In most industries, the customer is valued and served. Not always in the airline industory, who have tried to squeeze more people onto planes to get the most money per trip, recycled air instead of bringing in new, and more. I have to acknowledge here the hard work of many of the airline employees who put up with a lot of obnoxious people in their daily work.

However, there was a new episode on August 8th: airline passengers were stuck in a plane that had just landed for six hours. The plane had landed early in Rochester instead of Minneapolis, to avoid severe thunderstorms. The airport in Rochester, NY, was closed, and was only being used by Mesaba Airlines at the time (a division of Delta). Messaba employees wouldn’t open the terminal to the passengers stuck on the plane at 12:30am on August 8th.

The airport was closed and Mesaba Airlines employees — the only airline employees at the airport at the time — refused to open the terminal for the stranded passengers.(Yahoo News article)

(What was required? Did they just need someone to open the door, or put out the gangplank?!)

A Yahoo News article about passengers being stranded on the tarmac quoted the President of Mesaba Airlines, John Spanjers, as saying he “continues to feel it operated in good faith.” Really? It was OK to keep people who had already completed their trip on a plane on the tarmac? Why do we put up with this? Mesaba, a division of Northwest that was acquired by Delta last year, needs to revise its thinking of passengers rights. Would you want to be treated like that? And how about the ExpressJet employees, who operated the flight for Continental Airlines, who had to deal with all those irate people? Was Mesaba being fair to them?

There is a need to keep passengers safe, which I acknowledge. We don’t want people walking all over the tarmac. But there has to be a point where common sense dictates – I believe the ExpressJet captain should have called the airport authority or the police, and forced Messaba employees to open the terminal to weary passengers. At least they could have gotten a meal, shower, and slept in a hotel for some time.

The Department of Transportation fined Messaba $75,000 and Continental was fined as well, though less (the article doesn’t specify).

Congress is considering a law establishing a 3 hour limit for passengers being held on the tarmac, which the airline industry opposes. But there has to be a limit! At the 3 hour mark, the airline has forfeited it’s contract with passengers who paid money for the trip service. If they can’t complete the trip, they should let passengers complete their travel on other airlines, and help them book them. That’s my opinion.

Hi. It’s me. You’re gay flight attendant. I know you know I’m gay. The way you smile at every move I make and how you touch my hand every time I serve you a drink gave it away. Oh! and lets not forget how you told me you were gay as well.. when you bent down to read my name bar when I said “hello how are you?” as you walked on the airplane and you bent over to say “I’m good..[read name bar] Bobby. So…. Bobby, huh?”

Yep. That’s me. I’m so happy that you fell asleep right after takeoff because your awkward smile and slow talking was starting to creep me out. You know, I used to think getting hit on at all at work was flattering. I thought that it was nice someone noticed me, noticed that I do try to make myself look the best I can at work.. and someone genuinely found me attractive. But you… without even giving me/asking me for my number.. found a way to ruin that.

When you woke up 30 minutes prior to landing and headed to the bathroom I was faced with a dilemma. Do I act as if its to late to offer you a snack and something to drink, or do I be nice, and offer you a drink and something to eat since you slept since take off?

Being the professional, nice, flight attendant that I am, I offered you a drink and a snack as you exited the lav. I brought you your diet coke and bag of pretzels at the same moment you wrapped your blanket over your shoulders like a cape and reached your arms out flexing your hands like a baby would to a bottle .. almost as to say “gimme gimme!” I dropped off the diet coke and bag and you again make it obvious to look at my name bar and again read “thanks…Bobby.” It was at this moment I realized that you were just a creepy old man in a business suit.

You have no chance, there is no hope, and there is no way I would ever even consider spending time with you.

For one, I’m not looking, and, if that weren’t the case, the answer is still no. You need to learn how to better flirt with those you’re interested in, the manner in which you’re currently attempting to do so may result in you ending up in prison.

Lastly, for the record, I did hear you tell 2F you thought I was “good enough for a one night stand..and then.. we’ll see” after I put your drink on your tray table and walked away without any further interaction following your mini-tantrum trying to grab your food/drink.

