tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007509643610309350.post8180095564138999564..comments2024-01-22T10:47:38.507+05:30Comments on As I Please: A Trip to the ValleyRahul Basuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751088048215388592noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007509643610309350.post-4782247663077046462009-07-20T15:26:52.996+05:302009-07-20T15:26:52.996+05:30Last week on the way to the airport there, I was c...Last week on the way to the airport there, I was caught in a traffic jam. At ten minutes before the counter closed I got off the car and ran. I had to pass through security just as I got into the airport gates. This was thorough but quick. In the departure hall I had to scan (again) and check in my precious hand baggage. Didn't have the time to argue about it. Security at the boarding gate was also efficient and quick. By the time I got through it, the checked in baggage had arrived for identification. I had time to get a coffee before we boarded. I found the security obtrusive but efficient. The airport and airlines ground staff were also efficient. This could have been because I was the last in.<br /><br />Interestingly, I bought a bottle of water at the kiosk inside the secure area of the boarding gate but was not allowed to carry it on the craft. Since I'd not broken the seal on it, the security personnel told me that I could return the bottle. The sales person at the kiosk took it back and returned my money without question; this probably happens very often.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07599659948834147630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007509643610309350.post-46992824742029757182009-07-15T16:39:52.870+05:302009-07-15T16:39:52.870+05:30Ah ha! The issue of hand baggage at Srinagar airpo...Ah ha! The issue of hand baggage at Srinagar airport :) (Hand Baggage is allowed on the Delhi-Srinagar flight). <br /><br />1. I don't carry my laptop on vacations (or at least try not to!) and in fact didn't.<br /><br />2. I checked in my backpack (unlocked!) after removing the camera. The latter is then scanned <i>and</i> hand checked. <br /><br />3. In principle, if you are persistent you can carry your hand bag with you. You then have to scan it and then get every bit of it opened and inspected manually which takes for ever. (and of course there is a long line for it). So most people prefer not to, except the die-hards. Those with laptops with at least a cover on them had just taken them out and carried them in their hands. <br /><br />4. You also have to go and identify your checked-in baggage which also takes for ever since it arrives ever so slowly.<br /><br />5. Moreover, before <i>all this</i> your car and baggage is scanned by the army half a kilometer before the airport. You off load your baggage from the car get it (and yourself) all scanned and then load it back into the car. <br /><br />As you might guess, all this takes about a couple of hours....Rahul Basuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07751088048215388592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007509643610309350.post-26813169565310524072009-07-15T16:25:35.601+05:302009-07-15T16:25:35.601+05:30Did you have to put your laptop in your checked in...Did you have to put your laptop in your checked in bag? Or maybe you took a REAL holiday and decided not to take your laptop with you. In which case the same question about your camera.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07599659948834147630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007509643610309350.post-67124873624343878752009-07-12T19:14:41.210+05:302009-07-12T19:14:41.210+05:30A very large number, Lucknow downwards and passing...A very large number, Lucknow downwards and passing through Varanasi, Allahabad, Kanpur and so on to much smaller ones...Rahul Basuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07751088048215388592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007509643610309350.post-52693651553139702492009-07-12T13:53:44.253+05:302009-07-12T13:53:44.253+05:30Srinagar is clearly in much better shape that almo...<i>Srinagar is clearly in much better shape that almost any U.P. town that I have passed through, none of which have known the kind of violence Srinagar has.</i><br /><br />Hmm! Reeeally? And which U.P. towns have you passed through ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007509643610309350.post-54438273558944346622009-07-12T13:42:20.926+05:302009-07-12T13:42:20.926+05:30OLO: I was wondering why all was quiet on AIP. G...OLO: I was wondering why all was quiet on AIP. Glad to know you had a pleasant holday.Ananthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12974808252913561726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007509643610309350.post-80400273532569833812009-07-12T09:48:02.167+05:302009-07-12T09:48:02.167+05:30Glad you had a nice holiday. Thanks for the snaps ...Glad you had a nice holiday. Thanks for the snaps and writeup. Good reminders of days gone by yet not so. :).AmOKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351322682932613136noreply@blogger.com