Enact like a traveller :
Jeans Tshirt sports Shoes and Lap top on the shoulder and a Trolley Bag. Start walking and talk on phone with sister.
Yes … Yes we are in Ahmedabad doing our luggage and will be there by 6:30 Morning at Sharjah airport. I checked the flight is on time. You bring the Pajero and listen anyone else is also coming. We have lots ot luggage. Ok Ahsan uncle is also coming … so everyone knows that Mom and Dad are coming. Great we will have fun tomorrow.
Mushi everyone is coming to welcome us on the airport.
Officer these are the passports.
Mrs Mushfeqa …. Yes My Wife …. Ok this person cannot travel
What ???? But Why ????
The passport has expired….Officer said
What ??? Yes she cannot travel … passport expired.
Oh my GOD !!!!!
How many of us in the room experienced to go back from Airport not because you didn’t get the seat but because your travel documents got messed up.
Thanks GOD I am not alone.
Toastmasters of the day, Fellow Toastmaster and distinguished guest.
In 2007 my complete family both parents and Wife and son were in India due to some personal reason and I used to travel quite frequently to India almost every 2 months for 6/7 days. I used to only travel in Air Arabia as it was convienient and soft on my pocket. One day in March 2007 I have requested my parents to come and stay with me in Dubai for 2 months in Summer Vacation of my Son. They agreed and I was so happy since we all are going to be together for complete 2 months in Dubai.
I have arranged for the Visa and return Ticket of them in Air Arabia. Our flight was on my birthday 16th April 2007 at 04:45 AM. I have arranged a Taxi from Baroda to Ahmedabad Airport which is 120 kms – 2 hrs car drive.
I have asked mother to take out the passport and show me. She has taken out the passport from cupboard given it to me , I have glanced at it and given it back to her and she kept it in the cupboard. I have asked her to put it back and carry it in her handbag. She said “ Son, I will put it in the bag but first let me arrange the handbag.
The reason I didn’t keep the passports with me was because of 2 reason 1. I’m an absentminded guy and 2 . and real reason my passport pouch was big enough to carry my passport only.
In the evening I asked my mother to take out the passport and put it in the bag. She has taken the passport and put it in her bag which even I have seen.- YES . So here we go.
At 11:00 PM of 15th April we have started from Baroda to Ahmedabad airport.
We have reached Ahmedabad Airport by around 1:30 AM 16th April 2007. I have asked my father to wait in the Taxi till I do luggage formality and I arrange a wheel chair for both of them since both parents were 70+ age.
After we came to know my wife cannot travel, we have decided that let both the parents board the plane and we 3 will stay back – both me and my wife and Son. I have requested the Officer to issue only 2 boarding pass.
Officer : Your mother and father also cannot fly.
WHAT ? Not again.
Couln’dnt believe my eyes. How can I go wrong?
I have started recollecting … how that has happened. And YES it just happen that my mom has kept the passport in the cupboard at right side and I have seen her taking the passport from the cupboard at left side.
I did’nt know how to react !!!!
My mother started crying, as she realized her mistake. She realized that she picked up a packet from the other drawer of a cupboard.
The best part is the whole blame came on my poor father who was not even knowing what is happening inside. My mother started saying … its because him … he does not allow us to throw old things from the house…. And if we insist he says if Old has to be out … Throw me too…. So no discussions.
The only time I wished and prayed to GOD … please do something let this flight get delayed by minimum 6 hours. So I can get the correct passports from Baroda . But GOD’s wish was something else. The flight was on time.
We have decided not to start blaming game as that will only upset everyone. Whatever has to happened has happened.
Two things which I have learned –
1. Check / Double check your travel documents.
2. Keep and treasure Old documents – if it is very important but at a place where we don’t mess up.
OTU