Asshole.

Signed,

Your Flight Attendant.

Indonesian police say a ferry carrying at least 213 passengers has sunk in rough waters near Sumatra island, killing at least one person… From VOA. Full story

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Nice Sunday, huh?

Qué tal, todos!

Una persona muy cercana a mi es fan de los temas espirituales, los viajes astrales, las almas, en breve, she’s really into all that supernatural stuff! Entonces, decidimos ir a ver una película con la guapísima Anne Hathaway (cuando crezca, quiero ser como ella!). En español le pusieron Almas Pasajeras, pero el título original es simplemente Passengers (2008).

Passengers es un thriller centrado en Claire Summers (Hathaway), una joven, soltera, atractiva y estoica psicóloga que intenta ayudar a un grupo de  personas a reponerse de un trauma mayor: un accidente de avión. A través de los testimonios de cada paciente, Claire intenta reconstruir el accidente para descubrir la verdadera razón por la que el avión se estrelló. Uno de sus pacientes, Eric (Patrick Wilson), le enseña la importancia del perdón, de vivir plenamente, y de expresarse abiertamente sin tratar de esconder o controlar sentimientos tan fundamentales como el amor.

Dirigida por el colombiano Rodrigo García (sí, hijo de García Márquez), la película resulta ser una The Others (2001) pero menos creíble, lenta, aburrida, extremadamente predecible (dado el exceso de lugares comunes identificables), y bastante mal relatada. Y qué decir del fallido final, que resulta por demás cursi y hasta soso. No cabe duda que la gran pluma del admirable Gabo no necesariamente  se transmitió a su hijo en el ámbito cinematográfico… no al menos en Passengers.

Sin embargo, siempre es bueno que se formen su propia opinión, así que si les gustan los temas que exploran la existencia de la vida después de la muerte, quizá les venga bien ver esta película. Por lo pronto, xoxo…

hold still, I'm gonna pick you up by your head.

PG-13

Anne Hathaway, Patrick Wilson, David Morse

Claire: Anyways, these aren’t my normal office hours.
Eric: Well, I’m not a patient.
Claire: Nooo, you’re just a creepy guy standing at my door in the middle of the night.
Eric: A lovely man…intriguing.
Claire: Ok, goodnight.
Eric: You don’t think so?
Claire: I’m not going to stand here and debate your loveliness.

After a plane crashes and only a handful of people survive, Claire (Hathaway) is assigned to the group as their grief counselor.  When she gets differing stories on what happened before the crash, and some of the group members seem to mysteriously disappear, Claire begins to wonder if the airline is covering something up.

“When I grow up, I want to be an M. Night Shyamalan movie!”  That’s what I felt like this movie was screaming throughout its running time, especially at the end.  I don’t want to say anything spoiler-like, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I hate twist endings that render the rest of the movie as essentially pointless.  Especially when it’s a pretty dumb ending.  Which this was.

It felt like a waste of some quality actors as well.  Hathaway and Wilson were both fine, but then you’ve got David Morse, Dianne Wiest, Clea DuVall, and Andre Braugher all in smaller, one-note roles.  I suppose Morse fared the best out of that group, with a creepy-turn-sympathetic role, but for the most part, this was Anne Hathaway’s show.

I will say that, after I adjusted to the silliness of the big twist, there were some legitimately touching moments in the last few minutes of the movie.  I just had to put it out of my mind that it wasn’t making much sense and enjoy it for what it was.

Still, it’s hard to say that a movie is worth watching when the entirety of it is just there to set up one final concept.  Especially when the set up is dark, slow, and riddled with almost non-stop moody piano music.  Atmosphere does not equal interesting!  There needed to be better dialogue and more well developed characters.  And less piano music!

Belinda Carlisle may have been right…

10 – 2 for not having very well written characters and dialogue – 2 for that silly ending twist – .7 for all the piano music and dark atmosphere = 5.3

Hi Heather,

I listened to your Frommers podcast recently and found it very funny. I especially liked your comments about people’s attitudes to flying and the bit about control freaks. It made me realize what I’ve suspected for some time which is that I am a control freak, especially when flying!

