Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian…Indian Airlines experience today :)

I took an early morning flight (6am) out of Bangalore- and had this truly interesting chat with one of the stewards in the Indian Airlines flight as he got ready to serve the food.

Steward: Sir- what are you? Vegetarian or Non-vegetarian?

Me: What are the options?

Steward: Sorry Sir, I was not offering options, I just want to know if you are Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian?

Me: What does that mean?

Steward: We have a problem at times because we have limited Vegetarian meals onboard- and if you are not vegetarian, I will give you a Non-Veg meal- which allows the other Vegetarians to have their veg breakfast.

Me: You mean, I really don't have a choice? I should eat Non-Veg if I am not vegetarian  - in general. Is that what you mean? (lucky I am wearing a seat belt- lest I fall off my seat).

Steward: Sorry but Yes sir. (big smile).

Me: Ok, I am Vegetarian! (Yeah!).

And he served the Vegetarian food to me and walked away – and achieved what many other employees have  done before to Air India – lost yet another customer!

And just to end the story on a positive tone- I took Jet airways from Kolkata to Guwahati and back. They upgraded me (one way without me asking – and the other way by me asking). 

I am a Jet customer for life! What can I say? 

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