Your personal airport/travelling experiences

[Mohsin]

The thread says it all

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/...rom-london-050

I came across this editorial (shocked me) and i was just wondering if any PPers have any personal experiences be it at the airport...on the plane, anything.

Can be amusing, crazy, scary...whatever!

[Amir]

I have had relatively good experiences. The only bad experience I can think of was when I was six and we were going on PIA. I asked for some crackers and the flight steward so rudely said I couldn't have any cause we just had dinner. It was like as if she was my mom or something.

Not scary but annoying if I still remember it!

[Salman]

I sat in the upper deck which is behind the pilots cabin on a 747 a few years back when flying to Karachi, it was during off season so the flight was packed with staff.

one by one, various passengers (staff) would walk up into the pilots cabin for a chit chat and a cigarette with the captain throughout the flight.... mind you this was around 2002, i wonder they still can get away with it these days.

[adi_6294]

I was travelling to dubai from lahore...it was seems to be very good journey till i reached dubai's airport...where i was surprised to see the behavior of there airport staff...they were all from arabian origin...mostly were nationals of UAE...but it was ridiculous how they reacted with us(pakistani members)....they were shouting at us loudly in the immigration region...n speaking bad words about our origin...some of the members take it as offence and reacted back to them...but overhaul it was very dissapointing behavior showen by them....

[Zaz]

Originally Posted by adi_6294 I was travelling to dubai from lahore...it was seems to be very good journey till i reached dubai's airport...where i was surprised to see the behavior of there airport staff...they were all from arabian origin...mostly were nationals of UAE...but it was ridiculous how they reacted with us(pakistani members)....they were shouting at us loudly in the immigration region...n speaking bad words about our origin...some of the members take it as offence and reacted back to them...but overhaul it was very dissapointing behavior showen by them....

from a personal experience most arabs i came across from uae are rude, arrogant and simply twats

Theyve got their head stuck up their backside

[srh]

I was going to Karachi from Colombo in Sri Lankan Airlines and during the flight 2 pakistanis, after drinking alcohol, start fighting with each other. The look at air hostesses faces showed that they were expecting it.

[Zaz]

Originally Posted by srh I was going to Karachi from Colombo in Sri Lankan Airlines and during the flight 2 pakistanis, after drinking alcohol, start fighting with each other. The look at air hostesses faces showed that they were expecting it.

Bahrain 2 islamabad

Travelling with a plane load of elderly hajis, on the plane one of the agents started kicking off with the pakistani air stewardess, started saying u dont know who i am, he was shouting and was calling her all sorts, rude and jahil

Once at the airport we queued up to produce our passports but the other passengers didnt bother queuing, there was a wave of passengers that pushed past us and created a mass crowd trying to push their way thru, we were left towards the end

After we picked our luggage we were subjected to a search of our luggage and the person expected some chai pani seeing we were from uk

Utter nightmare

[SIMBA]

Lahore Airport custom officers suck

I was there on my own for a flight back home to England. They randomly told me open my bag and inside there were ladys clothes (moms) and tea pots. The custom officer through a fit asking of why was I carrying ladies clothes as if that should concern him. I got jeezed off and told him to stfu, packed my bag and moved away. He was shocked- he probably thought I would tolerate his crap and pay him bribe. He did not no that my uncle is a senior custom officer at the same Airport and as soon he saw him- he went red and apologised.

Wonder how others are treated who find themselves in my situation who do not have any contacts like I did.

Arabs are idiots- they are lucky that they got oil or other wise they would have been worse of then Pakistan, India. Arabs are western poodles.

[Zu456]

I find flights fine almost fun - I spend the whole time listening to my ipod/playing on my psp so time goes quick and when we land my ears never heart like some peoples.

[Paradox]

So is this only experiences for Pakistan?

[Garuda]

4 years back, Bangalore (OLD airport before new one opened)

4-5 international flights arrived together. The entire baggage claim area was full with baggages (no place for passenger to stand). The authorities stopped all passengers before escalator, and allowed 10 at a time to go, pick their baggage and get out, next 10 then.

It was frustrating for me as it was past midnight and I was really tired after more than 20 hours of flight.

[Ayyub]

Originally Posted by Garuda 4 years back, Bangalore (OLD airport before new one opened) 4-5 international flights arrived together. The entire baggage claim area was full with baggages (no place for passenger to stand). The authorities stopped all passengers before escalator, and allowed 10 at a time to go, pick their baggage and get out, next 10 then. It was frustrating for me as it was past midnight and I was really tired after more than 20 hours of flight.

same like multan hehe same experience like me brother but i had it 3 times

[Garuda]

Second awkward one :-

Being very over confident traveller, I keep all my clothes in check-in baggage and prefer to carry as lighter as I can for my cabin bag (mostly just my laptop).

