AN INTERESTING EXPERIENCE
I boarded this train with my wife at 12.30pm on 9th Nov on my way to Kannur for a 3-day holiday at Coorg with a general ticket. Hopped into S12 and immediately searched out the TTE who was in B1 with the intention of upgrading my tkt to sleeper class. In order to impress him I mentioned the name of a friend of mine who is an LP in the Konkan Railway Corporation. The TT asked me how I knew that gentleman and I explained. Having spoken to my friend in the morning, I also shared his programme of piloting a train that evening from Madgaon to Ratnagiri. The TT was by now suitably convinced and asked if I...
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was related to the LP. I said no. He then issued an EFT for Rs.170 and told me to sit in S12. He said he would come in a little while to allot berths to me and my wife and collect the payment. Off I went pleased as punch and promptly dozed off.
Much later as the train was about to reach Kannur I realized that I had not made the payment of Rs.170 and frantically searched for him in all coaches. Two other TTS from whom I enquired told me that he had disembarked at Mangalore Junction where there is a crew change. I was in a fix not only because that guy would have to shell out Rs.170 on my behalf but more so as it would be a great embarrassment for my LP friend. I then called my friend and narrated the incident. To my great relief he assured me he would take care of the matter and asked me to Whatsup a snap of the receipt. A little later the LP called me to say he had ascertained the identity of that TT who incidentally happened to be a classmate of his. All is well that ends well as the next day I got a call from my friend saying he had paid the TT on my behalf. All that remains now is for me to reimburse my friend which I shall do the next time I meet him. Apparently the TT had searched for me in S12 as well as S11 but could not locate me as I was nestled in one corner of the coach in S12 on seat 36 near the window. Indeed this for me was a rare and one-time experience which I felt worth sharing. Thanks for the patient reading.