Hello Everyone!
Welcome back.
In my last article I talked about how we prepared for the trip to Kashmir.
If you haven’t read the article yet you can read it here:
My journey to Kashmir 2024 (Part 2)
My journey to Kashmir 2024 (Part 1)
In this article we will talk about beginning of the actual journey.
Let’s begin.
The Journey Begins
We 5 people went to Kashmir together.
Let’s deep dive into the actual journey.
Catching the Flight
As we purchased ticket for Air from Dhaka to Srinagar, Kashmir.
We needed to catch the flight.
3 of our team members had the morning flight.
And rest 2 of us had to get the evening flight.
This time, we are travelling on Air India flight.
As our first 3 members board in the morning flight, we specially told them to text the address immediately after they reached at hotel.
Because we did not have any Indian SIM card we could not contact them.
We used WhatsApp messenger service for our regular communication.
Our flight time was at 8:45 PM or 20:45.
So rest 2 of us, me and my wife, reached at the airport on time.
We stay nearby Dhaka International Airport.
So it was easier for us to reach the airport in a very short time.
As I do a daily job in a company, I had to manage to take leave from office.
So, rest 2 of us had no choice but to select evening flight.
We entered as the airport around 6:30 PM.
Around 2+ hours before the flight.
But it is recommended that you should reach at the airport minimum 3 hours.
Because sometime there is a heavy rush at the airport.
In that case if you go late or without having enough time in hand,
What happened is, your airport formality, security check and the process take so much time that your flight can take off before you can board the flight.
If that happens you will have mostly left no option.
You missed your flight.
But my suggestion is , if you miss your flight ever in this scenario, you should have contacted with the airline company immediately so that they can arrange an alternative flight if available.
But this option may not work all the time.
By the way, In our case, in that particular day there was no heavy rush.
We could complete our process in short period of time.
Getting the Flight Ticket
After entered into the airport departure gate,
We first went to Airline company, Air India, desk to collect our ticket.
Everyone had to collect there physical ticket from airline company before the flight.
We requested to get 2 better seats with window side.
The Airline Agent was to cordial, but he had no choice to give us the seats as we wished.
Because most of passengers already confirmed their tickets and booked seats of that Airplane.
We were the last people to get the ticket.
So, there were not many available seats that he could give us.
So he had to give us 2 aisle seats not even in the same side but in a different side though in same row as seats were not available.
But, the gentleman from airline helped us another way, he gave and confirmed for us 2 better seats together with a window seat in the connecting flight.
Though we brought tickets from Dhaka to Srinagar.
But all the flights go to Srinagar with at least a transit point in Delhi Airport.
So, our first tickets were from Dhaka Airport to Delhi Airport.
And, connecting flight was from Delhi Airport to Srinagar Airport.
We were happy with that.
We thanked the airline agent for helping us.
A little tip for you, is that, if you want to get better seats in airplane flight, you need to contact airport airline agent and confirm your specific seat(s) as early as possible.
In the early time airline agent usually has the opportunity to provide you the ticket that you want.
But if you go late they usually don’t have the option left.
At the time of collecting tickets, you can give your big bag packs for the cargo.
Every Airline Counter has automated luggage collecting system.
You just need to give your luggage to them it will automatically go through the process.
But if your bags are not too big, you can keep it with you in the flight.
In our case, we only carry two bags that are not so big. So we carried with us.
Security Check
After we collected our flight tickets, next step is go through the security check.
We entered the security checkup line.
We completed the process of security check.
Security personnel gave us “ok to go” signal and then we went to next step: Immigration Clearance.
Immigration Clearance
After necessary security checkup we needed to go to Immigration Officer for Departure clearance.
You should bring all necessary documents handy so that if anything you need to show to immigration officer you can show.
Usually immigration officer asks some primary questions, if found suspicious that they started through questions.
Please don’t be panic.
Don’t be afraid.
Just stay calm and gentle. This will help a lot.
Immigration officer asked me about my profession.
I told exactly what I mentioned in my Visa Application Form. You need to do that same thing.
The profession you need to mention what you mentioned in the Visa Application Form.
If there is any mismatch found between your document and your verbal declaration that may result in harassment for you.
I think, Profession is the primary and mostly only question that immigration officer asks.
Sometime they want to see the supporting documents related to your profession , for example, NOC (No Objection Certificate) from you Employer Company if you do a job, Trade License if you do a business and related documents.
But it depends.
But you need to keep the documents with you.
I am saying again, always keep the necessary documents with you whether anyone want to see or not.
Just keep it.
Keeping the necessary documents gives you administrative safety.
Waiting Room Before Boarding
After we collected tickets and completed necessary security and immigration checks, we were now headed to the waiting room before boarding on airplane.
You may feel relaxed after reaching this point.
Because most of all major parts before boarding on plane are completed.
Whenever airplane is ready to board, airline agents will show you the way to board.
Our flight got delayed by an hour.
But we waited in that particular room.
Boarding on Plane
After an hour, airline agent announced that airplane is ready.
We need to follow them for boarding.
Airline agents cross-checked our air tickets and passports for necessary clearance.
Then they gave us “ok to board” signal.
We walked through their guided way.
Now we were walking towards airplane get our seats.
That’s all today.
Talk next article.
Until then take care.