Arrived at Helsinki, Finland via Paris and found my baggage never boarded from paris and would come to me after 6-8 hours.

Out side temp is -12 deg and I look like tin tin with a jeans and round neck T-shirt.

Lesson learnt : Always keep a pair of dress with you in cabin baggage if you are on a business trip.

[Garuda]

Originally Posted by Ayyub same like multan hehe same experience like me brother but i had it 3 times

Man, you must be scared to land in Multan.

Good thing for me is Bangalore new airport opened few days after that incident and never had that issue later.

[Liberty]

Slight tangent; Who thinks Lahore Airport is overrated?

[Nazir_ Rules]

Fun, in my cases. Thanks to Allah.

[Paradox]

Anyway.. the last time I travelled to Pakistan was last year.. I went to Karachi.

Departing from Karachi was a horrible experience.

--

(for those of you who know) as soon as you enter the airport, there's a security check, along with the policemen who check who you are, where you're going, etc,.

The conversation between me and the idiot policeman there went something like this (this was all in Urdu, by the way):

Him: *takes my passport, boarding pass, etc.* What's your name?

*I tell him my name*

Him: Where are you going?

Me: Bangkok.

Him: Why are you going to Bangkok?

Me: I live there.

Him: *in a slightly angry tone* So why did you come to Karachi then?

Me: (I got a bit ticked off too because he was acting like a mong) .. obviously for a holiday? And I wanted to meet my mother's side of my family.

Him: So you're travelling with your mother too?

Me: Obviously!

Him: Where is she?

Me: *points to my mom*

Him: Okay. So who else lives with you in Bangkok?

Me: My dad, and my elder brother.

Him: What's your elder brother's name?

(I tell him my elder brother's name)

Him: What does your dad do there? Is he in the garment business?

Me: No, why? He's in the steel business.

Him: Okay. aap ki Urdu bohot toothi phooti hai, kyun? (Your Urdu is not totally up to scratch, why?)

Me: acha? (Really?) *I said that because I find nothing wrong with my Urdu, I don't know why he did*

Him: Why is your Urdu not up to scratch?

Me: I don't find anything wrong with it. Must be because I moved out of Karachi when I was very young and I speak English at home.

Him: Okay.

(I'm holding a huge cricket kitbag because I bought a whole kit in Karachi)

Him: *points to kitbag* What's in there?

Me: (now totally pissed off) What do you expect? It's a cricket kitbag, so there must be cricket equipment in there.

Him: Okay, after you pass baggage security check, open the bag and show it to the policeman there. (then tells the policeman to open this kitbag after I'm through the baggage security check) Okay you can go now.

--

THEN, after passing baggage check, this is the conversation that happens between me and the other policeman:

Him: Open the cricket kitbag.

(I open the kitbag)

Then he opens all the pads, gloves.. looks carefully inside them for god knows what, opens the bats and checks closely too. I think he was more interested in looking at how good the bats I bought were rather than finding drugs or stuff in it . All this while, I'm looking at him all pissed off and the other policemen are having a laugh about it. Then..

Him: (notices the backpack I'm carrying) What's that?

Me: It's my backpack.

Him: Okay open that.

Me: ARGH okay.

(he looks at me in a weird way, possibly thinking why I'm pissed off )

Then he finds the laptop in my bag..

Him: Is this a laptop?

Me: YES, IT'S A LAPTOP.

Him: Okay. Whose is it?

Me: It's my mom's.. but I brought it along to use it for myself because this is a smaller laptop and it's easy to carry around.

Him: Why are you using your mom's laptop?

Me: I just told you!

Him: Okay, turn it on.

.. I turn it on for him. He checks the Desktop, checks a few folders. He opens Internet Explorer for god knows what reason.

Him: Okay, that's fine. You can go now.

I turn the laptop off and leave.

--

They also asked my mom loads of questions too. Opened the suitcase, asked why we were taking food like curry masalas, powders, food mixes, etc,. and my mom explained that we don't get them in Bangkok. They aren't convinced but they let her go through later too.

All this lasted around 20 minutes. Crap, crap experience.

[Xohaib]

hahaahhaha wow they ask so many questions to everyone?
When you show them that you are pissed they will ask you more and more question to enjoy.

[ali110]

paradox, BTW, this is just a normal experience. They have the right to check each and every thing and I don't mind as long as it is normal search procedure but not "search and destroy" procedure.

