Need to arrange a meeting place

krafty · Oct 27th, 2003, 20:00

Greetings everybody. Well my departure time is getting close, 25 days and I'll be in Delhi. I'm meeting my brother there and if all goes well he will arrive 1.5 hours ahead of me. We need to arrange a place to meet up and I'm hoping somebody here could suggest a place in the airport that will work as a meeting place.

I'm almost ready to go, but have a couple of concerns. We are planning to be in Darjeeling for Xmass. We have not booked any place to stay. Will we be able to find a place without booking in advance? What's your opinion.

Where in the general area of Darjeeling would be a good place to spend New Years? Any suggestions appreciated.

We're also planning on flying from Delhi to Mumbai. Should this be booked in advance or are there lots of seats?

Thanks a lot. I've gotten ton of information from this site, so thanks to everybody who posts and thanks in advance for any answers to above questions.

indiamike · Oct 28th, 2003, 04:57

Quote:

Originally posted by krafty
I'm meeting my brother there and if all goes well he will arrive 1.5 hours ahead of me. We need to arrange a place to meet up and I'm hoping somebody here could suggest a place in the airport that will work as a meeting place.

IGIA Airport is not very big. If your brother stays in the area where you pick up your luggage you will have no problem finding him. If he is only 1.5 hours ahead of you and I would strongly suggest to tell him not to leave the terminal and go outside. Once outside your not going to be let back in without a ticket.....and you will never find him among the throng of people.

IGIA is a very dull airport and really lacks any entertainment so give him a book or pack a gameboy or something and say "stay put I will be here soon".

Mike

Anth · Oct 28th, 2003, 08:36

I have the exact same problem, except I am the brother, and I will be in Delhi several days before.

Mike:
>I would strongly suggest to tell him not to leave the terminal and go outside. Once
>outside your not going to be let back in without a ticket.....

Good grief.. that sounds like a worry, because obviously I won't have a ticket!! Please help! Thankyou!!!!! I didn't even think about this being a problem..

rickshawwallah · Oct 28th, 2003, 14:33

Don't be concerned, Anth

I have met dozens of people/groups at IGIA over the years, and it's quite simple, really.

1.) go to airport

2.) stand outside international arrivals exit and watch for your party at the appropriate time.

That's all: although you will not be allowed into the terminal building, it's not as difficult as it all sounds. There is only one exit, and there is an electronic message board in plain view that tells the status of arriving flights (just hope that your brother's isn't the one with "DELAYED" in the status column). Once the flight you're waiting for displays "arrived" on the board, you can expect to see your brother within a half hour to 45 minutes. If you go to the airport by taxi, it's very likely that you'll be able to persuade the driver to wait for you so you don't have to engage another vehicle. Mention this in advance to be sure, or even better, book a round trip journey through the hotel you're staying at (they're sure to be helpful considering you'll be returning with another customer for them).
Yes, the waiting touts may hassle you initially, but they'll soon figure out what you're there for and leave you alone.
The only problem I've ever encountered with this approach was when a person I was meeting had her bags lost by her airline. She was so intent on making sure she got her bags back that she didn't exit the terminal for over 3 hours! On the off chance that your brother's bags are lost, tell him to ask an airline representative to notify the party waiting for him outside (you!) of the problem. Even in India, airlines generally know the value of obliging a simple customer request when they've made a grave error.
One more helpful hint: bring something to read for yourself and some food and drink for both yourself and your brother. It can be hot and tiring standing around waiting, and everyone appreciates a little snack and beverage when coming off a long plane journey.

cyberhippie · Oct 28th, 2003, 22:34

Hey Krafty Delhi airport has an arrival lounge as well ok it's Rp 75 to get in but that's not too steep (if you've a ticket for that day this charge may be waived, I'm not sure!)!!
The lounge isn't big but it does have a few places to sit and read a book and also a few restaurants.
Staying at immigration/arrival area is fine but boring to say the least, not a place you want to hang around in for too long if the brother is delayed!!
Go through the door at arrivals turn left then right and there you are, only 30 meters walk!! (these directions may be a bit awry as delhi airport is constantly being rebuilt but you'll find it!!!)
Your brother will be able to find you easily here as it's very small!!

Enjoy your trip!!

Anth · Oct 29th, 2003, 08:24

rickshawwallah - Thank you so much for all your help and such a detailed reply! sounds a bit intimidating waiting with the touts but hopefully i will be used to it by then, having been in India for two months at that point (leaving in 10 days!!!!!!).

>it's very likely that you'll be able to persuade the driver to wait

I was wondering, very roughly, how much this should cost me?

Again thankyou thankyou thankyou!

btw not that it makes any difference but it is my sister i am meeting..

rickshawwallah · Oct 29th, 2003, 10:49

Anth,

If you've already been in India for 2 months before your trip to the airport, you really have nothing to worry about. You'll have things well sorted by then. Sure there are lots of touts, but there are also lots of eager family members and company representatives. It can be a fun atmosphere. (Informative, too, as you're able to watch the touts with a detached perspective.)

