Hi folks,
Today, I had
been to Pune airport to get reservation for a flight I wanted to
take and ventured out to check out the 'ARMED FORCES CONCESSION' that
every Airline BOAST THEY DO.
I had actually gone to
clarify certain issues and also thought I would book it there, as I was NOT able to check out the requisite details on the net.
Firstly, I WAS
INFORMED, THAT CONCESSION TICKETS CAN ONLY (ONLY) BE BOOKED ON NET!!
Since I was not able to
ascertain the concession I get, I asked them what was the concession I can expect. They informed me that it was 50% of the BASE FARE. I stated
that I wanted to know in terms of money; what I can expect.
I noticed that they were
VERY RELUCTANT TO LET ME KNOW THE SAME, AND STATED IT CAN BE SEEN
ONLY IN THE NET. When I insisted that I need to speak to some higher officials,
I was informed by INDIGO, that the BASE
FARE OF THE TKT I WANTED WAS Rs
200/- (YOU DON'T BELIEVE IT, DO YOU. BUT YES IT WAS Rs 200 AND SO I, A
PROUD VETERAN, GET A CONCESSION OF Rs 100 (YES, ONE HUNDRED Rupees)
I THINK IT IS SHAMEFUL, FOR; PEOPLE TIP THEIR BEARERS MORE THAN
THAT.
The same was
the reply from SPICE JET, WHO ALSO OFFERED ROUGHLY THE SAME CONCESSION.
GO INDIA
HOWEVER STATED IT WAS Rs 500/- FLAT ON EVERY TICKET.
If this Rs 100/- is the
concession today, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT THIS BELITTLING OF THE FORCES
BE STOPPED AND WE ASK THE AIR COYS NOT (NOT) TO ADVERTISE THE SAME BOLDLY
AND PROUDLY. THEY SHOULD IN-TURN BE ASHAMED OF OFFERING THIS TO THE
FORCES. IF THEY THINK THEY ARE DOING THIS AS A SOCIAL CAUSE, I CAN ONLY PITY THEIR JUDGEMENT.
This service concession was
earlier granted by Indian Airlines (IA) primarily because the Air Traffic
Control (ATC) at airfields in forward and remote areas were manned
by the Air Force personnel. Thus this concession was a mode of not only acknowledging and appreciating
the services rendered by the Forces, but also saved on the manpower and
infrastructure that would have to be spent by IA.
I wonder why we, (the Armed
Forces), cannot insist on a review of this and justice is done, as
we still man all the ATCs of remote areas incl some in vital
airbases including PUNE !!
ALTERNATIVELY, LET THE
SERVICES ASK THE COYS TO DO AWAY WITH THIS FARCE OF CONCESSION TO THE ARMED
FORCES. It is really demeaning to one who has served proudly to look for
such pittance thrown by such coys.
I, FOR ONE, PROMISE NOT TO
AVAIL THIS CONCESSION TILL THIS IS ADDRESSED. I KNOW IT WOULD MAKE NO
DIFFERENCE TO THEM, BUT I FEEL PROUD OF THIS. I AM NOT WILLING TO BE HURT
BY THEIR TREATMENT.
I strongly feel this be
given wide publicity, so that everyone (both in uniform and those out of it) be
informed of this.
Col K Srinivas (Retired)
The Q is why it is felt by veterans only,why the org to which we all rep-whether veteran/serving,the army HQ does not rep against it.
ReplyDeletethe ticket purchased under Armed force concession can not be rescheduled due to any change in program.The ticket laps and no refund admitted by the private Airlines
ReplyDelete