Getting out of Bombay (Mumbai) is a very traumatic experience. Once upon a time BA staff escorted you through immigration and customs direct to the departure gate and for some reason that has been discontinued. I flew out of Bombay in First Class in jan 03 and here is the times and experience
1. Arrive at the departure area Very crowded with visitors and you have to either jostle your way to the free trolleys or pay Rs 50 to an unlicensed porter with a free trolley. I recommend it as it makes the following steps easier WATCH YOUR WALLET
2. Fork out your ticket for checking at the gate
3. Enter the gate and put your checked luggage thro XRays and they will be strapped. Porter is very useful here
4. Go to the check in Desk
5. Collect your boarding pass and go to the lounge
6. Leave the lounge and clear immigration. It took us over one hour as the staff were working to rule and we were behind a huge group of workers going to gulf.
7. Clear customs usually very easy
8. Go to Gate or if you are oneworld ruby or emerald you can use Cathay Lounge which we did
Good luck and you need lots of it. They have made it very easy to enter India in Bombay and we were out in 10 minutes and getting out of the country was a very difficult and harrowing experience

[This message has been edited by drbala (edited 05-01-2003).]