Hmmm, this was the news for which I was waiting since 2.5 yrs. I had a soft corner in my heart to visit U.S. specially in PepsiCo CoE office. Reason was that I was working with CoE people from long time. I already informed same to my manager also that it will be better if I go U.S. than any other country. As I already visited atleast one country of Asia, Middle East, Europe, South America so now its turn of North America.
On Monday, 7th Sept 2009 it was decided by me and my manger that I have to travel on Tuesday 8th Sept, I have very less time to prepare my self for Journey. Like ticket, Hotel Reservation, insurance activation, final travel signed off from Travel desk, washing cloths and Ironed them.
1st thing which come to my mind is that "I don't have Think Pad Authorization letter". I thought I shlould collect that one first. A person who was responsible for TP Authorization letter has mailed me long back to collect letters from his desk but I forgot to collect. I thought If I'm going to mail him, there is highly chance that he will not reply soon. Without wasting my time I called that guy, he told me come to BCS ( another office in Kolkata) and collect you letter.
In mean time I raised the Travel Request for Ticket( This is process in my company to get Ticket done by Agency).
When I was going to BCS, My manager asked me, have you booked the Hotel for your stay. I told him , Yes I will do it once I'll get ticket ( This was required as I have to know when I'm landing). In mean time I called one of my colleague( Arghadeep) who was there in Chicago few month back to know which Hotel will be best for Stay. He told book in Club Quarters, this hotel is very near to office.
I collect my TP authorization letter and come back as fast as possible to see whether Amex ( A Travel Agency who is responsible for booking tickets) has mailed the ticket or not.
Once I reached at my desk , I opened my mail box, but didn't find any mail from Amex, now it was already 12.40 p.m. Without wasting any time I escalated this matter and come to my desk with lots of thing in my mind. Suddenly I scrolled up and saw there is a mail from Amex atleast 30 minute ago. Actually I missed this mail as I was not expecting that Amex will mail me as High Importance Category.
I read the mail and in that they have suggested to travel on 8th but that time was seems to me on 7th itself as flight was on 00.05 am. I dropped another mail saying that please book the ticket on 8th evening not too early morning on 8th.
I rushed toward another floor where Arghadeep used to sit to for Hotel Reservation. In mean time I got call form Amex Travel agency that there is no other flight on 8th from Kolkata. I was already aware that there is no flight on 8th evening from Kolkata. In morning I already searched on MakeMyTrip to find suitable flight. I told agent that please go ahead and book from Delhi or Bombay only keep in mind that waiting time should not be longer than 4 or 5 hrs.
Once call was over I found myself at Arghadeep's floor. We both called Hotel and then got answer that we will take any reservation request after 5.30 A.M. As we have called around 1:40 P.M. I.S.T. it was night in US.
Same time Shadab was calling me for lunch as we use to go for lunch together this year . ( :P ). I run to my desk and checked my mail till that time I got my new itinerary. This new route was from Kolkata-Bombay-Franfurt-Chicago. Although we have direct flight from Delhi to Chicago I don't know why they have suggested this route. May be this route was cheaper than Delhi to Chicago.
Without wasting any time I gave a go ahead signal for reservation. There was one more thing in my mind that I have never been at Bombay Airport. Last time when I was going to Switzerland then Flight was from Delhi. So I thought lets go Via Bombay this time. Now it was almost 2:20 and our Lunch time almost over. Myself and Shadab went for lunch although It was raining very slowly.
Once I back from lunch, I got e-ticket and now started last offical thing which we use to call Insurance activation and Travel signed off shit ( This is Company specific) I did and submitted to Travel desk.Till that time it was almost 4 P.M. Now one main thing was there that is Hotel Reservation. I called Arghadeep again fro reservation and then he told me that He is not in office and will come at around 4:30 . I thought 4:30 is not a big deal , I'll do reservation at 4:30 only. Then I decided to go for a cup of Tea and as usual after taking a tea from Vending m/c I went to meet my other project member and told them now I'm almost completed all formalities except the Hotel booking and ready to fly.
Once question come up from Seba Da ( Our Deliver manager):
Seba Da: Dada Packing ho gaya
Pavan: No
Seba Da: To kya flight pe baithane ke baad karogo
Anyways that was serious question because I need to do packing also. And worst thing that just two day ago I bought a Cloths for Trouser and gave for stitch. Cloths itself cost me around INR 3,500. So I feel sad when I realised that I will not be able to carry that trouser. But suddenly Anirban ( One of my colleague in Pepsico Project itself) gave me idea that one more guy is suppose to go on Chicago on 21st . So I can request him to carry trouser. I requested him and he was ready.
