is, you just never know.  and as the north - south relationship continues to deteriorate in the run up to the referendum, this fuel issue is just the tip of the iceberg. 

i am in no way condoning the travel on any airlines mentioned. travel at your own risk and adventure.  do not expect to depart on time, arrive on time or receive a bag of peanuts. you must be able to sit back and relax as the plane takes off, flies and lands.  you must not have a vivid imagination, at least not one that you take seriously or you will have a panic attack. as long as you have a good book and can ignore the body odor and rancid airline smells, the stuffy suffocating heat as the plane sits on the runway, the lack of personal space and constant bumps of people...just get lost in your book or your own happy place...and you'll be ok ;)      

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