hey guy of sajha...

have seen you guys give a lot of advice to different nepali's. i got a little dilemma over here. i already got the tickets to nepal via delhi.. now i come to find out that there is now way i could directly check out my luggage in kathmandu bcoz now i find out that qoute "air india and indian airlines are two completely different companies, even though they are affiliated." this was said by the representative of indian airlines. have heard a lot of shit that happens in india.. could any of you guys offer me any advice.. by the way the airfare was cheap. got the deal for a two way flight from JFK  to Delhi in 1000$ which is very cheap comparing to direct flight to nepal via any other transit plus its only 13 hours flight to delhi saves a lot of time and money,,,


help me out guys...

bro...you are right. even though Air India (AI) and Indian Airlines (IC) are the same company now, their system is yet to merge. However, you should be able to check bags all the way to KTM if you have IC flight from DEL to KTM. Actually, i have also travelled with AI and my last leg of the route was with IC flying me from BOM to KTM. They checked my bags all the way to KTM...should not be a problem with that. The AI agent you talked to must have known this, or you ask for the station incharge when you call or talk to them next time.

now, since you have abt 13 hrs transit in India, you might have to claim your baggages in DEL even though IA and IC transfer baggages. some airlines and airports have specific rules not to hold baggages for more than specific period of time. even though you have to claim your baggages in India, which probably you have to do, as many people travelling to KTM via DEL have had to, there will not be any problems or hassles. Just be extra cautious abt your baggages regarding simple things: don't leave you baggages alone, even for a second or even while going to use the restrooms or while going to get something etc. don't trust anyone--even the uniformed people or policemen when it comes to baggages. if you can, don;t leave the International Terminal Transit area--the area you'll land and take off from.....as long as you're in there, you dont need to worry very much because this area is a secured area where only ticketed passengers are allowed and is constantly monitered by regular and tourist police.

last but not the least--make sure you have some changes...either dollars or IC's.

Enjoy your trip!

Don't worry about your baggage. But remember few things before taking that route.

There is no separate gate for transit passengers so don't bother trying to find one. You will just end up in the immigration counters. Don't pass the immigration, instead just wait there until everyone leaves. After couple of minutes when you are alone there, one babu will approach and asks your problem. Tell him that you want to go to transit and show him your flight schedule. Then you will be told to take a seat in a corner as he tries to contact the airlines you have just taken to land there.

Then the guy from the airlines will come and asks for your baggage tags. Note down his ID number and name before he leaves, there is no way but to trust him. After sometime he will show his face again, hands you back your tag stubs and asks you to follow him. Just follow him : )) he will sign you personally to the transit area. Then there is nothing but to wait. Usually 2 hours before your flight somebody comes looking for you. You have to give him your passport and tickets, he will take you to another babu inside who is gonna ask you some stupid questions. There you can see your baggage and you need to identify it personally. Then the babu will chalk mark it and you are done.

Have a good trip !

i'm also flyin via delhi. heard dat I need to take my baggage to transit myself... how it works ?

There was a discussion a while ago. Hope it helps.

http://sajha.com/sajha/html/OpenThread.cfm?forum=2&ThreadID=63308#630388