we’re sorry, your flight is delayed…
I work for an agricultural company, and thus, I got to travel to smaller cities in Indonesia such as Pontianak.
I do not mind the trip as I generally like traveling, but traveling to and from Pontianak is an ordeal. To begin with, the city is only served by small airlines, all of them unreliable. 90% of the flights are delayed, with an average delay time is 2 hours. Counting the 1 hour, check in requirement, you could easily wait 3 hours per trip or 6 hours for return trip.
Recently, I have tried calling the airlines before I leave for the airport, to confirm that their flight is not delayed. Unfortunately, it does not help much. My flight today is an example. I was supposed to depart at 12:45pm. I got a call from the airline to inform that the flight is delayed, so check in time is 13:30. I tried calling again at noon, it is confirmed to fly at 2pm. Upon arriving at the airport at 1:30pm, the check in guy informs me that the flight is delayed until 2:30pm. While sitting patiently playing my computer game, it is announced that the flight will only arrive from Jakarta at 3:20pm. It is now 3:33pm and still no news when my flight will depart.
Waiting in the airport could be bearable if you are at a nice airpot such as changi. I bet if you are to wait 3 hours in Changi, you could join those free city tours arranged by the airport. Well, Pontianak airport itself is clean but has only standard amenities. Cushionless plastic chairs, a few kiosks selling instant noodles and drinks, 1 t-shirt shop, some color TVs …. That’s about it.
Most travelers use the time to chat with their travel companions. I have never seen them sleeping so far, not a surprise since these plastic chairs are far from comfortable. The one waiting room they have is very crowded too. Single travelers like me are left to sit and stare for hours. After numerous flights and uncountable delay hours, I get just a little smarter. I make sure that my laptop battery is fully charged, so I could play games or just write like what I am doing now. Food is also important. Unlike normal, good airlines, these airlines do not give you we-are-sorry-meals, even if you have to wait through meal times. Unless you want to eat instant noodles, then you’d better bring your own decent food.
Ay ya ya ya….. my back is killing me…
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