Dear Marie,

Your letter cracked me up and now you’ve got me thinking that I may have been British in a past life or something because I, too, am a bit of a rule follower. Nothing drives me crazier than a passenger who thinks they’re exempt from following the rules. Really, how many times do I have to ask someone to turn off the electronic device before takeoff? Hello, Mr. Exit Row, I know what you’re doing all bent over like that with your head crammed between your knees. Do ya really think that I think you’re whispering to the floor? Please, do me a favor and don’t make tap, tap, tap you in front of your seatmates who are now giving you the evil eye. I mean really!

Contine reading GALLEY GOSSIP: ENFORCING RULES IN FLIGHT

Photo courtesy of Carrib (flickr.com)

Aircomplane.com realizes that not everyone who is potentially affected by airline news has time to source and read all that is printed about the airline industry. Therefore, we will post relevant articles here as they become known to us. Please feel free to suggest any that you encounter.

Del Quentin Wilber of The Washington Post recently wrote an article on December 13, 2006 on the possibility of a Continental Airlines and United Airlines Merger. You can take a look at Mr. Wilber’s article here: “Continental, United Discussing Merger: More Industry Consolidation Possible.”

(NOTE: Many publications, The Washington Postincluded, offer “Comments” areas following the online versions of their articles. Please take a moment and let your thoughts be known there, too.)

I was on day 2 of 4, working Seattle to Los Angeles, back to Seattle, then once again, back to Los Angeles. I was flying with a crew that I knew but haven’t flown with before. I actually did one of their IOEs a year ago. Having that faith in her really came in handy.

We were getting ready to land as usual in Seattle from LA, nothing was out of the ordinary. Suddenly, we hit moderate to sever turbulence on our final decent. The aircraft was banking left, right, up, down, the tail was swinging as the front turned.. it was a very rough ride. The looks on the passengers faces in first class was a look of nervousness.

The landing gear came down, and the flight attendants received our two minute warning. I took my jumpseat, content as usual – knowing that all of my safety checks were done correctly and my cabin crew was seated. Thank god.

As we started our short final, things got hectic. The aircraft hit wind shear and we were again experiencing moderate to sever turbulence. As we got closer to the airport, I began to see the lights from the runway, I knew this was going to be a rough landing. Seconds before the aircraft would have been fully on the ground, wind shear again. Both pilots, in unison, decided to abort the landing. I expected it. I was prepping myself for an emergency had we landed. Yes, it was that bad. We had actually touched our main landing gear to the runway, and the wind shear then blew us off the runway onto the grass.

As we shot back to the skies like a rocket, and the airplane was making noises airplanes shouldn’t make.. I sat there.. smiling. 1A was having a panic attack. She kept screaming “its not safe to land” “its not safe to land” to which I screamed over the bulkhead “we’re not landing!”

Finally, after stabilizing our altitude the Captain came on the PA to address the passengers.

As you can see, Seattle is a little windy tonight. We didn’t feel comfortable putting the plane on the ground in that wind… so we’re going to go around.. take another look at it.. and it’s safe.. we’re going to land. If not.. we’ll worry about that when it happens — but air traffic control is saying it should be okay.

Then my phone rang. The Captain explained to me what had happened.. the main landing gear had touched the runway and the wind sheer blew us off course, and off the runway. We were going around, the landing should be normal and fine and if I had any questions. I didn’t.

I then called to the back to make sure the other FAs were holding up okay and heard the information the Captain announced over the P.A. They both said they were doing fine, the passengers seemed okay, and they were enjoying the ride.

As I hung up the phone the passenger in 1F looked over at me and mouthed “we’re going to be okay, right?” I said, yes. Though, reviewing my commands and prepping myself for the worst I too wanted to hear everything was going to be okay.

As we started on our go around.. and went back through the turbulence to line up to land, again, I started to watch the people in first class become friends with each other, pray, and some began to cry.