Now it was almost 5 P.M. and I told my colleagues that even all my cloths are dirty and I need to wash. Everybody looked at me and one thing come out from their moths, so what the hell you are doing here go and do the packing. I realized same and rush to my desk again .
I called arghadeep again and this time he was in office. We reserve the hotel for 1 month. He told me write the Booking reference number. I told him better you mail/Ping me. This was again a mistake I should write the Booking number.
Now I complete everything which I need to do from office. Now its time to go home and complete other remaining things.
Now its almost 6:30 P.M. and it was raining. I was very much confused whether I should wash my cloths or not. I asked several people like a Kid, "whether should I wash my cloths or not as It is already evening on 7th". Finally decided that I'm going to wash my cloths and try to dry it with help of Fan. almost every people are saying that don't wash as you have little time but there was only one guy , Praveen who was saying go ahead:
"Arre wash kijiye na ji sukh jayega..aap to bekar ka itna dimag laga rahe hai...".
I repeated my old dialogue,
"Mai pahle Algo banata hoon then ecxecute karta hoon" . Let me analyze situation first.
Finally I did the same and manage to hang all cloths under three fans in different different room in night.
As I was not aware what is temperature there in Chicago, I dropped a mail to Pravesh ( On-site GD Conrdinator of My Project) before laving the office to wash to cloths, saying that Please let me know your contact number, Its urgent.
We all at offshore don't have his cell number. I don't know actual reason. Early he used to picked up the phone on his personal number but suddenly he stopped sharing his cell number with offshore people.
Once I came back to office after washing the cloths it was already around 9:30 P.M. I got one mail from Pravesh with his contact number ( Which I was not expectiong) . I called him to understand about weather and how to go from Airport to Hotel. I also asked if he needs anything from India.
Now It was 11 p.m. and decide to to go to Praveen's rented home ( This year I used to go to Praveen Rented home for sleep instead of my place).
At 8th Sept early morning I decided to go my rented home to do some packing as I have flight on 8.40 P.M. same day from Kolkata ( CCU) to Bombay then from Bombay to Frankfurt and finally Frankfurt to Chicago, IL USA.
I went to my rented home around 6.30 A.M. and do packing withing 1 hrs and then suddenly I pressed the T.V. remote and press channel 30. This was AajTak channel and a news was flashing on bar about Jet Airways 400 Pilots on strike, 132 flight cancel...etc...
I always has better luck with me :(. My flight was also on Jet Airways from Kolkata to Bombay. I got confused/Tensed , whatever you will say for few second and one thing comes out from my mouth. "Ohh God , again problem, anyways and I told guy beside me that
"Bhagwan mujhe problem mai is liye dalte hai becuase he knows mai tension nahi leta hoon ". May be this was positive note to motivate myself.
Why I told like that because when last time I was traveling to Brazil via Dubai , I stopped at Dubai Airport saying that my visa of Brazil is not valid and returned back to Kolkata ( You will find in next blog).
I went again Praveen's palce and it was now around 8:00 am on 8th Sept 2009. I checked and found that now cloths are in state that we can Iron them. And then suddenly rain started . As I was worried about flight I decided to go to office although it was raining. I took all the cloths and thought that I'll give them to Washer man to do the Iron.
I reached office at 9.00 A.m and first thing I does that I called Travel Agency that today is the Jet Airways strike and I have ticket on Jet. Please suggest me what should I do.
They suggested me to call Jet Airways to get confirmation. I told them could you please arrange other alternative as I can see that seat is available in Kingfisher flight from Kolata to Bombay. They told "Sir if we do the cancellation, Airlines is not going to return the Money".
I thought okay, lets call Jet Airways. I opened the Jet Airways site and found their 24*7 call center number 33 3989 3333.
I called their and after 8 minute wait call was transfered to one call center lady. I told I have urgent meeting on 9th in Chicago and I have ticket from Kolkata to Bombay on Jet Airways. Could you please confirm that this flight is not going to be cancel. I have already checked that flight is not yet cancel.Response from other side was that "Sir we can't give you any confirmation, Please arrange other alternative if possible". We will refund you money.
Once I got this confirmation I called Travel desk again and told that Jet Airways saying that please arrange other alternative. Then travel agent lady is saying that sir this is not possible.Could you please let me know who told you that they will give your money back.
I told that I didn't ask her name.
Again travel agent lady asked , could you please arrange the name or any confirmation from Jet airways that they will return your money wit Zero cancellation charges.
I got mad, what the hell is going on. I told we are ready to pay, why are you not changing from Jet Airways to King Fisher.
Then She revert with "Sir please try to understand Jet Airways will not rerun your money"
I thought its enough , let me call your manager and call Jet Airways also. Now it was 11 A.M. and till now ticket is not yet finalized. I called thier manager and got information that yes it will be better to have confirmation from Jet Airways.
