Quote Originally Posted by WES View Post
US airports are the worst - JFK security is sheer carnage even if you're flying business class. Hopeless.

Been to Mumbai and Bangalore airports quite a few times and always found the immigration and security process to be very quick. Possibly because the % of passengers who are foreigners is far smaller than in airports like JFK or Heathrow. They also always seem to have a lot of immigration people working.

Now the trip from the airport into those cities was less palatable
Dunno about Bangalore but totally true for Mumbai. 2 hours to get to Colaba where the Gateway to India and Taj hotel are - also the cheapest backpacker hotels for my sorts.

Delhi used to be almost as bad but they've built loads of motorways linking to the middle-class new town suburbs like Gurgaon, so it now takes a fraction of the time.

In the old days, Delhi airport only had a tiny bar and this little cabin that sold stale samosas. {Now it's all modern with a food-hall, sports bars with western food etc.} But back in the day, the one cafe at Mumbai offered chicken and chips or fish and chips. Touch compared to Delhi.

Glad you agree with me about the US. Would have thought that they'd have made it fast for you posh business class types. Bit socialist of them to make it shît for everyone. Ironically, I flew first class Lon-Del a couple of times and the Moscow first class lounge was great if you're only used to economy.

Also, in first on the plane, they had unlimited Veuve Cliq. One trip I did 3 bottles on the Del-Mos leg and another Mos-LHR.

The stewardesses were retired shot-putters. The bronze medal winners worked in economy, the silver medallists in business and the Olympic champions in first. {That's why they never had terrorists. Had they attempted to get into the flight deck bit, Svetlana would have ripped their heads off and shot-putted them down to the back of the jet without bouncing.}

One time, there was just an oligarch gangster and me in first. After sitting down, she asked if we wanted a drink. I said champers. She said no, only water or orange juice until we're airborne. I said no probs, just bring me a glass of Veuve when you're allowed to.

She served the gangster his juice and then came back to me with a glass of champers and put her finger to her lips saying"sshhh." I thanked her profusely.

Civilised people back then, pre-Putin.