After a few minutes we received the signal from the flight deck to take our seats and prepare for landing. We never stood up, anyway, it was entirely too bumpy and unsafe, so we were ready.

As began our decent we hit the same wind, rain and wind shear we did the first time, making me feel uncomfortable about a second attempt at landing. The passengers were beginning to cry louder and hold hands. Finally, the landing gear was deployed again and we were going to give it another shot. We landed, safely. And it was the smoothest landing I’ve had in a long time.

Trying to make light of the situation, and reassure everyone that they’re okay and the aircraft is still in tact, I get on the PA and said “well……..welcome to Seattle” and closed it by saying “We hope you’ve enjoyed your experience with us today.. and we look forward to seeing you soon!” As the passengers were getting off the plane each and every one of them stopped to say thank you to me and the flight deck. Some said “thanks” some said “thanks for saving my life” and some walked right past us without saying a word.

I looked to the back of the cabin and saw that were was 2 pax still in their seats. So I went to back to the back and there was an elderly woman, probably in her late 60’s who was visibly shaken up. She was crying, shaking and didn’t want to move. I had one of the other FAs grab me a bottle of water and told her I would be bring her bag to the front so that whenever she was ready, she could walk to the front. Once I got to the front of the aircraft I also had ground support order her a wheel chair.

I look over, across the aisle from this woman, and there was another woman, this one was laying on the floor. I asked her the same thing, got her some water and the other FA moved her bags to the front. I kept telling both of them “its okay, we’re on the ground now.. everything is fine.” For some reason I didn’t think they believed me.

As the elderly woman walked off the aircraft she did get in the wheelchair. She was feeling weak in her knees and didn’t want to walk.

After the passengers were all gone the Captain came out of the flight deck for a debriefing. That’s when we were told about how we were blown off the runway, and how the decision was made to go around. He then asked us if were okay or if we had any questions. None of us had any.. we were all pretty calm because we never got up out of our seats.

In retrospect, we should have done a quick walk through to make sure everyone was okay, but I really don’t think it was safe enough.

Anyway, a few minutes after our debriefing .. one of the gate agents comes down to the aircraft and said “Are you ready to board?”

And that quickly you have to forget about what just happened, could have happened and might happen.. put the fake smile back on your face and work one more flight before going to bed.

Metupalyam- Coonoor- Ooty route is one of the most famous and mind blowing rail route in the country. It has mesmerized millions in several Bollywood and regional movies for years. This is the only Heritage train run in South India especially in higher altitude. Statistics proves that around five lakh passengers enjoy the experience of Toy train yearly. 46 km, covered in 5 hour journey at a speed of 12 km per hour through misty hill sides and tunnels, twisting and turning through breath taking sceneries. There are lakes and waterfalls on the way; we can even pluck beautiful but wild flowers from open windows. One should experience it at least once in lifetime. The scenic beauty seen throughout the journey is thrilling, the endless mountains of tea plantations, pine tree, Lakes and valleys gives you an unforgettable experience. There are altogether 16 tunnels and 250 bridges in its route map.

Coimbatore airport is the best possible choice for air travelers, who wish to visit Ooty and try its toy train. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is connected to other parts of the country. Ooty is one of the most popular hill stations in the country, hence finding a place to stay is never a problem. There are several hotels and resorts in Ooty.

När ett passagerarplan störtar överlever bara ett fåtal och psykologen Claire (Anne Hathaway) får i uppdrag att ha terapeutiska samtal med dem alla. Antalet personer i den lilla gruppen blir dock färre och färre, då den ene efter den andre spårlöst försvinner mellan sejourerna. Försöker flygbolaget sopa undan spåren efter något man inte vill ska se offentlighetens ljus? Samtidigt faller Claire för en av överlevarna (Patrick Wilson) som också verkar ha begåvats med smått oförklarliga krafter efter olyckan.