Keep in mind that long trips such as city center to airport are highly desirable for taxiwallahs, so getting a guaranteed round trip is a real boon for a driver. If the waiting time is under an hour, doubling the one-way fare is about right for the whole trip. Again I would suggest arranging the taxi from the front desk of your hotel to avoid the "I know a better hotel" routine.

Apologies to your sister for mistaking her gender. No harm done, since the confusion didn't arise from a face-to-face meeting.

Oct 27th, 2003, 20:00	#1
krafty Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 24	Need to arrange a meeting place Greetings everybody. Well my departure time is getting close, 25 days and I'll be in Delhi. I'm meeting my brother there and if all goes well he will arrive 1.5 hours ahead of me. We need to arrange a place to meet up and I'm hoping somebody here could suggest a place in the airport that will work as a meeting place. I'm almost ready to go, but have a couple of concerns. We are planning to be in Darjeeling for Xmass. We have not booked any place to stay. Will we be able to find a place without booking in advance? What's your opinion. Where in the general area of Darjeeling would be a good place to spend New Years? Any suggestions appreciated. We're also planning on flying from Delhi to Mumbai. Should this be booked in advance or are there lots of seats? Thanks a lot. I've gotten ton of information from this site, so thanks to everybody who posts and thanks in advance for any answers to above questions.

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Oct 28th, 2003, 08:36	#3
Anth Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Brisbane Posts: 32	I have the exact same problem, except I am the brother, and I will be in Delhi several days before. Mike: >I would strongly suggest to tell him not to leave the terminal and go outside. Once >outside your not going to be let back in without a ticket..... Good grief.. that sounds like a worry, because obviously I won't have a ticket!! Please help! Thankyou!!!!! I didn't even think about this being a problem..

Oct 28th, 2003, 14:33	#4
rickshawwallah I know cheap and best! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New York City, USA Posts: 204	Don't be concerned, Anth I have met dozens of people/groups at IGIA over the years, and it's quite simple, really. 1.) go to airport 2.) stand outside international arrivals exit and watch for your party at the appropriate time. That's all: although you will not be allowed into the terminal building, it's not as difficult as it all sounds. There is only one exit, and there is an electronic message board in plain view that tells the status of arriving flights (just hope that your brother's isn't the one with "DELAYED" in the status column). Once the flight you're waiting for displays "arrived" on the board, you can expect to see your brother within a half hour to 45 minutes. If you go to the airport by taxi, it's very likely that you'll be able to persuade the driver to wait for you so you don't have to engage another vehicle. Mention this in advance to be sure, or even better, book a round trip journey through the hotel you're staying at (they're sure to be helpful considering you'll be returning with another customer for them). Yes, the waiting touts may hassle you initially, but they'll soon figure out what you're there for and leave you alone. The only problem I've ever encountered with this approach was when a person I was meeting had her bags lost by her airline. She was so intent on making sure she got her bags back that she didn't exit the terminal for over 3 hours! On the off chance that your brother's bags are lost, tell him to ask an airline representative to notify the party waiting for him outside (you!) of the problem. Even in India, airlines generally know the value of obliging a simple customer request when they've made a grave error. One more helpful hint: bring something to read for yourself and some food and drink for both yourself and your brother. It can be hot and tiring standing around waiting, and everyone appreciates a little snack and beverage when coming off a long plane journey.

Oct 28th, 2003, 22:34	#5
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Hey Krafty Delhi airport has an arrival lounge as well ok it's Rp 75 to get in but that's not too steep (if you've a ticket for that day this charge may be waived, I'm not sure!)!! The lounge isn't big but it does have a few places to sit and read a book and also a few restaurants. Staying at immigration/arrival area is fine but boring to say the least, not a place you want to hang around in for too long if the brother is delayed!! Go through the door at arrivals turn left then right and there you are, only 30 meters walk!! (these directions may be a bit awry as delhi airport is constantly being rebuilt but you'll find it!!!) Your brother will be able to find you easily here as it's very small!! Enjoy your trip!!

Oct 29th, 2003, 08:24	#6
Anth Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Brisbane Posts: 32	rickshawwallah - Thank you so much for all your help and such a detailed reply! sounds a bit intimidating waiting with the touts but hopefully i will be used to it by then, having been in India for two months at that point (leaving in 10 days!!!!!!). >it's very likely that you'll be able to persuade the driver to wait I was wondering, very roughly, how much this should cost me? Again thankyou thankyou thankyou! btw not that it makes any difference but it is my sister i am meeting..

Oct 29th, 2003, 10:49	#7
rickshawwallah I know cheap and best! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New York City, USA Posts: 204	Anth, If you've already been in India for 2 months before your trip to the airport, you really have nothing to worry about. You'll have things well sorted by then. Sure there are lots of touts, but there are also lots of eager family members and company representatives. It can be a fun atmosphere. (Informative, too, as you're able to watch the touts with a detached perspective.) Keep in mind that long trips such as city center to airport are highly desirable for taxiwallahs, so getting a guaranteed round trip is a real boon for a driver. If the waiting time is under an hour, doubling the one-way fare is about right for the whole trip. Again I would suggest arranging the taxi from the front desk of your hotel to avoid the "I know a better hotel" routine. Apologies to your sister for mistaking her gender. No harm done, since the confusion didn't arise from a face-to-face meeting.

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