One thing I find really weird is this carrying perfumes and other accessories in plastic zip lock bag. Once we were coming from Turkey to NYC and wifey didn't put her "accessories" in check-in baggage and she was confident that the security won't mind, carrying her large bottles of perfumes and what not but to her shock and as per my expectations, she got stopped and security officer asked her to throw these bottles into the bin or she can't be boarded to the flight. She almost started crying to hear this BS and now I know I have to do something otherwise this trip is doomed. Anyway, quick thinking, I asked security officer to give us some time to bid farewell to our beloved perfumes. I then ran to the Duty free shop in the terminal and asked them about plastic zip lock bag and told her that we just bought a perfume and security won't let us carry it to our flight. Finally after some talking to them in broken Turkish and English, I convinced them that we "really" bought a bottle from them and need a zip lock bag. Finally ran back to the security line, put everything in the plastic bag and passed the security line without any trouble.

Since then I always carry a plastic zip lock bag every time, I travel whether domestically or internationally.

[Paradox]

Yeah but it's almost as if he's an interviewer who wants to know everything about my life. Next time when I go there he might just ask me crap like where I buy my clothes from or how long I take in the shower.

[Zaz]

Originally Posted by Paradox Yeah but it's almost as if he's an interviewer who wants to know everything about my life. Next time when I go there he might just ask me crap like where I buy my clothes from or how long I take in the shower.

I answer questions that are relevant ie where im going, who im with etc etc but not when they start talking rubbish

Tell em nicely none of you business

[Ayyub]

Originally Posted by Paradox Anyway.. the last time I travelled to Pakistan was last year.. I went to Karachi. Departing from Karachi was a horrible experience. -- (for those of you who know) as soon as you enter the airport, there's a security check, along with the policemen who check who you are, where you're going, etc,. The conversation between me and the idiot policeman there went something like this (this was all in Urdu, by the way): Him: *takes my passport, boarding pass, etc.* What's your name? *I tell him my name* Him: Where are you going? Me: Bangkok. Him: Why are you going to Bangkok? Me: I live there. Him: *in a slightly angry tone* So why did you come to Karachi then? Me: (I got a bit ticked off too because he was acting like a mong) .. obviously for a holiday? And I wanted to meet my mother's side of my family. Him: So you're travelling with your mother too? Me: Obviously! Him: Where is she? Me: *points to my mom* Him: Okay. So who else lives with you in Bangkok? Me: My dad, and my elder brother. Him: What's your elder brother's name? (I tell him my elder brother's name) Him: What does your dad do there? Is he in the garment business? Me: No, why? He's in the steel business. Him: Okay. aap ki Urdu bohot toothi phooti hai, kyun? (Your Urdu is not totally up to scratch, why?) Me: acha? (Really?) *I said that because I find nothing wrong with my Urdu, I don't know why he did* Him: Why is your Urdu not up to scratch? Me: I don't find anything wrong with it. Must be because I moved out of Karachi when I was very young and I speak English at home. Him: Okay. (I'm holding a huge cricket kitbag because I bought a whole kit in Karachi) Him: *points to kitbag* What's in there? Me: (now totally pissed off) What do you expect? It's a cricket kitbag, so there must be cricket equipment in there. Him: Okay, after you pass baggage security check, open the bag and show it to the policeman there. (then tells the policeman to open this kitbag after I'm through the baggage security check) Okay you can go now. -- THEN, after passing baggage check, this is the conversation that happens between me and the other policeman: Him: Open the cricket kitbag. (I open the kitbag) Then he opens all the pads, gloves.. looks carefully inside them for god knows what, opens the bats and checks closely too. I think he was more interested in looking at how good the bats I bought were rather than finding drugs or stuff in it . All this while, I'm looking at him all pissed off and the other policemen are having a laugh about it. Then.. Him: (notices the backpack I'm carrying) What's that? Me: It's my backpack. Him: Okay open that. Me: ARGH okay. (he looks at me in a weird way, possibly thinking why I'm pissed off ) Then he finds the laptop in my bag.. Him: Is this a laptop? Me: YES, IT'S A LAPTOP. Him: Okay. Whose is it? Me: It's my mom's.. but I brought it along to use it for myself because this is a smaller laptop and it's easy to carry around. Him: Why are you using your mom's laptop? Me: I just told you! Him: Okay, turn it on. .. I turn it on for him. He checks the Desktop, checks a few folders. He opens Internet Explorer for god knows what reason. Him: Okay, that's fine. You can go now. I turn the laptop off and leave. -- They also asked my mom loads of questions too. Opened the suitcase, asked why we were taking food like curry masalas, powders, food mixes, etc,. and my mom explained that we don't get them in Bangkok. They aren't convinced but they let her go through later too. All this lasted around 20 minutes. Crap, crap experience.

u r mummy daddy bacha ...bharam dekhta yaar

ya police wale ko 100 rupees deta :younis

[Paradox]

Originally Posted by Zaz I answer questions that are relevant ie where im going, who im with etc etc but not when they start talking rubbish Tell em nicely none of you business

Yeah I was planning to say that, but then I thought, why create trouble - if I say none of your business they might get suspicious, or take it in the wrong way and think I said it rudely.