Ibland händer det att den bild man skapat sig av en film utifrån trailers och annan marknadsföring skiljer sig drastiskt från den faktiska rullen. Så är fallet vad gäller Passengers. Det jag trodde skulle vara en rätt läskig film någonstans i gränslandet mellan thriller och rysare var istället ett rätt billigt mysteriedrama som försöker sig på att vara något i stil med Sjätte sinnet. Handlingen faller tyvärr platt och det är trist att se duktiga Wilson, Dianne Wiest och David Morse i den här ljumma soppan.

Betyg: 2

It was a miraculous escape for the passengers of Gandhidham Express after 12 coaches of the train derailed at Dombivali in Mumbai.

Derailed Train

Twelve people have been injured in the accident that took place just after midnight.

The train was on its way from Ahmedabad to Bangalore when the accident happened. It was reportedly moving in slow speed.

Some of these 12 coaches are flat on their sides while the others are tilted at an angle of more than 45 degrees.

Helpline numbers: Gandhidham: 02836 228049; Ahmedabad: 079 22161313; Vasai Road: 022 67638006; Vadodara: 0265 2225735; Surat 0261 2418132…

Original news from NDTV…..

SÃO PAULO - A Embraer pode desenvolver nos próximos anos um avião maior que ficaria entre os segmentos atendidos por ela atualmente e pelas gigantes Boeing e Airbus. No momento, a fabricante brasileira avalia o mercado e entende que no futuro poderá fazer o jato “com ou sem parceiros”, afirmou o vice-presidente de finanças da empresa nesta terça-feira.

“No futuro, certamente, teremos que ter algumas definições… Desenvolver um avião maior talvez sim, sozinhos ou em conjunto, é uma coisa a ser definida”, disse Antonio Luiz Pizarro Manso, em teleconferência sobre os resultados de terceiro trimestre da companhia. Para mais informações sobre o balanço, clique .

“A gente entende que o mercado hoje está sendo perfeitamente atendido pelos aviões atuais, o (Boeing) 737, o (Airbus) A320. Nesse momento, nossa estratégia é aguardar, inclusive um dos pontos para qualquer definição futura é o problema do motor, o motor até hoje não é claramente definido qual o melhor motor a ser aplicado”, disse o executivo sem dar mais detalhes.

O executivo respondeu a perguntas sobre comentários do presidente da Airbus, Thomas Enders, feitos na véspera sobre uma eventual parceria da companhia européia com a Embraer no desenvolvimento de novo modelo ou em serviços. Na ocasião, o executivo citou que sua empresa tem relação próxima com a Embraer e comentou que “quem sabe no futuro possamos desenvolver alguma coisa juntos”.

“É muito importante entender que a Embraer e a EADS (grupo do qual a Airbus faz parte) têm uma parceria de 10 anos. Eles já foram acionistas da Embraer, depois a EADS se tornou nossa sócia em uma empresa em Portugal. Conversas a gente sempre tem, mas não há nenhuma definição específica agora”, disse Pizarro. “Estamos avaliando o mercado. Não temos definição no curto prazo. Certamente, no futuro, pode ser, com ou sem parceiros”, acrescentou o executivo brasileiro sobre eventual novo modelo.

Atualmente, o maior modelo de avião comercial da Embraer, o 195, tem capacidade para cerca de 120 passageiros e é voltado para companhias aéreas regionais. Enquanto isso, a menor família de aviões da Airbus é a A320, com aeronaves com capacidades entre 107 e 185 passageiros.

CRISE FINANCEIRA

A crise financeira internacional ainda não surtiu efeitos de cancelamentos de pedidos da Embraer, mas já provocou alguns adiamentos de entregas, disse Pizarro. Por conta da escassez de crédito a companhia avalia concessão de empréstimo-ponto e financiamentos de curto de prazo para apoiar pedidos de clientes.

“Estamos vendo que o mercado está realmente com processo de retenção de financiamento de alguns clientes e isso, certamente nos próximos três a oito meses nós teremos uma definição mais clara do que pode acontecer”, afirmou.

Ele disse que os financiamentos não serão duradouros e sim empréstimos-ponte, de curto prazo, “até que o mercado se restabeleça”.

