Any closer to home?
Please help with airline info, anyone!
- Thread starter Chris-CJ
- Start date
Chris-CJ
Well-known member
Not yet, signs are pointing that the skies will shortly open for commercial passenger routes and I am at the starting gate for booking a flight back home.
Mumbai, under lockdown is not the place to be!
"be free from the gravity of expectation"
Seems in line with what im hearing. All our mfg suppliers have started shipping again.
Article written by another canadian that was in Mumbai in this mess. You're in our thoughts Chris.
$7000 for a one way ticket? They could teach scalpers a thing or two.
I want to feel for this girl, but I can't for some reason. Her reason for her to be back home doesn't resonate fully as she knew the pros and cons of a "free spirit" life. And yea, just seems overly dramatic.
May not even cover all costs at that price. You probably flew an empty plane over and full back so ticket prices need to double at a minimum.
Oh, there's lots of crazy there. Her first thought about her responsibility to India showed where her mind was. It was more just an interesting story from a person in a very similar situation (although she's not old so I'm not sure why she made the cut to get a seat).
Chris-CJ
Well-known member
With regard to the CBC article, leaving aside Ms. Hylton's personal inclinations/preferences, the nuts and bolts of the story ring true.
The lockdown in India was slammed in without much advance notice and shall I say, "enforced" without hesitation.
Agreed that for the expat flights, the cost included a one way empty flight, ergo the $2900 ticket (a regular round trip can be had for $1100).
Also, there was an allegation (on Twitter) that some of the local travel agents were asking for bids for a seat. May not be true, but is entirely possible.
(Example: half of the fine that I paid to release my rented 125cc for a parking infraction was "pocket money" for the local traffic pleese).
Perhaps the authorities can take a leaf from Air India's plan, where the cost of a NY-to-Mumbai expat ticket was $1300 AND the flight was open to reverse bookings for Mumbai-to-NY, so that it would not be an empty one-way.
Me, fingers crossed that the COVID-19 curve flattens and the skies open up to commercial passenger flights. Reasons: a wish to minimize exposure to COVID-19 in a flying incubator and a dislike to get into debt for the cost of the expat ticket.
Right now, to reduce my staying costs, I am a PG in a single room with an antiquated fan for ventilation (45C in the day), access to a washroom where a cold shower means a trickle of lukewarm water and two basic meals a day. Am not complaining or seeking sympathy/help. There are people here (day labour) that are very much worse off. They have run out of money, no food or shelter and there is no social safety net for them, no CERB or the like.
Speaking of CERB, I pay taxes in Canada and COVID-19 has had an impact, would it be fair to ask if CERB can be applied to the cost of an expat ticket? .... only asking.
"be free from the gravity of expectation"
The lockdown in India was slammed in without much advance notice and shall I say, "enforced" without hesitation.
Agreed that for the expat flights, the cost included a one way empty flight, ergo the $2900 ticket (a regular round trip can be had for $1100).
Also, there was an allegation (on Twitter) that some of the local travel agents were asking for bids for a seat. May not be true, but is entirely possible.
(Example: half of the fine that I paid to release my rented 125cc for a parking infraction was "pocket money" for the local traffic pleese).
Perhaps the authorities can take a leaf from Air India's plan, where the cost of a NY-to-Mumbai expat ticket was $1300 AND the flight was open to reverse bookings for Mumbai-to-NY, so that it would not be an empty one-way.
Me, fingers crossed that the COVID-19 curve flattens and the skies open up to commercial passenger flights. Reasons: a wish to minimize exposure to COVID-19 in a flying incubator and a dislike to get into debt for the cost of the expat ticket.
Right now, to reduce my staying costs, I am a PG in a single room with an antiquated fan for ventilation (45C in the day), access to a washroom where a cold shower means a trickle of lukewarm water and two basic meals a day. Am not complaining or seeking sympathy/help. There are people here (day labour) that are very much worse off. They have run out of money, no food or shelter and there is no social safety net for them, no CERB or the like.
Speaking of CERB, I pay taxes in Canada and COVID-19 has had an impact, would it be fair to ask if CERB can be applied to the cost of an expat ticket? .... only asking.
"be free from the gravity of expectation"
Last edited:
@Chris-CJ I say apply for CERB. There were even less restrictions noted, including people that were NOT working at time of COVID that may be eligible. They're basically throwing money at everyone that applies, right or wrong, and will deal with any questionable cases later (meaning most likely never).
I think I mentioned it before but there is also a program to apply for a 5k loan to travel home from the gov't. Look into that as well. But I would apply for CERB in your situation.
I think I mentioned it before but there is also a program to apply for a 5k loan to travel home from the gov't. Look into that as well. But I would apply for CERB in your situation.
Chris-CJ
Well-known member
Fingers crossed, this
happens sooner rather than later
wap.business-standard.com
Oh, Great Architect of the Universe, please let this be true!
"be free from the gravity of expectation"
happens sooner rather than later
Lufthansa Group plans to resume Mumbai-Frankfurt flight services in June
With over 106 destinations in Germany and Europe and more than 20 intercontinental destinations, the range of flights will be expanded
Oh, Great Architect of the Universe, please let this be true!
"be free from the gravity of expectation"
Chris-CJ
Well-known member
Still stranded, suffered from heat exhaustion, admitted to hospi and now out with a depleted wallet. Hospitals here are business first and healthcare next, and hygiene is deplorable.
Am still waiting for the open skies to start.
Expat flights are on, but the costs are ridiculous and there have been instances of money being taken and tickets not being issued.
2020 = Annus Horribilis
(apologies to HM QE from whom this quote is paraphrased.
"be free from the gravity of expectation"
I've used that term a lot so far this year.
Chris-CJ
Well-known member
Chris-CJ, is clearing the debt of hospital bills of a collapse from heat exhaustion. Medical care in India is a business first, repairing humans is secondary so it is expensive, plus the cost of an unforeseen extra three months of rental stay.
Hope to catch a flight back in July.
And no, the Can Embassy here rejected two applications for an emergency loan 'cos I did not take their $3K one-way flight (regular round trip is $1200)
"be free from the gravity of expectation"
Great news! Welcome back. Rest up and enjoy some time in relative comfort and safety to recover from your vacation.
