The 3-tonner Ride!

In mid 80s, as a Sqn Ldr, Test Engineer from ASTE, I was required to visit Air Force Station Jamnagar. I was to do the preparatory work for our weapon trials to be carried out later. Therefore, I was not with an ASTE trial team, and was required to travel alone by rail.

The onward journey to Jamnagar and the work there were uneventful. However, the return journey had something unexpected in store for me.

I had been working at the MT hangar in Jamnagar, where our trial equipment on wheels was stored. So, I was in good contact with the STO MT and some of his staff. Having given my transport requisition with their knowledge, it was natural for me to expect they would accommodate me on a suitable light vehicle on my return to the Railway Station.

To my surprise, a big 3-tonner arrived at the officers’ mess in the evening. During those times in the Air Force, a 3-tonner, for officers was not an unusual mode of transport. So, without an alarm, I happily pushed my suitcase in the rear and got into the front seat. The drama was only to begin now.

The Civ. MTD told me that it was a Routine Run and would therefore, go around the airmen mess and married quarters area before proceeding to the Railway Station. No issues, since I had a lot of time to catch my train. When we stopped at the airmen married quarters area, a Warrant Officer approached me to say that his wife was unable to climb up the rear. He requested me to let her sit next to me on the front seat. Without hesitation, I got down to let her in. Then feeling a little awkward to join her on the front seat, I asked the Warrant Officer to sit with her. It took a little time and persuasion to get the Warrant Officer to agree, and I happily went around to the rear of the transport.

I was shocked to see that the transport was overflowing with men. There was no place for me, however, I couldn’t afford to miss my train. So, recalling my student days expertise in climbing up the trains through the windows, I began climbing up. That is when a couple of generous hands grabbed me and pulled me in. There was no room to even stand straight, and all through the journey to the Railway Station, I remained in an 80 degrees inclined position, under uniform pressure from all sides.

Profusely sweating, physically strained, and terribly embarrassed, I got down at the Railway Station, picked up my suitcase and moved off without talking to anyone. Everyone was busy with one’s own problems – no one noticed me.

Anonymity was the best option. And I did well to walk off without making a scene. However, it took me a long time to breathe normal after getting into my 1^st class compartment.

I was extremely miffed at our system for pushing me into an insulting situation. I believed that the STO MT had neglected me just because I was way junior to him. It was sad that the Station Adjutant had also not cared to get the feedback about the RR getting overcrowded.

Looking back, I had no one else to blame. The Warrant Officer had no other option but to request me to accommodate his wife. And it was I who had persuaded him to change places with me. The airmen at the rear had thought of me as a fellow airman. The roughed-up treatment to me was something that they all were going through.

A lesson stayed with me throughout - to care for juniors, who did not have senior officers’ weight behind them and who did not demand anything.

God bless all !

Pramod Athawale