A couple of weeks back I had visited Hyderabad. I had opted for a flight as I had to travel alone with Vidur. Rajeev dropped Vidur and me at the Chennai airport. I had a trolley bag, a biggish tote bag, a laptop, a handbag, and a diaper bag. Rajeev very efficiently stacked all this on a trolley and pushed it till the airport entrance. I was carrying Vidur. At the entrance, I showed the guard my e-ticket and tried pushing the trolley. It didn't budge. Then I remembered that you need to push the handle of the trolley down to release the brakes. Can you imagine holding a baby in one hand and pushing the bar down and the trolley forward with the other hand? As I entered, a Kingfisher official asked me which airlines I was traveling by. I was traveling by Indian Airlines. He moved past me. I was left thinking that he could have helped me anyway. I am sure his airlines will not fire him for being helpful. And my impression of the airlines would have drastically improved also.
Anyway, I somehow managed to push the trolley (though I am very sure I was visibly struggling) till the luggage screening. There a person helped unload my luggage. He also helped me restack the trolley. I was very grateful and thanked him sincerely. Appreciating this, he asked a person to push my trolley till the check in counter. The man was reluctant but finally gave in. I was able to get rid of my check in luggage but I was still left with a laptop, diaper bag and purse. The diaper bag was extremely heavy as I being a paranoid mom had taken the entire stock of Cerelac, Nestum, Nan. I guess I was worried that I would be stranded at the airport with no food for my baby. I also had no space for these cans in the suitcase. :)
Now that the luggage was checked in, Vidur was getting heavier by the minute. These are times when you wish your kid had learnt how to walk. But parents who have kids in that stage wish otherwise. :) As per the board and the announcement, I had proceed to the security check area. Ok. I had to go the first floor for my gate. There was an escalator there which said I couldn't take the trolley on it. Anyway, I wouldn't have dared. So, I headed back toward the person who helped me and asked whether there was a lift that I could use so that I could just take the trolley with me. They thought about it and said yes and pointed in the general direction of the lift. One guys asked the other to help me while the other said you go. This lasted a few minutes when I interrupted and said 'It is ok I will manage'. I headed toward the lift and managed to get the trolley in the lift. A few other passengers accompanied me. The gate was supposed to be on the first floor. When the lift doors opened, I saw a hotel. I asked a passenger whether I could reach the gate from here. He said no, only hotel and an office was there. So, I went back to the ground floor, left the damn trolley, made Vidur stand holding my leg, and hung the bags on both shoulders. Then, I took the escalator and headed to the first floor. I struggled but finally managed to get on the flight.
At the Hyderabad Airport, people were more helpful. A man accompanied me all the way from the flight till the taxi. He refused money also! Now that's service. On the way back, I was booked on Paramount airlines. A air hostess helped me as soon as I landed back in Chennai. She was really sweet about it. She helped me at the baggage claim and escorted me all the way out. I really appreciate it when people help without grumbling and expecting anything in return.
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