onlysuites

Exactly. Give it a few weeks/months and the media will move onto something else and the guy will be flying again.

L_D_M

Wouldn't be the case if it was an average Joe who had been drunk and disorderly - even if he didn't go as far as assaulting a crew member. He would have been put in restraints on the flight and escorted off it by police. In India, the laws are enforced only against the poor (or in this case, if you're not a goon, aka an "elected representative" of the people).

Anish

Looks like AI isn't budging..

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/i...w/57883202.cms

vishalgupta22

i don't know how this works in India but from the news article it looks like airlines are on the lookout for the MP's bookings manually instead of having a do not fly list which will properly ban him.

if it's all manual, the ban means nothing.

from the TOI article:
"All airlines were on the lookout for anyone with that name booking a ticket from either Pune, Mumbai or any nearby airport to Delhi on Tuesday and Wednesday."

tirajat

I loved this comment on the article


The MP should have been in jail now for his misconduct. And what is police investigating? Did the MP use Bata sandal or Paragon sandal to hit the staffer? This is high drama. Whatever happens the aircraft authorities should not budge from their current stand.

GUWonder

There is -- with some notable exception -- definitely a different standard applied to the powerful, wealthy and well-connected than there is to your average Rajinder/Mohammad/George/Bhupinder.

The thuggish MP "banned" can game this "ban", with or without external help. I'd be surprised if the Civil Aviation Ministry can't still force AI to transport this guy.

Flyfromscratch

Ask and you shall be rewarded.. the govt. is now changing laws to ensure Airlines can't unilaterally ban passengers from flying, just so that this idiot can fly again.. Even the speaker of the house said "if the MP has to take train every time, it would waste a lot of time of an MP".. WHAT A JOKE our politicians are.. they have no shame..

L_D_M

That didn't take long, did it?

Flyfromscratch

Only 4 days since the ban actually.. the rule hasn't come into effect yet, but the wheels are in motion.. apparently, Shiv Sena holds too many votes in their bank for the upcoming Presidential Election, and BJP wants it to go their way..

So..

flyalways

You know that the concept of "blacklist" exists in airline travel, correct ?
There have been many instances in the past where other airlines have
done it so this is not a new thing. Maybe AI did not have it but banning
a customer for lifetime exists in Airline, Hotel and other hospitality
businesses...

B747-437B

I don't think you understand my point. I have no objection to Air India or anyone else "black listing" anyone who has caused a disruption. However, there needs to be due process followed and proper safeguards to ensure that the privacy of the accused is protected until the necessary evidence is evaluated.

In this specific case, it is obvious that Gaekwad is an arrogant politician who admits to his actions, so the facts are not in dispute. However, tomorrow there could quite easily be a situation where an opposition legislator is "black listed" on spurious grounds to prevent him voting on pending legislation, or the "black list" is used as a tool in industrial or political disputes.

I would much rather see this incident serve as a catalyst for a properly administered "black list" to be introduced with transparent criteria for inclusion, removal and review, even though that might mean letting Gaekwad get away with his actions in the short term.

flyalways

Black-listing is usually for egregious behavior and really a very last
resort used after repeated warnings...I like this concept to get rid of the
really problematic customers. I have never heard of anyone being
put in the black list for any other reason. But in India anything is
possible so I hope there is a due process as you suggest...

Redhat72

It seems AI changed the Pune-Delhi AI-852 flight to a A320 neo with business class. This change is effective starting today & the insider news is that it was as per the Govt's directive so that the controversial MP Mr. Gaikwad can take the first flight after the revoked ban & fly business.

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/weeks...-today-1679282

deovrat

You mean to say Pune-Delhi, right?

Anyway, I think their latest A320NEO delivery was already earmarked for this route. The morning flight used to be operated by ancient 23 year old A320s, which they are phasing out with the NEOs.

Coincidence maybe. I don't think AI are benevolent enough about this incident to grant a brand new aircraft and re-jig the whole aircraft scheduling for one MP alone.

flyertalker54234

One has to ask how likely politicians are to be subject to the full force of the law. Where it is unlikely to have much net effect then in the interests of safety alone, all passengers who indulge in violence to staff, other passengers or security staff should be banned from travel on any airline. If people are unable to control themselves then they need either more motivation and or medical assistance. Maybe after undertaking a meaningful course of treatment for anger management perhaps.