This happened last August. I was on my way to Allahabad on some work. I had to take a flight to Delhi and from there to Allahabad. Luckily it was the same airline, so i could do a through check in - or so i thought.
My flight to Delhi, was the first IA flight out from Chennai in the morning - to be precise at 6.40 am. My plan was to wake up by 4.30 and leave by 5, which meant even if there was traffic (what if some big shot happened to take a morning stroll next to the airport....rite totally)i would still manage to reach. Anyways my plan was to ensure i reach the airport by 5.45 latest knowing that my constant 'snoozing' of my alarm would make me reach by 6 which was still fine.
Well, i woke up at 5.45! I literally ran all around the house getting ready. I left home at 6.15. I was surely gonna miss my flight. Worst part, was i couldnt even take the next flight coz the time it reached Delhi would be the time the flight from Delhi to Allahabad was to take off and i was no Aishwarya Rai for them to hold the flight back for me.
Reached the airport at 6.30. Super - my flight was at 6.40. Ran to IA counter only for them to tell me that the counter was closed and nothing could be done. Were they talking a language i understood or was it my mind playing tricks??? Excuses - i had to make an excuse. They might be able to stop that flight and i could run, Tamil Hero style and swing into it through some shaft on the first floor in the airport!
Went to the IA office. There was a senior officer who started advising me on keeping time, on how it was important to reach on time etc. Dude i knew that, i did not follow that hence I'm late - i did not say that, but that was exactly what was running thru my head. I started making up stories saying i was from a different place, i had just reached Chennai that morning by train, that i was not well - a laundry list of excuses. I was surprised the officer actually listened to the nonsense i was saying (it was nonsense in the true sense).
I even told him, i had chosen to fly IA coz i thought their service was the best! Also that i was using the same airline till Allahabad. Not working. Finally, one last theatrical attempt. Out came a dialogue (which in Tamil literally translates as 'Neenga manasu vecha.....") "Sir, I'm sorry Im late, but if you make up your mind and made the attempt, i will be on board that flight". Whoa - it worked!!! Next minute, he had my boarding pass issued till Allahabad and had me whizzing to security check
Thought id just run and jump into the flight - there was a huge queue for security check and i had to carry my luggage as well coz i couldnt check in the baggage. The security guard would not allow me to get ahead. Dialogues would not work on him - he knew Hindi only!. I was right at the back of a 47 member queue (i actually counted). After all that drama and dialogue, i was gonna miss my flight :(.
Well my Hero did not let me down. He appeared out of nowhere and asked why i was in queue. I squarely blamed it on the security guard. In a min, myself and 3 other passengers whizzed past security check and literally ran to the flight. As i entered the flight (worst moment), i literally tumbled, toppled and landed inside - the entire passenger bunch looked up. The flight was full, saving 4 seats and all of their eyes were on me. I quietly looked down, and walked to my seat and handed over my luggage to the steward who was kind enough to not smirk at me.
Phew....on that day i swore (i maintain it till date) that were i to take an early morning flight, i would not sleep the previous night at all!!!
