Wasted Time, Wasted Money: A Travel Ordeal That Could Have Been Avoided

Today, I experienced an alarming level of inefficiency and disregard while trying to catch my flight to Mumbai. Despite arriving at the airport well ahead of time at 7 AM, I was delayed by police personnel citing “ID verification.” I presented three valid photo IDs—PAN, Passport, and Aadhaar—yet the police continued to hold me up.

Once cleared, I approached the airline staff, only to be told the gate was closed. The airport is small, the airline a budget carrier, and I could clearly see my flight still waiting. Despite 45 minutes remaining before takeoff, no effort was made to accommodate me. The lack of proactive support from the airline resulted in me missing the flight entirely, wasting both time and money.

This incident highlights two critical failures:

1. Inefficiency and Bureaucratic Delay – Time-sensitive processes like ID verification should not obstruct passengers who have complied with all protocols.

2. Lack of Staff Accountability – Airline personnel must prioritize problem-solving and passenger support rather than passive observation.

Travel should provide convenience, safety, and efficiency, not stress, harassment, or financial loss. Passengers pay for service and reliability, and the system must be accountable when these expectations fail.

I urge airlines, airport authorities, and law enforcement to review and strengthen processes to prevent such avoidable incidents. Travelers deserve respect, timely assistance, and a seamless journey, not wasted hours and unnecessary financial loss.