Every time I attempt to give
@IndiGo6E a chance, they disappoint me.
Had someone in Goa informed me that I required a transit visa to change flights in Istanbul, I would never have boarded my flight to Mumbai in the first place.
Instead, at the Mumbai boarding gate at 3:00 AM, I was informed that I could not board because I would not be allowed to take my onward flight from Istanbul to Sochi, Russia. Fair enough, I said - I would book an alternative route.
What followed was a masterclass in inefficiency.
I then had to wait until 4:15 AM, when the flight finally departed, for my checked baggage to be offloaded. After clearing immigration and explaining the situation to CISF officials, I exited the terminal only to find myself waiting another two and a half hours for my bag to be released through customs and security procedures.
I left Goa at 12:05 AM. By the time I finally have my baggage in hand, it will be close to 6:45 AM in Mumbai.
A problem that should have been identified before departure from Goa has now cost me an entire night, a missed journey, and nearly seven hours of unnecessary inconvenience. Better passenger verification at the point of origin would have prevented this avoidable mess.
What is most disappointing is the complete lack of concern for the passenger. I specifically advised the organisers to book me on an Indian airline rather than a foreign carrier, believing it would provide a smoother experience. Instead, this has been one of the most frustrating travel experiences I have encountered.
I have been travelling since I was six months old and have spent a lifetime navigating airports across the world. Mistakes happen. But failing to identify a basic documentation issue before departure, and then leaving a passenger stranded for hours to recover his baggage, is simply unacceptable.