Feb
16th, 2010 - So I've left Bangladesh and returned to
Himalaya Land (Nepal). My return was not without its tribulations. My
flight from Dhaka to Kathmandu was scheduled for 12:45 pm. I arrived at 10:30 am.
I took off at 9 pm. I arrived early because, well, I was in
Bangladesh. I stared at the departure screen for about an hour
waiting for the blank area next to my flight number to read 'Check
In' status. I waited near the counter to observe the GMG staff
manning their positions. I waited in vain. As my departure time drew
closer I began to become suspicious. I heard another gentleman on my
flight discussing GMG with an airport employee. He was directed to an
office. After about ten minutes I decided to follow. I met him coming
down the stairs at which time I learned that our flight had been
delayed……for six hours and fifteen minutes. Uh-huh. I too went to
the office and began an inquiry. I was told that the flight had been
'delayed' until 7 pm. Superb. I returned to the terminal and my new
friend and I had a bitch fest. He had given the airline his contact
info and cursed GMG for not notifying him. I did not have that excuse
but when I see a departure time on a computer screen I tend to think
a flight will leave. Stupid bastard.
I was
told there was another office in the terminal. Why not have two, just
to be safe? When I inquired within I was told that the decision had
been made the night before, not this morning (according to the other
office). I was happy. I asked if it were possible to check in so I
could enter the gate area and enjoy the luxury of internet. They
agreed to do so. I spent my time in the executive lounge (I'm worth
it) watching television and surfing the web. Pure heaven. My flight
was later delayed for another half hour (which in Bengali translates
as two hours). This time I was told that a VIP (President?) was
leaving the airport and all runways were shut down until the VIP
departed. So my one and a half hour flight turned into a ten and a
half hour extravaganza.