“É uma possibilidade (a Embraer conceder financiamentos), sim, mas ainda não temos definição neste momento.”

A companhia entregou no trimestre passado 48 jatos, um a mais que no mesmo período de 2007, e manteve previsão de entregas em 2008 de entre 195 e 200 aviões. A empresa realiza entre quarta e quinta-feira evento com investidores em sua fábrica onde pretende divulgar projeções para 2009.

Em comunicado separado, a Embraer divulgou previsão para o mercado chinês de aviação nos próximos 20 anos, no qual vê demanda para 875 novas aeronaves regionais, das quais 120 com capacidade para 30 a 60 assentos, 295 com 61 a 90 lugares e 460 de 91 a 120 assentos.

(Reportagem de Alberto Alerigi Jr.)

Fonte:Estadão

Wayward Pilots

Wayward Northwest airline pilots Capt. Timothy B. Cheney, 53, and First Officer Richard I. Cole, 54 were finally stripped of their pilots licenses this afternoon, by the  Federal Aviation Administration.

Their right to fly has been permanently revoked.

The two Northwest Airlines pilots  overshot a Minnesota airport by 150 miles during a 78-minute period of radio silence last week. On Monday, they claimed to have been distracted by what they were doing on their personal laptops, that time seemed to move faster than they thought.

Being someone who flies out of the San Diego airport quite frequently, I am glad that I do not have to worry about these two manning the cockpit of any flight that I may be on.

This is just unforgivable if you are a commercial pilot.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/10/27/airliner.fly.by/

Yet another instance of ‘vulnerability’ of rly passengers
27 Oct 2009, 2240 hrs IST, ET Bureau

KOLKATA: Tuesday’s audacious attack on the Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani express is yet another glaring instance of the supreme vulnerability of
railway passengers in what has now emerged as a troubled route in the heart of Maoist country in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district.

If anything, it has also exposed the huge threat faced by superfast trains recently announced by Union railway minister Mamata Banerjee like the newly launched non-stop Sealdah- Delhi Duranto Express or the soon-to-be-launched Delhi-Kolkata Yuva train.

Moreover, with tracks supposedly replete with landmines, most trains even running at average speeds are in danger. In case of a superfast or non-stop trains, the looming threat can be much more severe. Small wonder, as many as 13 long-distance trains had to be detained on the Kharagpur-Tatanagar section purely for security reasons.

In Tuesday’s daring ambush, some 400 activists waving red flags forced the driver to bring the Rajdhani to a halt at Bansthali in a densely wooded stretch of the South Eastern Railway between Jhargram and Sardia. The train was held up for over five hours and it was nearly 8.30 pm, when a relief train waiting nearby was flagged off by the railway authorities to assist the trapped travellers. The relief train was making its way to the troubled spot after the railways received the crucial go-ahead from a combined force of the West Bengal police and CRPF, which had taken control of the situation by late evening.

When contacted, SER’s Chief Operations Manager S S Guru told ET: “A relief train has left Sardia station with doctors, paramedics and RPF personnel. We have decided to escort the affected train with a pilot engine being brought in from Tatanagar. As of all the people inside the train are safe.”

Throughout the afternoon several uprooted trees were lying on the track. The 2443A UP Bhubaneswar – Delhi Rajdhani Express had stopped on its tracks around 14:50 hours. Both drivers K Ananth Rao and K G Rao were asked to get off the train. However, there are conflicting reports, wherein some suggest neither the drivers or any of the 667 passengers on board were disturbed. Incidentally, all Rajdhani trains have two drivers and an assistant.

As the evening set in, it had become amply clear that an entire trainload of passengers were trapped in a hostage-like situation. Earlier, an SER spokesperson had told ET: “Soon after we received the news at our headquarters, we managed to speak briefly to the two drivers and catering staff on the train. A relief train has been waiting barely six km away at Sardia. However, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been requested to stand by since the West Bengal police has taken control of the situation,” the official said.

