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The departure from the Kingdom
is either from Jeddah or Madinah. Some pilgrims who came via
Jeddah may go back from Madinah. All the pilgrims should make
sure of their departure schedule well in advance so as to avoid
any last minute surprises.
All the pilgrims should follow
the advice of the Moallims and the Indian Mission officials for
the departure phase. It is the requirement of the Saudi
Government that all the pilgrims should reach the Airport
before 8 hours of departure of the Flight. Add to it the
travel time from Makkah to Jeddah Airport; so all the buses
leaves 12 hours before the flight time from their respective
buildings. Working backward
all the buses are stationed 15-14 hours before the flight time
at the respective buildings. It is essential for all the
pilgrims that they are prepared at least by the time the buses
arrives at the building for departure. All their baggage should
have been packed and brought to the lobby of the building. Any
last minute shopping and visit to other places should be
avoided.
Pilgrims should remember to carry enough money to buy food and
water at the Haj Terminal for the waiting time. Airlines only
supply food packets if delays are more than 6 hours beyond
scheduled time of departure. Saudi authorities also prohibit the
Consulate and other welfare agencies to provide any eatables to
the Pilgrims at the terminal. All pilgrims have to buy their own
stuff at the terminal. Therefore, it is advisable if pilgrims
could carry some snacks, fruits and water along with them from
Makkah to the Jeddah Haj terminal.
The Pilgrims should stick to the baggage allowance. Any excess
baggage should preferably
be
sent by
cargo beforehand. There have been delays in past
because of the excess baggage from the pilgrims. Also if the
baggage is more than the allowance it may so happen that baggage
of all the pilgrims
traveling
in a bus may not come in that bus. In such cases the Indian
Haj Mission has no role to play and Moallims may decide to
transport that baggage in separate vans and it may be difficult
for the pilgrims to identify their baggage after reaching the
airport. So it is absolutely essential that the pilgrims stick
to the baggage allowance and give the excess baggage to the
Cargo service in advance. It should also be remembered that
giving the excess baggage to the Cargo means less charge than
paying for the excess baggage at the check in as accompanying
baggage. For example in
Madinah if they exceed the prescribed weight, they will
have to pay excess baggage charges at the airport at the rate of
SR13/- per kilo.
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