USil irunthu Chennai Varai

3rd August, 2006 my last day at Montvale, NJ, I was heading back to my home country after coming to the much sought United States of America almost an year back. I had a strange itenary from NJ to India Newark -> Chicago -> New Delhi -> Chennai. My US visa had expired. Hence, I had no other option than to take a direct flight.

My flight to Chicago was at 1600 EST at Newark Liberty International Airport. I reached the aiport at 1300 hrs, well ahead of the scheuled departure. I was really excited as I approached the check-in counter of the American Airlines. It was now my turn to check-in. The lady at the check-in counter was taking a long time to complete my check-in process. Though I had ample time left a sense of urgency and tension was mounting on me. After a while I heard the disappointing news from the lady in the counter, my flight to Chicago was delayed and hence I cannot make my connecting to New Delhi from Chicago. "I want to board my flight to New Delhi. Please do whatever you can"- This is what I could tell the customer representative of American Airlines. After a while, the customer representative presented me with a new intenary New York(JFK) -> London -> New Delhi. I wasn't sure if that was indeed a valid itenary as I didn't have a transit Visa. I raised my concern and they convinced me saying that it is an unvolunteered change and hence there was no need for a transit visa. I somehow wasn't convinced and I kept repeating the same question. I decided to take my chance. American Airlines provided me with a cab to New York JFK airport which was over 30 miles away from Newark Liberty International Airport.

I was in the cab to JFK and the I was having a last sight at the beautiful Hudson river and the Sky Scrapers of NY. My transit at London was over 2 hours and I decided to call Sai Kiran that I can meet him at the airport. I even thought it was a blessing in disguise for me to meet my beloved friend after an years time. While all these thoughts were wavering in my mind, I reached JFK airport.
I was waiting again in the counter for my turn to check-in. I didn't sense the disarray that was awaiting me until the Customer representative asked me for a London Visa. I was dismayed when I was asked to present a London Visa; it was a mistake by the customer representative at Newark. I cannot take a transit at London unless I have a transit visa or a valid US Visa. I had neither of them with me. American airlines apologized to me for the confusion that they caused. I tried to emphasize that I wanted to board a flight by all means on the same day. There was a flight to Chicago at 1600 hrs from JFK. American Airlines booked me as a Stand-By passenger on that flight. I went to the appropriate Gate and kept my fingers crossed if I would get an opportunity to board the flight. At the tick of 1555, I heard the announcement " Chicago flight is closed". With total disappointment and unaware as what was bound to happen next I walked back to the check-in counter. The first news that I got is that my baggage had gone in the Chicago flight and I will have to claim it in Chennai, Holy Crap!. I was desperate to board a flight to New Delhi on the same day but all the efforts to book me through Air India, Continental and other Airlines went in vain. All the direct flights to India were booked. Now with all the doors closed, I had no other option than to take the next day's flight. I wasn't sure if I could reschedule my domestic flight from New Delhi to Chennai. I was provided with accommodation for the night and food coupons for three sessions. With no access to Internet and a computer, I conveyed the news to my family and friends in India with great difficulty with the help of Prabhu.

4th august, 2006 I was at JFK to board my flight to Chicago. This time no difficulties, I managed to make it to New Delhi on time. I reached Indira Gandhi International Airport on 5th August at 2045 hrs. There was a notice at the Gate asking me to meet the customer service representatives. My baggage was held at New Delhi as they to clear customs. After all the formalities I headed towards Domestic terminal. I straight went to Jet airways counter and got my ticket rescheduled. After waiting for over eight hours at the airport Lounge, I boarded the flight to Chennai on 6th August, 2006 at 0645 hrs.

In over two hours time I was flying over Bay of Bengal. I could already feel being at home. I landed at about 0920 hrs. My parents were waiting for me at the arrival Gate and after a gap of over 12 months; I was back to "Singara Chennai"....

Sorgame Endraalum Athu namoora pola varumaa......