[Zaz]

Originally Posted by Paradox Yeah I was planning to say that, but then I thought, why create trouble - if I say none of your business they might get suspicious, or take it in the wrong way and think I said it rudely.

I know wot u mean, after all it is pakistan

[AZ]

met Benazir on a flight to NY in 1998, that was interesting.

lol, and back in 2005, was flying to Lahore from Dubai on New Years Eve, but foggy conditions made it impossible to land in Lahore, so the flight was diverted to Peshawar...had to wait in Peshawar Airport for a good 5-6 hours.

[AZ]

2 more:

- back in 96, blew 30 pounds on the 'Virtua Striker' arcade game waiting for our flight to Dubai from Heathrow...Dad was not amused at all

- again in 98, we were at Chicago's O' Hare Airport, waiting for our flight to LA, when a very drunk white lady came and sat next to me in the lounge, remember her getting very 'friendly' with me, made me sit on her lap as well! that was really weird!

[Mohsin]

Arabs are just...nevermind

Originally Posted by Haroom Lahore Airport custom officers suck I was there on my own for a flight back home to England. They randomly told me open my bag and inside there were ladys clothes (moms) and tea pots. The custom officer through a fit asking of why was I carrying ladies clothes as if that should concern him. I got jeezed off and told him to stfu, packed my bag and moved away. He was shocked- he probably thought I would tolerate his crap and pay him bribe. He did not no that my uncle is a senior custom officer at the same Airport and as soon he saw him- he went red and apologised. Wonder how others are treated who find themselves in my situation who do not have any contacts like I did. Arabs are idiots- they are lucky that they got oil or other wise they would have been worse of then Pakistan, India. Arabs are western poodles.

Kind of same thing when i was coming back from Pakistan in August 2005 at Islamabad Airport. I had only turned 15 and i was with my mum, there was a women customs official checking my bag.
I'l admit, i had a few DVDs/games with me but she couldnt care less about those...rather there were a few ciggerrette packs in my mums bag for my uncle.

The women trying to be clever was like, whats this? who for? Oh well you cant take these (they were WELL below the allowed amount)...i told her its well below the allowed amount...she then changes her tone and angrily says..'well theres a law, women cant take ciggerettes. before looking to my mum in a 'though for a few Rupees that law may change' kind of way. I got pi55ed, told her where to stick her bribe, saying things (with a few choice English words) like 'you're pathetic, its people like you that give this country a bad name etc etc' i then shouted really loud 'im not giving you a bribe' that instant a whole load of people just looked over at me...the women i think was just dazed as was my mum.

Took my bag and commenced, really pi55ed

[Boi]

First time I went on Hajj, I think it was January 2005. It was a chartered flight and we arrived at the airport 2 hours before the flight was to take off. The flight however, was delayed for a further 5 hours and the whole Hajj group had to sit at Manchester Airport waiting for the news.
A few hours later we had boarded the flight and everything was set to take off. Then, there was a luggage problem as the bloody airline couldn't get the luggage on in time. So we sat in the plane for like an hour or so...
When the flight finally took off and we were in the air, first a passenger fainted. There was an on-board doctor who went to check up and he fainted too. A few hours later the air hostess fainted. Absolute chaos in the plane!

Then when everything went back to normal and we were 2 hours away from landing...I get a nose bleed.

Oh boy! What a crazy, crazy journey that was.

[Mohsin]

Originally Posted by Boi So we sat in the plane for like an hour or so... When the flight finally took off and we were in the air, first a passenger fainted. There was an on-board doctor who went to check up and he fainted too. A few hours later the air hostess fainted. Absolute chaos in the plane! Then when everything went back to normal and we were 2 hours away from landing...I get a nose bleed. Oh boy! What a crazy, crazy journey that was.

Reminds me a little of this (0:25-1:00)



Dr has fainted!

[hasanb]

I travel to and from Dubai quite frequently since my family is down there and more often then not im met by surly and rather unpleasant immigration officials (all local arabs)...on more than one occasion they have seen that i obviously have a Pakistani passport and upon seeing that they very rudely snatch at it...

Then they see my long term UK residence permit and their whole demeanour changes in a flash!! from being rude idiots...it goes to "oh sir how was your flight?"

