"PIA - Panic In Air, Pray ..." a Pakistan Travel Page by CliffClaven

Old Cliffie was beginning to get just a bit apprehensive when he got to the third security check - in the galley on board the aircraft - when he first flew on Pakistan International Airlines. For a long forgotten reason, he was routed via Karachi on the way from Asia to Europe. After the usual cursory check by Indian security officials at Delhi airport, there was a second check at the foot of the stairs to the aircraft, and then a third and thorough check on board. They were going to make pretty sure that no one hijacked this flight.

While all the checks were reassuring in one sense, there was still the niggling question: Why? Had there been a specific threat against the airline? And it didn't help when during the flight the captain announced: Insh'Allah - if it pleases Allah - we shall be landing in ten minutes.

The apprehension was only subjective, of course - the flight went without hitch, and the cabin service was friendly and efficient - but old Cliffie was curiously relieved when he got off the plane in Karachi. Ten minutes later he was wishing he was back on board again, as the chaos that is Karachi began to swamp him.

There were four hours between flights, and you know: old Cliffie only just made it! For security reasons, luggage could not be checked through to the final destination. It had to be reclaimed, inspected, hauled several hundred metres to another terminal building and then checked in again. And that meant pushing through dozens of eager hands - and hundreds of light fingers? - offering help.

PIA advertise that they are 'Great people to fly with'. Just don't get off the plane in Karachi.