Callousness on the part of airport officials and arrogance on the part of a celebrity was the blame accorded by normal passengers and the media in a recent incident at the Nedumbassery airport.
I agree celebrities are showered with privileges, some earned and others showered upon them. Years ago, while traveling frequently to Kerala, I would be picked out of the queue and taken to a VIP lounge by airline check-in officials while my bags were loaded on priority basis and my ticket hand-delivered to me at the security-check.
Uncomfortable with the special treatment, I began to reach the airport an hour in advance to book the first window seat in the aircraft and sit quietly sipping coffee at the first seat next to the exit gate. On board, I would sleep off and be the last one to get off the flight on landing.
I spoke to none. Fame does that to you.
These days business class is a rare offering and tight, cramped economy seats force you to rub shoulders, knees and elbows frequently you're your neighbour. Consequently, tempers flare as personal spaces get invaded.
The truth is talking to a curious co-passenger carries the inherent risk of being bombarded with intrusive questions.
Young men want to chat you up, women have loud opinions, children are shoved on your lap by eager parents and older men often have unsolicited advice to offer. Several incidences have scarred my perception of public travel. I yearn to disappear from sight before being recognised.
However, the bottom line is that rules are the same for all and discrepancy by airline staff encourages a celebrity to demand and expect a preferential treatment against common people. There are times when a celebrity needs to get to an engagement on time and those privileges then offered to him/her come at a price, paid by the celeb herself or her sponsor.
I read an online comment that it would be better to introduce an express line for those in a hurry at an exorbitant cost.
That does seem like a lucrative and practical proposition for all parties involved.
Each gets his space, demands will be met and officials will not be judged for extending courtesy. For those who can ill afford it, patience and mutual tolerance will be a great virtue to extend to your fellow passengers meanwhile.
The writer is a popular actor.