Hah quite amusing actually

[amar1212]

the plane was delayed 2 hours on the JFK air port
bad food on Saudi airline when me and my fam went to jedda. (some sort of Kabab, it looked good from the outside, but didnt know what i got my self into after i was done eating)
the airport staff there not speaking English or (trouble understanding us)
hectic flight schedule
kept our passports without telling where to get them back..


but PIA was awesome when we went to Karachi from there.

[hasanb]

Originally Posted by amar1212 bad food on saudian airline when me and my fam went to jedda. the airport staff there not speaking English or (trouble understanding us) hectic flight schedule had to wait 2/3 hours to get a hotel room because of delayed flight kept our passwords without telling where to get them back.. but PIA was awesome when we went to Karachi from there.

You needed passwords to get on the plane....? What on earth??

[amar1212]

Originally Posted by hasanb You needed passwords to get on the plane....? What on earth??

i meant Passport

[Tapori]

(all local arabs)

You truly have to admire UAE and Saudi immigration staffs demeanor -

They see you as a hindrance to their own banter - Its like:

"Oh, do you want me to check that? Can't you see I'm conversing with my more important brethren on the other desks..."

[Striver]

guys..... let's not mostly single out the Arabs now.....

i travel back n forth from Toronto to Regina and the rudest ppl i come accross are desis predominantly sikhs working on the airport......

once this white guy was infront of me in the line..... he goes through the normal check.....

but when my turn came this sikh laddy made me take off my shoes also.....and did one of those random checks...... lol i thought that was kinda racist since she didn't ask the white guy to take off his cz we both had very similar dress shoes....... may b cz of my name or

[Zaz]

Arabs are the worst One example ive got is when i was travellin from dubai with my brother We were in queue sandwiched by a local arab I inturn sandwiched him n the rest of his family I asked him politely if i could move up ahead of him so im with my brother and he could be with his family He rudely said no So my brother let the arab go ahead of him

Next thing u know his family push thru ahead of us 2 be with him Fuming i wanted 2 say a few choice things 2 him but my brother stopped me Saying it dont matter..idiot

[ShehryarK]

In general, Arabs at immigration counters are far worse than Arabs in general, who are mostly great people and often, very polite.

[hasanb]

Originally Posted by ShehryarK In general, Arabs at immigration counters are far worse than Arabs in general, who are mostly great people and often, very polite.

Having spent 18 years of my life in Dubai i have to say that i very strongly disagree with that. There are arabs that are firiendly, humble and very polite however they are in a tiny minority mate at least as far as my experience goes.

[Hash]

Originally Posted by hasanb Having spent 18 years of my life in Dubai i have to say that i very strongly disagree with that. There are arabs that are firiendly, humble and very polite however they are in a tiny minority mate at least as far as my experience goes.

I lived in Dubai for four years and my experience with the locals there was the same as yours. I've had similar experiences with Saudi nationals and Qatari and Kuwaiti nationals.

Having said that every Iraqi, Palestinian and North African Arab I have met has been wonderful.

[Poison]

Have been very lucky with flights in Pakistan because my dad's old university friend is one of the head honchos with security at Islamabad airport. Pretty amazing sometimes aswell, got onto an Emirates flight without going through any sort of check-in/baggage check at all when we got to the airport with less than an hour to go for our flight.


Also met Wasim Akram at some South Asian airport in 1999, was too embarrassed to ask for his autograph while my dad chatted to him; biggest regret in my life!

[Paradox]

Originally Posted by Poison Have been very lucky with flights in Pakistan because my dad's old university friend is one of the head honchos with security at Islamabad airport. Pretty amazing sometimes aswell, got onto an Emirates flight without going through any sort of check-in/baggage check at all when we got to the airport with less than an hour to go for our flight.

Isn't that sort of sifarishi?

[Waseem]

I always hear about Arabs being ARROGANT and all that and they really didn't disappoint me when i was in Dubai 2 weeks ago. Firstly on my way to Pakistan with my wife, i was in the queue and suddenly heard a LOUD and RUDE voice "BEHIND THE LINE". Me and my wife looked at each other and couldn't stop laughing(in disbelief) as only half of my foot was above the line. I found it extremely rude and turned my back on him as if i didn't hear anything, went to the counter when my turn came and the idiot kept talking to his Arab colleague without saying anything, checked everything and just put the passports ( Wife's passport was Pakistani) and kept talking. For about 30 seconds, i didn't even know that he had finished and we could pickup our passports and go.
After that, i didn't bother to greet any of the idiots on the airport and neither did any of them (except Emirates flight crew but they weren't Arabs anyway).
It wasn't really a horrible experience but just to confirm that Arabs didn't fail to disappoint me.

[Poison]

Originally Posted by Paradox Isn't that sort of sifarishi?

Otherwise known as 'getting lucky'.

