- I Paid A Bribe
- 13 years ago
- 1832 views
Indian AIrlines Checkin-Boarding Pass counter in New Delhi: The last day in India
- Airports
- Airport facilities
- Paid INR 1,000
Background: I was flying back from India to US and was booked on IA nonstop flight. Due to a little haphazardness, I accidentally added extra stuff in bag after weighing in at home. It was 3 kgs over the weight limit. I was carrying only one luggage (two luggage items are allowed) and one carry-in cabin bag.
What happened: I got airport well in time and I was going in for the check-in at IA check-in and boarding pass counter. There were multiple counters 3 or 4 to handle the flight to NYC-JFL and 1 for flight to Chicago. When I was entering the line, then it all started. The guy managing the line passed a smile. I smiled back thinking wow IA has upped in their Customer service charade. Then this guy removed the ribbon cordon to let me check in from the Chicago counter which was nearly empty since Flight was supposed to take off later than the flight to JFK. There was a line for the JFK flight. But then I told him that I am flying to JFK so thanks but I am alright. So I thought that this guy misunderstood my flight without even asking me and I did the right thing. Then when I was about to reach the Check-in counter for Flight to JFK the "lady" at the Check-In counter for Chicago asked me to come to her counter and check-in there to "save time". I went there and told the same thing. She said that it's fine since they have no line. So I placed my luggage and I had a feel that this is going to be a little over-weight. And it was. So at that time she asked me that this is over-weight and I need to pay-up for extra-weight. So far so good. I had two choices: One to take the extra-stuff from my over weight luggage and put that in the carry-in luggage or pay for the extra weight. "Avoiding" any bit of discomfort that time, I said Ok, I would pay for the extra. How much it would be? Guess what without telling me the rates or anything she gave me the guesstimate of "more than 50 USD". Then I asked OK and I can pay that here. She said well either you can go ahead and Pay it outside at their reservation counter and come back and stand in the big line or you can pay us. So that was fishy. I asked hows that different. They said you just need to pay us to get through. And then Splat! they shamelessly that asked how much do you have on you? I said I can pay 50 bucks from my card. They nearly jumped "Oh no! keep the card inside." More hairy! So there was other guy standing besides this salivating lady at the counter picking up bags and putting it on check in carousel. He finall broached the subject: "Do you have cash in dollors". I said I have only 25 and nothing else. He said: that is fine. I pulled out the cash and placed it on the counter and they again jumped to death and whispered "Sir please dont give us money here". Instaneously they gave me my Passport and Boarding pass, put my luggage on the carousel and folded a custom slip for me. Then they asked me to put the money in the slip and go towards custom. I will ********** a guy on my way who will take the money from me. SO I took my stuff and still perplexed walked towards the customs. A sneaky creepy middle-aged guy approached me on my way (I am so sure taht there is some well established smooth gestures sign language going in the background to trigger and indicate the catch and bait). Well he took the form from me, slipped in the money, returned me the form and went away. So this is how I bribed on my last day in India.
Lesson: I should have not done it in the first place to avoid a little discomfort and when I found out about this I should have reported it as soon as possible to authority and should have played them at their own game. The fear of losing my bag and trouble in my travel was what bogged me down. Looking back I regret it way too much and I feel more to be blamed for sustaining this corrupt system. I am more than eager to do more right to redeem myself. Any tips?
Please be aware of this new corrupt system that I was not aware of and found myself dumbfounded. I would really appreciate if one of us can take it down.