Ministers, MPs buy Eco tickets but push for 'J' class: Pilots

Austerity measures taken by MPs and ministers have come in for questioning with Air India Pilots' Association complaining that a number of them buy Economy Class tickets but later push for upgrade to Business Class, even sometimes "forcefully" occupying such seats.

Without naming anybody, the Association's general secretary RS Otaal today wrote to Air India Chairman-cum-Managing Director Arvind Jadhav, saying the pilots, cabin crew and other staff are forced to accept the directives of the ministers and MPs.

"Though ministers and MPs book their ticket in the economy class but they insist for an upgrade after boarding the aircraft. Sometimes they forcefully occupy the seat in 'J' (business) class," Otaal said in the letter.

"Since they are in power, our cabin crew and commercial staffs are helpless as any resistance could lead to awkward situation," he said. Otaal also said since the pilots are "under pressure" of maintaining on-time performance and to avoid any agitation "we have accept their request".

He asked the CMD to not to take action against any of the cabin crew, the pilots or the commercial staffs, if they "succumb to the pressure of the Ministers and MPs". Under the government's austerity drive, ministers and MPs have been advised to travel in Economy class.