I thought okay, lets do it again: I called again Jet airways and they told "Yes sir for today only there is no cancellation charges" . I told could you please send me some email so that I'll be 100% assure.
Again Call center lady( Jet Airways) told "Sir if you want I can cancel you ticket now". I can't give any email confirmation from here. I told "no leave it, my travel agency need this , I don't know why".
If you don't mind could you please let me know your name so that I can inform my travel agency .
She replied but I couldn't hear properly . I requested to spell. Her name was "Itti". I know this was not original name but this name was enough for my purpose. She told that Jet Airways has already conveyed that today there is no cancellation charge to all travel agency with who they are doing business. I don't know why your travel agency asking for confirmation.
I shocked and mail travel agency with all conversation in detail with Jet Airways call center's lady name. And request please cancel the ticket on Jet airways and do the booking. My manager also written a mail to Travel agency to change the booking.
Now it was almost 1:30 p.m on 8th Sept and now its lunch time. It was raining heavily. so finally we end with Sandwiches and didn't go out for lunch.
Around 2:30 p.m. got mail from Travel Agency that As this Jet airways booking was along with Lufthansa, Jet Airways is not going to return any money. I called that guy and started shouted on him.
"If you know that Jet airways is not going to return Money, why you guys asked me to call Jet airways. And that is also twice".
Travel Agency guy is saying only Sorry. I told him, money is money although this is my company money,I will not let you waste my money. Please check with Airlines.
And again I rush to their manager ( Travel Agency) and escalated the matter. Then his manager called me and told that according to last update at 2:30 this flight is not going to be canceled.
That is reason we are not changing your flight. That Travel agency guy called me and told that "Sir I locked the seat on Kingfisher and Jet light also for worst case, but for time being this Kolkata to Bombay Jet Airways flight is on time and it is not yet canceled. Final update will be at 3:30 p,m.
I waited till 4:00 P.M., but there was no response from Travel Agency , I called again but that guy was not available, I called again after 10 minute. This time also that guy was nto available. I started shouting on the person who has picked up the phone, here is detail:
"Pavan: Hello, is it possible to convey a message to
Other Side: Yes sir why not.
Pavan: Told him that I was waiting for him from 3 p.m. and now its going to be 5:00 P.m. I'm going to Airport and if something wrong happened , like flight is cancel, then I'm not going to leave him just like this!! Understand!!!
Other Side: Yes sir"
I didn't stop and went to their manager that now tell me what the hell its happening. Now I'm waiting for his call to leave from office and I have flight today and he has not yet called me. Now its more than 5:00 p.m.
Then Travel agency manager told me that agent will call me only if flight will be canceled. They called again to Jet Airways and then Jet Airways confirm that Flight is on time. Travel agency suggested me to be in Airport as early as possible. Since there lots of flight getiing cancel there may be some over booking. To avoid any confusion better to take Boarding pass early and wait at Airport.
I came to my desk and thought instead of taking Boarding pass from airport lets do it online so that I will be on safer side. Once I tried to do it online, found that this online facility is closed for Today. Now there is no other way I have to go Airport early.
Then I relaised, ohh God!!! I need to take my cloths also from washer man, which I have given in the morning. Now it was water logging all around and a new headache started in my mind.
"What will be happen if the washer man shop will be closed, even I don't know his home".
Now with this fear in mind I say good bye to all the people who come in the way and me with Shadab started towards shop.
Anyways shop was not closed we collected the cloths and next problem is that I don't have room key.
Again I called my room mate to be there in room when I reach ( As I was late I don't wast to wait for anything more).
My room mate told me he is on the way and in AS3 bus( AS3 is bus which goes from Newtown to Garia Station). I requested him to get down from BUS as it will take long time to go Chingarighata although distance is very less almost 5 k.m. from my room mate office.
I told him, you get odwn near college more ( Place in Sector V salt lake Kolkata) and I'll pick you up as I hired taxi.
Finally around 6:10 p.m. I re
ached my home and does remaining packing and at 6:40 p.m. we started for Airport still have fear in mind that flight may cancel due to Pilot's Strike.(Me and Shadab on the way to Airport with lots of hope)
Once I reached airport and got boarding pass then I feel relief and my mind went in Relax State. I can't explain you the feeling. I closed my eyes say Thank you to God and Started thinking about Sharukh Khan dialogure of Om Shanti Om.
Aur aaj is baat ka bhi yakeen hogaya ,
hamare filmo ki tara hamare zindagi me bhi end tak sab thik hojata, HAAPIES ENDINGZ: Aur agar thik na ho to wo the end nahi hai picture abhi bhaki hai Mere dost
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