[Waseem]

Now my horrible experience.
I was coming back from Pakistan with my family, my brother in law gave me phone number of custom officer in charge on that day which i thought i wouldn't need as we weren't carrying huge amount of luggage.
As soon as we enter Lahore airport, the officer asked us where we were going and all that. He asked us to open suitcacses.
My mum was bringing a dinner set,

He asked us where did you buy that from???

Told him we bought this from Lahore.

He looked at it and said " But this is made in Korea"

Quite confused, i said Hmm.....And???

Well you can't take it out of country when it's an import, you could take it if it's made in Pakistan.

I was obviously quite confused and shocked, couldn't believe what he was saying.

Kept arguing for a few minutes before he said said, look if you cooperate, everything will be fine.

I knew EXACTLY what he meant and ignored it but my brother got angry and said i know what kind of cooperation you are talking about.

He got angry and said "Now i will see how you take all this with you", you have got yourselves in trouble and argument breaks out.

I knew things won't work out and decided to use BIL's contact, rang him, he recognised me and asked me where was i, he was sitting probably 10 meters away. I had already realised that when he picked up the phone when i rang (i saw him picking up the phone). He was much more pleasant than i expected because my BIL had called him just before i called. He came to the officer and ordered him to let us go.

Officer was reluctant and angry but custom in charge ORDERED him angrily and asked him to pack everything properly. We ******** him off more to ask him to pack and lock everything properly and look on his face was worth all the hassles

Finally we were on our way but trouble didn't end their. There were so many security checks that one of my brother said "whatesle do we have to go through man", one female worker heard that and started shouting that you people act like ANGRAIZ and criticise own country. My brothers started laughing as they didn't mean anything like that, just frustrated as one after another security check came. She said some insuling words about the whole family, my brothers said a few things as well and i kept asking them to calm down. She took our passports and said that she will not let us board this flight. So many people gathered there, senior ofificer came and she started yelling and shouting that i have been harassed and insulted and that we abused Pakistan. We were shocked and angry but i explained everything to officer who asked the lady to return the passport. She kept on creating a scene but evetually the senior officer grabbed the passports and returned to us...........................................UNBEL IEVEABLE DRAMA and a true nightmare.

[Paradox]

Nice story Waseem. Entertaining

Next time, if I were you, I'd note down their names and report them. Although not much would happen if you did.. but you never know.

[Poison]

^ Could land Waseem in jail lol.

[pakmania]

Went on Shaheen airlines,food was horrible and my brother was quite sick in Pakistan and wasnt fit to travel on a particular day to fly to Britain so we had to rebook.Never got a refund or so much as a phone call despite the fact they said they would immediately refund us for any health-related issues.We sent 5 letters to our local MP to complain until they responded.Still no refund and this trip was in April 2008 !

[hasanb]

Originally Posted by Paradox Nice story Waseem. Entertaining Next time, if I were you, I'd note down their names and report them. Although not much would happen if you did.. but you never know.

It depends on who you know, if you have the right contacts they could even arrange to cane the guy in front of you.

It all depends on who you know...Pakistan Zindabad

[Dhirajmes]

Mumbai International Airport, 2003

Was in a very long queue for the baggage x-ray on arrival.

Thought I'd try out some of my acting skills on a passing officer, since his name
tag told me he was Maharashtrian. (No offence to Maharashtrians, but a large
number of Marathi officers at the Mumbai Airport, brought in by the Shiv Sena's
lobbying, are parochial to a bizarre degree) So while this officer is passing, I
start sighing and lamenting the fact that the queue is so long -- not very loudly,
but in the most backwoods, rustic Marathi dialect possible. (This makes for a
nice contrast with my Armani suit) Hey presto -- the officer takes a long squint
at my luggage, loudly asks me "What do you have in there"? and pulls me off
into a side corridor, from where he shows me a ten-second exit out the terminal!

Service has improved massively now after privatization, so such stunts aren't possible.

But how things once were...

[Paradox]

Nice story, dhirajmes.

[Dhirajmes]

Originally Posted by Paradox Nice story, dhirajmes.

Thanks!

[Monsee]

Originally Posted by ShehryarK In general, Arabs at immigration counters are far worse than Arabs in general, who are mostly great people and often, very polite.

I totally disagree...some of them are really kind and helpful too!

Was in Dubai in Augsut 09, landed at 1:30 AM (early morning) and found out that since my wife still had a Pakistani passport (My daughter and I have American passports)...we have to get her a visa (even though our connecting flight was in less than 8 hours or 10). We were planning on going to the free hotel, taking a shower and maybe a shut eye for a few hours.

