So it was kind of a bummer life took a turn in 2016 (don’t know for good or bad depending on the glass example I’ll say for Good for me though) and I landed on a wheelie for my daily movements.

But ya life was moving on and i was still travelling a lot by my car so it is good for me, But there was an invisible fear or hitch on travelling via flights because lots of ifs and buts are always there and an additional responsibility of carrying a motorised wheelchair.

I got an opportunity to travel to the City of Pearls for some Round Table Event, travelling how was a this or that option This being Car or That being flight coz it was easy as hell.
So after long discussions with Indigo Airlines post seeing on their website that they allow motorised wheelchairs to be carried via check in luggage without any extra charge in all domestic routes. (Kudos Indigo for a super service for differently abled travellers)

So all said and done and after ticket bookings and all that we were ready to fly. now there was one small request of indigo people that sir you need to reach our checkin counters minimum 3 hrs before. Oh damn my flight from Jaipur was of 5 AM.
So there were we scared out of our minds at 2 AM in the middle of night. And the whole wheelchair transfer + checkin + security + mandatory Starbucks happened swiftly with 1 hr to spare. The transfer from my wheelchair to Airlines Aisle wheelchair at the time of checkin was very easy and comfortable. (Take a bow Indigo Jaipur staff you guys played well). So after that it was just and easy drive in their bus till flight, easy boarding and simple transfer to the seat.

Upon arrival a guy was waiting on the aircraft gate for all other passengers to disembark so he can come with Aisle wheelchair and do my de-boarding. i found my wheelchair near luggage carousel only getting dropped off by a guy who got it down from the Aircraft cargo hold, to my surprise there was no damage to the wheelchair, it was kept safely. So all luggage check and we got our cab and on our way.

But after 3 days when I landed back to the Jaipur airport It was Sunday 8th May 2022. So i was under the impression that what happened with me when i was disembarking the guy will come and take me. But their cleaning crew entered and some handler of indigo who was overseeing the turnaround of the aircraft for the next flight asked to de- board i told him I am waiting for a wheelchair then this guy replied me Sir you can find it at the gate. I have to tell him thrice that I need an aisle wheelchair (such a pathetic service). Then this guy says me sorry and arranges in after 5 mins and i am on my way.

Guess what I was under an impression that aisle wheelchairs have been noted on tickets at the time of booking and all necessary arrangements made so the goof up which happened in Jaipur doesn’t happens. but no systems are there u just need to tell them once you land or something. (Damn Indigo Upgrade your systems).

All in all I had good flights barring a small incident at Jaipur airport (I am sure it could have been avoided if proper notification could have been done beforehand) got confidence that I can fly domestically with my own wheelchair in the cargo hold.

Successful trip + Successful test flights = Happy Me

Laters
SG…!!!