Pro-Maoists group PCPA have claimed responsibility for the attack stating that the train drivers had defied the bandh call. The pro-Maoist group is seeking the release of their leader Chhatradhar Mahato from the police custody, in a swap deal.

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TimePublished on Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 00:28, Updated on Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 00:49 in India section

Jhargram/Kolkata/New Delhi: A New Delhi-bound Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express was released from Maoist clutches by security forces on Tuesday evening, after rebels held it and its 667 passengers hostage for over four hours in West Midnapore district. All passengers are safe, the Union Government said.

Demanding withdrawal of the joint security forces and release of some of their arrested leaders, around 500 members of the Maoist-backed People’s Committee against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) held up the 2443A UP Express train by squatting on the tracks and forced out the drivers around 1445 hours IST at the Banstala Halt station, near Jhargram station close to the Antapani jungle. Jhargram is 155 km from Kolkata by train.

After several tension-filled hours that saw a police team rushing to the spot ambushed by the Left wing rebels, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers and state policemen finally took over the train around 1900 hours IST.

Home Minister P Chidambaram announced the end of the security operation in New Delhi.

“The CRPF and the state police have reached the spot and the train has been secured,” Chidambaram said.

*

Rajdhani secured from Maoists: Chidambaram
*

Tell Us: Are Maoists getting bolder by the day?
*

Delhi helpline no.: 011-23342954, 011-23341074
*

Bhubaneswar helpline no.: 0674-2303110

Escorted by a pilot engine, the train, freed by security forces, moved from the Banstala Halt station. Police sources said the green signal for the train to chug out of the station was given only after security experts conducted an intense check of the tracks and the train for any explosive devices the Maoist might have planted.

Before decamping the Left-wing extremists had pasted posters on the train demanding the release of arrested Maoist-backed tribal body People’s Committee against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) leader Chhattradhar Mahato.

Chidambaram denied reports that there was any exchange of fire with the guerrillas.

“I would like the media to show some restraint. Don’t report rumours. A civilian driver has been injured. There was no exchange of fire. No CRPF person has been injured,” he said.

State Director General of Police Bhupinder Singh said in Kolkata, “My men have reached there. They have entered the train. There is no sign of the Maoists now”.

The drama started soon after the train left the Jhargram station.

“A group of men stood on the railway tracks and stopped the train. They asked all of us in the driver’s cabin to get down and wait near the engine. They did not beat us up, but asked us not to run the train till they gave the green signal,” said K Govind Rao, the assistant driver of the New Delhi-bound Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express.

The PCAPA has called an indefinite shutdown in West Midnapore district form Tuesday in support of its 33-point charter of demands.

“There were 667 passengers in the train,” a railway spokesman said.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said some of the passengers were injured by brickbats hurled by the agitators who held up the train.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who was in constant touch with Chidambaram and his counterpart in Orissa, said a police force, which started off for the spot, was ambushed and one police driver injured by the Maoists.

“But we told the police party they have to reach the spot anyhow,” Bhattacharjee said.

To another query, the Chief Minister said, “The PCAPA may have stopped the train, but later on it was the Maoists who controlled the situation”.

Earlier, PCAPA spokesman Santosh Patra, speaking from an undisclosed location, told a private television channel that the driver has been kept confined “among our people” at the incident spot itself.

“More than 5,000 PCAPA supporters are there. We have called a shutdown from Tuesday. How can we allow the trains to ply? The Railway Minister (Mamata Banerjee) should intervene to ensure that security personnel do not fire on our supporters. Also, our supporters should not be tortured by the security forces on the ruse of flushing out Maoists,” Patra said.

Communist Party of India – Maoist (CPI-Maoist) leader Koteswar Rao alias Kishenjee also demanded the release of PCAPA leader Chhattradhar Mahato and alleged that the situation took a serious turn as the police fired on the PCAPA activists.

Tuesday’s incident is the latest instance of stepped-up Maoist activity in the tribal areas of central and eastern India. In recent days, the Left-wing extremists have attacked police stations and killed cops, even as the Central Government was considering a major offensive to crush them.

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