They quoted me a price for the visa (for that short stay over) which was around 350 dirhams (something similar) which is less than a $100 U.S. dollars but for some reason, I kept thinking 1 dirham was 3 times the U.S. dollar and it would amount to $300 dollars or something. I had my 1 year old daughter in a little strowler and wife/I were tired as heck and hungry/sleepy too.

I tried reasoning with the officers that I have been through Dubai before in the pas, and I had the Pakistani passport back then but I was never asked to apply for a visa...they told me that it was a recent change and that I have to pay the fee no matter what. After spending $2300+ (correction: $3250 ) in tickets for the month long trip, buying little gifts for 40+ family members (both sides)...I was like I am not paying this extra fee which is more like a Bhatta fee just because they could charge us.

I argued with a few (for a half hour or so) and eventually was losing all hope when a fellow passenger (a Yameni I think) who saw my misery told to go speak with the superior of these folks. I went and spoke with him and told him how I don't think I have the money to pay the extra fee (I was still thinking it was a 300+ U.S. dollars fee). His name was Khalid, he initially said that we have to pay the fee like everyone else. I told him about my past visits through Dubai and that I never paid a single penny in the past. Eventually he said 'I can pay it for you'; I shook his hand and said 'Thank You brother but I would rather stay at the airport than make you pay for me.'

He told me that he would come and speak with me and to wait. I again re-iterated that I am not willing to make him way and thanked him for his kindness. After waiting for a few minutes, he came and told me that he had used his influence to have the payment waived/paid through some govt fund...showed me the stamp of the payment too. I asked him if it indeed was the govt that paid/waived the fee and not him who paid out of his pocket. He assured me that he did not pay for it, I thanked him, shook his hand and finally we were able to go the airport hotel.

I still remember his kind face and hospitality...some of the immigration folks on the counters were not as kind though but in general I expected that. Only later on I found out that the fee was actually less than a $100 U.S. dollars.

On a side note, upon reaching our hotel, we found boiling desert water in the bath area (even though the hotel was newish and looked quite decent/nice). We were barely able to wash up a little with that water (showering with boiling water did not feel that attractive). We had shut eye for a few hours and went back to the airport for the flight to Pakistan, where we had first hand experience of the hell (reality) most Pakistanis face everyday. There was load shedding every hour (1 hour on and one hour off), heat was amazing, humidity unbearable, and the sweat was world class and non-stop.

It was so bad that I told a U.S. colleague in an email that you sweat all the time and even sweat while bathing too...actually I still sweat thinking about that month in Pakistan:-)

[ShehryarK]

Originally Posted by hasanb Having spent 18 years of my life in Dubai i have to say that i very strongly disagree with that. There are arabs that are firiendly, humble and very polite however they are in a tiny minority mate at least as far as my experience goes.

Originally Posted by Hash I lived in Dubai for four years and my experience with the locals there was the same as yours. I've had similar experiences with Saudi nationals and Qatari and Kuwaiti nationals. Having said that every Iraqi, Palestinian and North African Arab I have met has been wonderful.

Fair enough gents - everyone will have their own personal experiences, so its all good. It is difficult and unhelpful to generalise anyway, since I prefer to see people as 'individuals' and not part of some 'collective race'.

Having said that, am happy to elaborate my point if it helps.

Not sure how many locals you interacted with on a daily basis, or socially, etc? Having worked with a lot of Arabs for many years, and interacting with many of them every day in various different capacities, and socialising with many others in non-work settings on a daily basis too... I can honestly say that in a professional setting, or even out in meetings etc, I haven't found a politer group of people than Bahrainis and Emiratis - easily the best behaved and friendliest of the Arab peoples in manners.

MIG bhai can add to this about his experiences in Bahrain. The worst amongst the Arabs are sadly the Egyptians and then probably the Lebanese. Many of the former are uncouth and needlessly impolite.

The above, in particular the comments about Emiratis, are very similar to the views of many of my other friends and family members who have spent many, many years here - some of them as long as 30 or 40 years

Saudis and Kuwaitis - let's not go there

[ShehryarK]

Originally Posted by Monsee I totally disagree...some of them are really kind and helpful too!

Interesting post, Monsee Thanks for sharing, sorry about your bad experience in Pak - I guess August is a bad month, especially these days in the PPP-Raj!

As for the Arab immigration officers, your points is valid. Often, the senior officers / managers are very polite and decent people in many such organisations; I guess since they are all educated and generally, quite comfortable/secure as individuals.

I do agree that some of them at other levels can be helpful too, but reading this thread, many people have other, not-so-good experiences too.

[Prince_Pathan]

getting dehydrated on a journey from london to dubai and needing injections and oral hydration to kep me surviving... thats seriously all i remember lol...

[Easa]

Originally Posted by ShehryarK Saudis and Kuwaitis - let's not go there

Why, exactly?

