Problems started today when I wasn’t even allowed into the main entrance of the airport because I didn’t have a paper ticket. Someone had to come outside and check my confirmation number and name against the passenger list. Then it was the first time I ever had to check-in my backpack at the Tirchirappalli airport. Every time I say I only have carry on luggage, but they forced me to weigh everything to make sure it is under the 7kg limit. My luggage was 14kg. And this was the most inefficient airport I’ve seen. There were separate counters for check-in, paying the fee for checked in bags ($3), and x-ray and I had to run in-between all of these.
Then after the the strange immigration counter and security check (only time they’ve made me take off my money belt in the world), I noticed my plane was not there. This scared me because I have two flights today and only 70 minutes for the connection.
My flight was delayed about 30 minutes. I was hoping my next flight in Kuala Lumpur would be delayed too, but it was not. I ran through the airport, struggled to fill out my immigration card with a pen that didn’t work, picked up my bag from the luggage area, ran outside, back inside to the departures area, looked for the check-in counter, but it was closed. At the service area I asked them to let me on the plane, just like in the Amazing Race TV show, but this isn’t TV, they said “No, the door is closed” to me. My watch showed 3:37PM, the flight was scheduled to leave at 3:50PM.
I asked if Air Asia could reschedule my flight, and again it was “No.” He said you need 3 hours between any connection, it was all my fault and I have to buy a new ticket.
I took the bus to the city where I visited a year before and went to the hostel I stayed at before. I always spend a lot of time finding the best deals for flights, always buying tickets weeks or months ahead of time. This time I couldn’t do that unless I wanted to be stuck here for weeks. This meant the ticket was at least double the price I normally pay. It was $200 extra for this ticket since I missed the flight. These two days I’ve spent more than my 36 days in India. It goes to show the length of your trip doesn’t mean it is much more expensive.