DEAR RNAC

FROM ISSUE # 97 (January 2004) | IN THIS ISSUE
	REFER TO FRIEND		PRINT THIS ARTICLE

I study in Mumbai and regularly fly on RNAC. The Royal Nepal Always Cancelled. And not surprisingly my experience, like many other RNAC frequent flyers, is not restricted to being over exposed to the chronic delay virus that plagues our national airline. Here is just one of my many misadventures with RNAC.

Recently on my way home for vacation getting a seat on the Mumbai-Kathmandu sector seemed virtually impossible. My parents were talking about catching the flight from Calcutta, and on a last attempt I called the airline and was surprised when the RNAC sales agent on the other line responded, "How many tickets do you want?"

Thrilled and not questioning my 'luck', I dragged my final belongings to the airport after saying goodbye to my school and my friends. At the check-in counter I was told to pay an excess baggage fee for my book-heavy bags. I kindly requested they make concessions for a student returning home, but the RNAC ground crew servicing me rudely ignored my plea and replied with stony silence. He just wanted money. And I had none. That is to say, I only had IRS. 1000 with me, and no credit/cash card to my name. A few of my fellow travelers offered to check-in my bags under their name, but the man made of stone said that would not fly. Against company regulation or some such. Similarly he wouldn't permit me to take one of my bags as cabin baggage. Admittedly the bag in question was slightly bigger than your regular carry-on luggage, but only just the slightest bit and would certainly have fit into the overhead cabin. But since RNAC does not believe in making things easy for their clients, they insisted otherwise.

There I was, helpless as beauty queen with her bikini coming undone on the ramp. I didn't know what to do. So I cried. And not to emotionally blackmail the man carved from stone, but out of sheer distress. Then out of nowhere a stranger came up to me and asked me why I was so teary. After I told him my situation, he generously reached out for his wallet and paid the RNAC baboon. All I could do was thank him and write this thank you note/customer complaint.