“Make sure you don’t remove your face shield or the mask. And do not touch your face,” my dad anxiously repeated these instructions for the nth time when he dropped me at the Delhi airport. I gave him that look saying, yes dad I know it! I was excited, happy and a wee bit nervous taking the flight to Mumbai where my brother and his wife stay. Since it had hardly rained in Delhi, I was looking forward to the monsoon in Mumbai, which just happens to be my favourite city in the country.
Airport experience
Besides the science fiction look with which I embarked on my journey, the first change I encountered was the security personnel who stood behind a glass partition and checked my boarding pass and ID from there. A quick thermal check and I was inside.
Security personnel standing behind a glass partition at Delhi airport
How different would the experience be, I wondered with all the emphasis on social distancing and contactless check-ins. I was flying IndiGo and just to be on the safe side I had booked a double seat. Frankly not a lot had changed barring the masks and face shields.
I had got repeated messages from IndiGo telling me it was mandatory to carry a print out of the boarding pass and luggage tag, but at the airport they told me to get a print out from the kiosk, so I really did not see the point of that instruction. The kiosk could not recognize my PNR and I was asked to get it from the person who checks in my luggage. Apart from standing six feet away, the check-in procedure was exactly the same as before.
The team at IndiGo ensures you follow social distancing norms by telling you exactly where to stand
At the security check, the trays were much bigger and were coming in the automatic conveyer belt. It was the usual drill of taking out all electronics, chargers etc. but they let me continue wearing my face shield when I went for frisking.
Inside, it was comforting to see that the food court was open, the shops were up and running but of course there were hardly any customers. The pandemic has left its mark – the airport lacked it usual buzz. Some of the seating near the shops had removed their backrest. The middle seats at the boarding gate were marked with a yellow sticker saying ‘Do Not Sit - Respect Social Distancing.’ Just to be on the safe side, I did not even take a seat even though the airport staff were making sure that they clean the seats frequently.
The middle seat was blocked
Just five minutes before boarding was announced, a crewmember handed out face shields, masks and three pouches of hand sanitizer. Wearing the face shield before boarding the flight is mandatory.
Care package with a face shield, hand sanitiser and mask by the airline
In the flight
I had taken the window seat, hoping that my double seat booking would mean there was no one in that row. But the flight was fairly full and a passenger occupied the aisle seat. I shrugged aside the pandemic nervousness of being close to someone unknown and relaxed – after all both of us had masks and face shields.
The airline had told us not to carry any hand baggage except a laptop bag or something that could fit below the seat in front. So I assumed that the overhead luggage compartments would be out of limits. But nope – we could use it and I wondered why they told us not to carry any luggage.
The seat pockets were empty
Missing of course was the food service and the magazines in the seat pocket. We were asked to keep our face shield on till we de-plane. I have to admit, I was getting claustrophobic, but well it is something you just have to take as part of travel for some time I guess.
Oh how much I missed this view
I looked out of the window as if I was flying for the first time in my life. The traveller inside me was screaming with excitement and I enjoyed clicking pictures of the clouds just like a 5-year-old would. I guess this is what excites me about a flight even today.
After landing
Huge signs of social distancing and wearing a mask properly at Mumbai airport welcomed us and there were dustbins in different corners to dispose off the gloves and shields. I kept mine on till I reached home. The luggage arrived really quickly so that was a plus point.
Such signs welcome you to Mumbai airport
Close to the exit, it was time for another temperature check. Each state has its own rules regarding home quarantine – in Mumbai it is mandatory if your stay exceeds a week.
A few meters ahead an airport employee was stamping hands with a home quarantine stamp for two weeks – the dates on my stamp were barely visible.
Cannot step out of the house for 14 days
Those in Mumbai for a short stay had to fill up forms online on the Maharashtra government website with all details including that of their return ticket and then wait for at least 20 minutes for a certificate to avoid a home quarantine stamp. This was a bit disappointing because I spoke to the airline and the Mumbai airport authorities before coming but the protocol wasn’t explained properly. With Unlock 4.0 a few rules have changed so please check before travelling anywhere.
Although I had a return ticket, I didn’t want to wait at the airport any more, so I went ahead and got myself stamped – after all I love Mumbai, I was meeting family, so a longer stay would be nice I thought.
Taking a cab
I ordered an Uber to reach home. Airport security checked the cab driver’s temperature before I got in, and that make me feel safer. Finally I reached my destination without any tension.
And I am ready for my next journey wherever it takes me. But yes, I would be happier doing it without the face shield!
