Sunset - 03.12.2015

Rebranding CAA

For those who travel frequently (by air), CAA is a well-recognized name. However, in the light of recent events, I feel obliged to suggest some new names for this acronym. Civil Atrocious Authority, perhaps? Or maybe, Civil Aristocratic Authority? Either will work as you read what I have to tell. However, before I recount my narrative, let me remind you that neither this post, nor the author (aka me), is in any way affiliated to, or is a beneficiary of, any parties mentioned hereunder.

Working abroad is never easy; you constantly miss the loved ones back home, and even though you can visit, your trips always feel short and hurried, no matter how long you stay. So when I left for airport on 26th September after an 8-day Eid vacation, my spirits were already low. Arriving at the airport early (as is my custom), I was surprised to see that the departure time of my flight was different from the one written on my ticket (5:20pm according to CAA board, and 4:45pm according to my AirBlue ticket). Reasoning with myself that since the airport is operated by CAA and not AirBlue, I put stock in 5:20pm departure announcement, and chose to spend those extra few minutes with my parents. A few minutes before 4pm, I entered the checking area where the guard scrutinized my ticket before letting me in. After the luggage checking, I headed towards AirBlue counter to get a boarding pass, only to be informed that the boarding had been closed now. Fuming, I headed towards their office and complained to the staff about this bizarre turn of events which had caused a delay in my departure (probably paving way for troubles at my office as well. That, I will find out when I reach there). The staff was surprisingly calm and polite, asking me details about my departure and then requesting me to wait while they arrange an alternative for me. During this time, I found out that CAA had been informed about change in flight departure time, but they chose to conveniently ignore it.

For quite some time, all of us have been noticing a steady decline in the performance of government-run departments (a trend pioneered by PIA), which is slowly reaching its apex. It feels as if all these government's not-so-subtle hints for us to leave and never return.

Coming back to the actual discussion, I waited for a little over 20 minutes when the AirBlue staff, politely offered me a new ticket for the next day. To say that I was surprised would be an understatement. Such courtesy is a rarity in our country, and being on the receiving end of it made me feel like home all over again, where care and manners surpass everything else.

As I write this, I'm getting ready for leaving again, but with a smile on my face this time around, hoping that a great journey lies ahead.