When the gates at the departure lounge opened, everyone rushed towards the
plane. I, along with some other quick-footed passengers, chose to run. As with
many domestic flights in Somalia, there are more passengers than available
seats. If you don’t literally grab a seat on the plane, you’ll stand for the
whole journey despite having paid for a seat. I was lucky to be one of the first
to get on the plane. Seats filled up fast and 25 unlucky passengers were left
standing in the aisle."
So, business continues as usual. Seems like nothing much changes. Remember flying 737's in Nigeria in the '80s. Schedule? What's that? Flights often days, not hours late during harmattan.
Result? Massive overbooking. The fastest runners got the seats. Usually a scrum at the stairs and so have to order doors closed. Ground staff then had to drive the stairs away with pax clinging on to all sides.
Once, couldn't get back on board after transit walkround, till the melee subsided, assisted by security folks wielding batons.
Head count? What's that?! (toilets often occupied, and yes, once had 5 on jumpseat.....You think I'm joking? Good old days. It was certainly different).