I had the misfortune to be caught up in this ruse. 14 plus years ago I was travelling from the USA to London where I was to catch a charter flight to Goa. Weather conditions delayed my flight in the USA and so I missed my connecting charter flight from London to Goa and had to purchase a one-way ticket from London to Goa on a regular flight. I figured that I could still use the return leg of the Charter flight. At departure time at the Goa airport, the police official asked me for the arrival card issued to incoming charter flight passengers. I explained my situation to him. He said that I had to have an arrival card or else I could not board the charter plane. But for a "fee" he would give me a card. I gave him U.S. $ 20 and he wrote something on a piece of paper and placed a rubber stamp on it and allowed me to go to the departure gate. This paper was then handed over at the departure gate. Since I did not get a receipt I guess it was a bribe ? Imagine my situation. I had to board the flight or pay an exorbitant amount for a regular flight if I could get one. So paying the $ 20 seemed the easiest way out at the time. My conversation with the policeman was in Konkani, but my fellow passengers (Britishers) who were watching, figured out what had happened and asked me about it. I was thoroughly ashamed to be a Goan on that day. I guess there are many more such stories..................... This was the first and last time that I travelled by a Charter flight..... but that is another story for another time.