[Dhirajmes]

This post and those before it -- on the issue of "Arab immigration officer rudeness" --
are all subjective, but since I've traveled to every GCC country many times I can rank
them in descending order of politeness: Bahrain>Oman>Qatar>UAE>Saudi>Kuwait.

Again, this is subjective and all from 2-3 years ago.

[hasanb]

Originally Posted by Dhirajmes This post and those before it -- on the issue of "Arab immigration officer rudeness" -- are all subjective, but since I've traveled to every GCC country many times I can rank them in descending order of politeness: Bahrain>Oman>Qatar>UAE>Saudi>Kuwait. Again, this is subjective and all from 2-3 years ago.

Yes having also travelled to all the GCC countries I also pretty much agree with your assessment there. My own list would be slightly different but more or less the same...so starting with the politest down to the rudest mine would be as follows:

1. Oman
2. Bahrain
3. Qatar
4. Saudi Arabia
5. UAE
6 Kuwait

I feel that the above scale is in fact fairly reflective of the majority of locals in those countries as well, i firmly believe the Omanis and Bahrainis to be the politest arabs i have come across.

[Boi]

Originally Posted by Mohsin

There's more to it...

I was sitting next to a kid around same age as me (at that time) on the window side. Every time I tried to go to sleep he'd nudge me and say...'Oh look check that out!' Looking out of the window.

Got very annoying...

[Dhirajmes]

Originally Posted by hasanb Yes having also travelled to all the GCC countries I also pretty much agree with your assessment there. My own list would be slightly different but more or less the same...so starting with the politest down to the rudest mine would be as follows: 1. Oman 2. Bahrain 3. Qatar 4. Saudi Arabia 5. UAE 6 Kuwait I feel that the above scale is in fact fairly reflective of the majority of locals in those countries as well, i firmly believe the Omanis and Bahrainis to be the politest arabs i have come across.

And the reasons for this seem pretty clear: Bahrain and Oman
are the two GCC states that have either limited oil or have run
out of pretty much all their oil. Consequently, they have a real
middle class, that has to earn its living through education and
jobs -- it cannot depend on endless freebies and patronage.

Bahrain and Oman are also the most secularized of the GCC
states, perhaps barring Dubai. The only places in the GCC to
have Hindu temples are Oman, Bahrain and Dubai. Oman, in
fact, has had Hindu citizens for three hundred years -- Kutchi
businessmen and traders who lived in Muscat. The richest man
in Oman is a Hindu businessman -- Khimji -- also an Omani citizen.

[ShehryarK]

Originally Posted by Easa Why, exactly?

In general, many are less humble, less educated and not very friendly or polite, even the cab drivers act as if they're doing you a favour when they need your money!

[murphyslaw79]

Originally Posted by ShehryarK Fair enough gents - everyone will have their own personal experiences, so its all good. It is difficult and unhelpful to generalise anyway, since I prefer to see people as 'individuals' and not part of some 'collective race'. Having said that, am happy to elaborate my point if it helps. Not sure how many locals you interacted with on a daily basis, or socially, etc? Having worked with a lot of Arabs for many years, and interacting with many of them every day in various different capacities, and socialising with many others in non-work settings on a daily basis too... I can honestly say that in a professional setting, or even out in meetings etc, I haven't found a politer group of people than Bahrainis and Emiratis - easily the best behaved and friendliest of the Arab peoples in manners. MIG bhai can add to this about his experiences in Bahrain. The worst amongst the Arabs are sadly the Egyptians and then probably the Lebanese. Many of the former are uncouth and needlessly impolite. The above, in particular the comments about Emiratis, are very similar to the views of many of my other friends and family members who have spent many, many years here - some of them as long as 30 or 40 years Saudis and Kuwaitis - let's not go there

Having worked in Abu Dhabi, i found the immigration ppl very rude.

They took my passport and made me await about 30 minutes, while he finished having a chat with a colleague and then over his mobile phone. Eventually after me complaining (big mistake) he told me to wait, as he had to go for prayers. An hour later, i am still there and eventually he comes back and lets me through.

Was asked to be in Al Ain for a meeting at 930. Got a taxi from Abu Dhabi and got there for 915 outside their office. Client turned up at 1130, no apology and unhelpful. However hotel staff and cab drivers were extremely friendly.

ON a business trip to Egypt, the locals i found to be really polite and helpful.

Different ppl will have different experiences, however did not enjoy my time in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and found both places extremely boring.

The highlight was playing in a 2020 tournament at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium under lights.

[Prince_Pathan]

theres some arab thing going on here...saudis are the rudest arabs hands down...followed by those in UAE then egyptians...sudaneese and iraqis are kool