Just got into Newark after flying nonstop from Mumbai. The journey of 16 hrs. was uneventful, yet interesting. Most people just cannot imagine how anyone can undertake a nonstop flight of 16 hours, which means you're likely to be inside the aircraft for over 17 hours.
I was flying Continental after several years. hadn't used Conti, ever since Air India had introduced a nonstop flight from Mumbai to New York. Now since that flight goes via New Delhi, I was flying Conti from Mumbai to Newark. The flight was scheduled to take 16 hrs and we got in an hour earlier.
My daughter who left for a field trip, a couple of days before put this journey into perspective, when she mentioned how lucky I was to have just a 16 hour trip and would reach the US, when it would take her longer to reach Madhya Pradesh for a field trip. Yes, we have come a long way from the 24+ hours it would take.
The flight takes off on time, just before midnight. By the time the plane levels off, and dinner is served, yet another hour goes by. In seat the personal entertainment system offers, video on demand. The collection of over 100 movies and 100 shows, and games, and ... means you have entertainment choices sufficient for several flights. I watch a movie and by the time, its over, we have just around 14 hours to go. The exact position, time left, height, temperature and the countries we're overflying is available on the Live Map.
The good thing about this night flight is that you're quite tired after a full day of work. And so, you get a good nights sleep as soon as you try. 6 hours later, I awaken with sounds of movement in the cabin. It’s the breakfast service and we have 8 hours to go. Had breakfast, saw another movie, a couple of coffees, and by now, we just have 6 hours to go. Time for another nap. And before I know it, I awaken with movement in the cabin. Its time for lunch, although it'll be 7 am in a few hours when we land. I guess they call it lunch, because its served after what they called breakfast.
The flight touched down almost an hour before schedule. The lines at Immigration took 1 hour and 20 minutes. Yes, you read right, 80 minutes in a line awaiting your turn to go through Immigration. It was fascinating to see all the people who keep grumbling about lines in India, criticizing our systems even when they have to wait 5 minutes, patiently and uncomplainingly standing in a line, with no attempts to do the great India line breaking trick. A couple near me had a connecting flight they were getting late for. The wife egged the husband to go check if they could be given priority and jump the queue. The lady supervising the lines firmly told him to get back in line, else he would be sent back to the end of the line.
Ironically, for most of us when in the US, officers remarks are firm, in India, the same gets called rude. I love the US, their systems and processes. And I love the way they enforce discipline, without prejudice or bias. If only, we could learn to be as disciplined, and behave the way we do abroad when we are back in India.
Fortunately, the rest of the processes of collecting baggage, customs, checking in again, security, were relatively faster and here I'm sitting at the gate awaiting boarding with around an hour to go. Another 6 hour flight to San Francisco, but relativity kicks in and its 1/3rd of the flying time I just completed. So it can't be too bad.
My daughter who left for a field trip, a couple of days before put this journey into perspective, when she mentioned how lucky I was to have just a 16 hour trip and would reach the US, when it would take her longer to reach Madhya Pradesh for a field trip. Yes, we have come a long way from the 24+ hours it would take.
The flight takes off on time, just before midnight. By the time the plane levels off, and dinner is served, yet another hour goes by. In seat the personal entertainment system offers, video on demand. The collection of over 100 movies and 100 shows, and games, and ... means you have entertainment choices sufficient for several flights. I watch a movie and by the time, its over, we have just around 14 hours to go. The exact position, time left, height, temperature and the countries we're overflying is available on the Live Map.
The good thing about this night flight is that you're quite tired after a full day of work. And so, you get a good nights sleep as soon as you try. 6 hours later, I awaken with sounds of movement in the cabin. It’s the breakfast service and we have 8 hours to go. Had breakfast, saw another movie, a couple of coffees, and by now, we just have 6 hours to go. Time for another nap. And before I know it, I awaken with movement in the cabin. Its time for lunch, although it'll be 7 am in a few hours when we land. I guess they call it lunch, because its served after what they called breakfast.
Ironically, for most of us when in the US, officers remarks are firm, in India, the same gets called rude. I love the US, their systems and processes. And I love the way they enforce discipline, without prejudice or bias. If only, we could learn to be as disciplined, and behave the way we do abroad when we are back in India.
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