Dumbest guy on the flight ... The Pilot

"Dear Chairman,

Greetings and best wishes to you.

Let me take this opportunity to highlight a deficiency in the service of Kingfisher Airlines.

Last Monday, I was flying on IT316 from Delhi to Mumbai. The flight was STD at 2050 hours. Accordingly, all passengers were boarded and we were ready to take off. Or so most of us thought.

Around 2115 the co-pilot announced that the pilot has still not arrived. He said the pilot is coming from his residence. The pilot is stuck in Delhi traffic and hence delayed. Since it is traffic, it is not fault of the airlines and there is nothing they can do about it. He also stated that he has "just" spoken to the pilot and was told that the pilot has reached Mahouli and would reach airport in 15 minutes.

Now, even a non-Delhite like me knows that based on the traffic outside the airport, there is not way the pilot can reach the airport in 15 minutes.

Around 2200, the co-pilot came back on the announcement stating that he has "just" spokent to the pilot and the pilot is still stuck in the traffic. He said we will take off immediately on arrival of the pilot. He also stated that the ATC has given him the takeoff slot. And again he stated that since it is traffic, it is not fault of the airlines and there is nothing they can do about it.

I would like to point out that the approach to the Delhi airport is always crowded duriing evening hours. Me and about 100 other passengers had taken this into consideration and left our respective locations much in advance to reach the airport. The rest of the airline crew were also in the aircraft in time.

So I would like to inform the pilot that there was something he could have done. "Left early". The co-pilot harping repeatedly on the pilot coming from his residence created a bad taste. There were people on the aircraft, who were either coming from their residence or going towards it. For one person, the pilot, a whole lot of people had to suffer inconvenience.

I am typing this out as I wait for my boarding in the KF lounge. This mail is not a complaint or a crib. I am still flying KF. Sincerely hope such incident dont reoccur.

Regards"

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I have sent this mail to the Kingfisher feedback. Its really sad to know that the pilot turned out to be the dumbest guy on the aircraft. I really wished the flight could have taken off without him... but alas such things are restricted to fantasy.

My past comments to KF has never resulted in any response or even acknowledgement of the communication. I have regularly filled in the feedback form in the flight highlighting deficiencies as well as exceptional service. But zilch response. I filled up the feedback form for this flight also.

Lets wait and watch how KF responds (if they do).