Seat numbers on Air Deccan?
Since we have discussed Air Deccan no end on this blog, I thought I should point to this release I noticed on PIB (Press Info Bureau) website today. DGCA has made allocation of seat numbers mandatory:
Specific seats will be allotted to all passengers at all stations. The row and seat numbers will be indicated on the boarding passes. The allotment … will ensure that the boarding … is carried out in a smooth and orderly manner …
Well, you may say good move, but I don’t like government enforcements at these “low” levels. Leave it to market forces, shall we? But yes, I do like the part about old and handicapped passengers:
Due care shall be exercised for allotting specific seats to handicapped or infirm/aged persons … should be embarked before normal passengers and disembarked at the end.
Lets see.
As expected, Mr Gopinath doesn’t like it!
Perhaps he should look at the benefits too!
Prealloted seat numbers will relax everyone boarding the flight and reduce stress over long queues and mad rush at the entrance of boarding gates and planes… I don’t see any real saving by not printing seat numbers which can save airline money afterall they do generate PNR’s and print boarding passes…
Another gross violation from Deccan is selling the food items above MRP mentioned. The juices sold in the aircraft are priced at Rs.15 MRP are sold at Rs.20 without any receipts. This is a gross violation of MRTP and needs to be regulated.
Rajesh, for MRP, you should write and leave a complain with AAI. Or at least call and tell them, I did. I notice that Indigo charges MRP, not 1 paisa above that.
On seat assignments, may be not having it saves cost, may be it does not. But why should government stoop down to dictating terms there? Next they will say all airlines must provide at least 10 inches of leg room.
Let all passengers move over to Spicejet and Indigo if Deccan is that bad. Let the markets figure.
BTW, Southwest has the funda of “zones” (they used to have, hope they still do). First 33% of passengers get zone A, next B , next C. Then they board zones 1 by 1. Can’t Deccan just do that?
Way to reinforce my thought that some are just cheap, who are obsessed with getting as much for free/Discount from the Auto Drivers to corporate Level Flights.
I am told there is a security angle to it as well. DGCA wants to know who sat where to figure “weight pattern” plans of the plane in case of accidents. If there is a genuine security angle, then well, nobody can oppose that.
BTW, did you hear the rumors of Kingfisher and Air Deccan merger? Kingfisher Lite is coming I guess :)