This time on my way back from Arusha to Dar es Salaam, I opted for Precision Air. It was a Sunday and I thought of spending the day with my family at Dar. The flight was scheduled to depart Kilimanjaro International Airport at 7:30 am. A shuttle service from the Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport is available for both Precision Air and Air Tanzania. It takes about one hour from Arusha City to Kilimanjaro International Airport. The shuttle arrived at around 5:15 to Hotel Impala. I was tensed as I did not have the opportunity to reconfirm my return tickets as I was travelling upcountry. Arriving Arusha at 7:00pm from upcountry the previous day, I went to their office to find out that they had already closed for the day. I called up my travel agent who gave me a number and asked me to call and reconfirm my journey. I called the number to learn that networks were down since noon and there was no way to reconfirm at that moment.
The bus shuttle arrive KIA at around 6:00 am. I was probably the second person to check-in. I asked for an emergency row seat, usually I prefer this place because of the leg place it offers. The only annoying factor is the emergency exit briefing by the crew. I went straight towards the departure gate carrying only a hand baggage. The security personal asked me to open my bag and remove my deodorant, bottle of water and my hair Gel. I asked him if I can put this baggage as a registered baggage. He said that it can be done. I went back to the check-in counter and put my baggage as a registered baggage. I came back to the departure gate.
I went to the restaurant at the departure hall to have a cup of Tea. As I was sipping my tea, I noticed two white people walking towards the restaurant. They asked the restaurant manager if he had Whiskey. I said to myself Whiskey at this hour in the morning. Another person joined them and all three walked away with glass of Whiskey in their hands with Club Soda and Coke. I started wondering, how one can drink Whiskey at this hour of the day.
As I was talking to myself it was time for boarding the flight. As I boarded the plane, a lady crew welcomed me. I could see on her face, that she was tired of her job. Towards the Cockpit I was shown my seat by a young steward. As I took my seat, to my surprise there was no emergency exit briefing on this flight. It was an ATR aircraft. I am an ex-airline employee and know a little about Aircraft's and Airlines.
We waited as the engine started one by one. As the engine started I noticed there were mosquitoes inside the aircraft. A gentleman sitting in front of me was actually trying to kill mosquitoes by clapping the mosquitoes in between his hands. I was wondering how can there be mosquitoes inside an passenger aircraft. The steward had noticed the man clapping his hands to kill the mosquitoes, but did not utter a word. I thought of complaining but left it at that point. After the flight took off we were offered Breakfast. The breakfast box contained a bun with boiled egg sandwiched, a cup of yogurt and a Green Apple. I took a few bites of the Green Apple and asked for a cup of tea. I would have paid for a nice breakfast if they had sold it inside the aircraft.
As we approached Dar es Salaam, I was thinking as to how Precision Air has been operating. Travelers’ were happy killing mosquitoes inside the aircraft. With many such thoughts in my mind the aircraft touched the runway and taxied towards the arrivals.
This was my experience with Precision Air.
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