EXPERIENCE AT THIRUVANANTHAPURAM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

It was our first trip after the commissioning of the new terminal at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The terminal is definitely an improvement on the terminal at the other end of the Airport. The authorities have made a serious effort to bring it to international standards. Aerobridges save the passenger from the vagaries of the weather as they board and disembark. The terminal is nowhere when it is compared with Changi, Hongkong, Beijing, Bangkok or Dubai. We are happy that at least a beginning has been initiated.

Immigration was very quick when we passed through the barrier. The official was very thorough as he went through the passports and documents. Incisive questions were raised. But they were not offensive. He even joked as he cleared the documents and wished us bon voyage.  It was a welcome shift from our earlier travels where the officials maintained a stiff upper lip and looked at every one with suspicion.

Our journey took us to Bangkok via Colombo. Except for confusion over the issue of visa on arrival at Bangkok clearances at both the airports were quick and hassle free. On our return clearances were faster. The officials at all the counters were courteous. They were helpful.

The experience on our return to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport left us with mixed emotions. Immigration was quick.  The travails began after that. Once through the immigration counter, there were five or six counters, all the passengers had to converge and pass through single exit where an official with a very suspicious face stopped us. He was there to confirm whether the passports were properly stamped by the official at the counter. While he took his time to do the verification passengers were forced to crowd in the limited space. It was a bit ridiculous as we were exposing our distrust of our own capable officials before the international travellers.

As we went on to claim the baggage we were asked to put our hand baggage through a scanner. Different countries have different laws and customs. We have traveled to a number of countries. We have never experienced such a scanning as we were making the exit.

The baggage was delivered through the conveyor quick. There were no porters to irritate the passenger. On our way out we spotted a duty free shop where we paused to pick up a packet of chocolates. As we finally pushed the trolley to the exit a Police Officer stopped us. Thinking that he wanted to verify the baggage tag, we showed him the tags. He said, “No, Passports.” (No ‘please’ we were used to at airports abroad). The passports were handed over. He rifled through the   passports and took out a slip of paper detached from the arrival card by the immigration official. He handed me my passport and commanded, “Get it.” I did as I was told. He said the slip of paper had to be filled up and led us to a counter where a lady official in white uniform sat. He asked us to fill them up and hand them over to the lady. Obviously it was our fault. As we had  filled up the arrival card in the aircraft we had omitted to fill up the last part where we were supposed to write our name and the flight number. When we handed the slips to the Officer she told us to hand them over to the Police Officer who had ordered us to fill them up. Taking the slips from us he allowed us to move on to the exit. I stole a look at the ID the Police Officer sported. It read, “Expiring on 09.09.2011.”  It was interesting that our return was on 18.09.2011.

The Police Officer was doing his duty. We were in the wrong as there was an omission on our part. But as we were filling up the slip of paper we found many other passengers moving out without any one stopping them to verify their passports.

We are not blaming any one. What we cannot understand is that as we were passing through airports abroad such procedures were not in evidence. No officials were there to confirm the officials were performing their duty well. There were no slips of paper detached from the arrival card and no security personnel to stop us once we were through customs and immigration. It beats us why the arrival card should have a detachable format that serves no purpose at all in a totally computerized environment. There was no scanning of hand baggage. The procedure needs simplification. We have to ensure that the visitors to India return to their countries with pleasant memories. Tourism is a money spinner for all countries. We are fine tuning it to offer the worst.