Mailbox

Bad days ahead

Dear Sir

It is with an increasing sense of pessimism that I watch the progress of the war on Iraq. Travel, which was already an arduous process following the September 11 attacks, will become even more harrowing. This will happen in two ways. Firstly, with reports already floating around that corporate travel has registered a mammoth fall, we can expect many airlines to go in the red unless governments step in and rescue them. The fallout will be a lesser number of options for travellers, a decline in services. Secondly, security measures, especially in the USA and UK, will be made further stringent. All Asiatic travellers, including Indians, will be looked at suspiciously. And if there is a second 9/11-like attack, then all the more worse.

The only ray of light is the hope that the war does not drag on too long, as was originally expected by the US but as things stand today even that does not look likely. The Iraqis continue their defence with vehemence and daily we find alarming reports of the fallout of the war on airlines. Sense of security among travellers continues to decline. All in all, travel in 2003 does not seem like a good idea anymore.

Ashutosh Chakraborty
Mumbai

To beat jet lag

Dear Sir
As somebody who is on air at least twice a month on long-haul flights, I am a chronic victim of jet lag. It is, if I may use the expression, a ‘big pain’ and if my trip is for three days, the first day is used up entirely in wearing off the effects of the flight. I would be grateful if you could publish an article on beating jet lag, preferably experiences of people who have managed to cope with it.

Ajay Chaturvedi
Delhi

Thank you, Jet

Dear Sir
Recently, I went to Goa on a Jet Airways flight and came away impressed. The air hostesses and stewards were polite and always at hand. My six-year-old son was most impressed. Imagine his joy, when just before the flight was to land, an air hostess came and handed him a mini cricket bat and ball. My son, a cricket fan, was so overcome that he forgot to thank the airline. Hence, this message to Jet Airways - Thank You.

Ashish Shukla
Mumbai

Summer suffering

Dear Sir
The heat has wafted in and as usual the Indian summer will proceed to make life miserable for us until the monsoon when life will become even more miserable. Travel, especially during the interregnums, betwixt hotel and airport, between car and lobby, etc. is now on its way to become a sweaty experience.

To the readers of your publication, my humble suggestion would be to stay indoors and cut down on travel while using technology to take care of meetings and conferences. This will help cut down costs too.

Radha Menon
Bangalore

Save Bangalore

Dear Sir
Recently I happened to go to Bangalore after a long time and was saddened by how prosperity is draining the the city of its most attractive feature - a sense of space and greenery. Bangalore is also facing a transport problem, the solution to which will inevitably be more hewing down of flora. This problem, if not addressed immediately, will worsen.

Rakesh Shetty
Pune