FINAL TRIP UPDATE, I HOPE
Last night, a man arrived at our house driving a van containing, of all possible things.... our suitcase! Home at last from its extended trip abroad.
As you can imagine, we had a tearful and joyous reunion with our unlaundered clothing. The only thing that kept our happiness from being complete was the fact that we actually went abroad with three suitcases.
After several phone calls and several more hours we got it all straightened out, and at 11 p.m. the van man came back with two more suitcases. At this point, we don't care if they're ours or not. We're keeping them.
The same thing happened to me coming through Heathrow, except when I got my bag back, everything of value was missing.
Posted by: elle | July 19, 2005 at 05:50 AM
When that happened to us, we woke the morning after our return to find our suitcases on our doorstep. I thought - that's way more convenient than waiting around baggage claim and lugging them home ourselves! Who needs access to dirty laundry that fast?
Of course, when it turned out that the bags belonged to travelling midgets with a corned-beef fetish, the joke was on us.
Posted by: Christobol | July 19, 2005 at 05:50 AM
elle - that's why I always put the spray cheese in my carry-on.
Posted by: Christobol | July 19, 2005 at 05:53 AM
Congratulations!! What d'ya bring me? Naughty pasta?
Posted by: Sondra | July 19, 2005 at 05:53 AM
So you got my bags!!
Posted by: Beef Loving Midget | July 19, 2005 at 05:55 AM
Customer: Hi. I'm checking two bags for this flight. I'd like you to send this bag to Seattle and this bag to Traverse City, Michigan.
Ticket Agent: I'm sorry, sir, but we can't do that.
Customer: Are you sure?!
Ticket Agent: Yes, I'm quite sure.
Customer: Liar. 'Cause you sure managed to do it last month!
Posted by: Brainy Jello | July 19, 2005 at 06:04 AM
its why i dont bring suitcases. i just wear everything, and stuff the rest in pockets. makes those TSA people crazy, but i've never lost anything. wait. i dont fly. hmmm. my coworkers of course didnt notice that i was wearing my prom dress over workout clothes.....
Posted by: queensbee | July 19, 2005 at 06:09 AM
We had something similar happen on our trip to China. Except they saved time by losing the bags on the way OVER to China. But the bags were waiting for us at home when we returned two-and-a-half weeks later.
Fortunatly, they were full of clean clothes, so we also saved our laundry time.
Posted by: fred | July 19, 2005 at 06:13 AM
A few years ago a snowstorm made me miss a connection in Pittsburg. Since it was late and my flight out was early, I decided to just hang out in the terminal for the night.
The plane I came in on was parked a couple of gates down all night. The plane I left on was parked at the gate where I sat all night.
Did my bag make the transfer? Nooooo.
Posted by: pogo | July 19, 2005 at 06:20 AM
This is why I think the trick is to pack light and buy a brand new outfit for each day of your life.
Posted by: M.C. | July 19, 2005 at 06:21 AM
Dave - If you open them, and one contains 16 smelly blue shirts, you'll know it's yours.
If there are jellie willies covered in strange fluffy goo, you've got Ridleys.
Posted by: Punkin Poo | July 19, 2005 at 06:27 AM
That will teach this blog to ever even think about traveling further than 30 feet away from the blog's home again.
Welome Home Dave we missed you.
Posted by: Addicted to 24 | July 19, 2005 at 06:37 AM
I used to be the guy driving the van- they're probably not yours. But yes, you may keep them, as long as you tipped well.
Posted by: Dave (not Barry) | July 19, 2005 at 06:42 AM
I gotta admit - I've never lost a suitcase when flying somewhere, because I never fly anywhere. I'm afraid of heights, and airplanes. The one time I flew (to Tampa, FL) I gave my luggage to my parents, who were driving down in their RV a couple days before I left. When I got to Florida, my clothes were there. And my folks brought my suitcases back with them, too. It all worked out great.
And yes, I do go on vacation, but I usually take my fifth wheel camper. Home away from home, on a hitch. It's a beautiful thing.
Posted by: Aunt Nancy | July 19, 2005 at 06:42 AM
Elle, I feel pretty silly about this, but the last time I went through Heathrow, I got my bags back stuffed with everything of value to someone else.
Erm, I don't suppose you were missing an autographed picture of Newt Gingrich in a thong and half a jar of Cheez-Whiz, were you? Cause I...um, got the munchies on the mule ride back to Hooterbump, Wyoming and snarfed the Cheez-Whiz. Still have the pic though, if you need it back.
Posted by: Federal Duck | July 19, 2005 at 06:42 AM
I lost a bag in transit from Heathrow to Kennedy, and when I realized this, I laughed my ass off.
I imagined some idiot, rubbing his hands together in anticipation of hidden treasure, only to find a valise chock full of dirty undies and smelly arch supports.
I think he leaves the hospital this Thursday.
Posted by: Amy | July 19, 2005 at 06:48 AM
"At this point, we don't care if they're ours or not. We're keeping them. "
We do the same thing with Chinese take-out, look over the little receipts stapled to the bags next to the register. If number 52 looks good enough and they don't answer the call, I'm number 52.
Posted by: Number 65 | July 19, 2005 at 06:53 AM
Aunt Nancy, I have to fly to NYC next month- what does your folk's schedule look like?
Posted by: Dave (not Barry) | July 19, 2005 at 06:56 AM
So, is the Van Man now on your Christmas card list?
Posted by: MOTW | July 19, 2005 at 06:57 AM
Fed-
So YOU stole my NEWT!!!!
By the power of Limbaugh I will get it back.
*Shakes fist*
Posted by: elle | July 19, 2005 at 07:12 AM
"by the power of Limbaugh"
*SNORK!!!*
Posted by: Tamara | July 19, 2005 at 07:20 AM
Dave (nB) I'm afraid my folks don't travel anymore. But for a minimal payment, I'll use my truck and fifth wheel camper to take your luggage to NYC and back. I'll go visit my nephew in Albany whilst you conduct whatever business it is you're conducting.
Hmmmm...let's see...918 miles from Iowa to NYC one way...gas averages $2.25 per gallon...I get about 14 mpg in my old F-150...o're the ramparts we watched...interest compounded daily...
That'll be $10,000.
Posted by: Aunt Nancy | July 19, 2005 at 07:27 AM
Interesting Miami fact: Legal Cuban immigrants usually aren't allowed to bring luggage with them. So they come into Miami with layers upon layers of clothing. A relative of mine wore two pairs of shoes. Really it seems like a pretty convenient way to travel, albeit less than comfortable in Miami weather.
Posted by: DM | July 19, 2005 at 07:54 AM
if it's any consolation, they do the same thing with luggage between gatwick and dallas.
too bad the bags can't use a camera. it would add so much to the vacation shots of exotic places you didn't go
Posted by: sj | July 19, 2005 at 07:59 AM
too bad the bags can't use a camera.
*considers outfitting bags with mini-cam*
Anyone interested in the NEXT reality show? Airline Bags in Transit! What we don't get to see...
Posted by: kibby F5� | July 19, 2005 at 08:08 AM
kibster - put that idea on pay-per-view and you've got yerself a nice little nest egg in the making there.
Posted by: MOTW | July 19, 2005 at 08:44 AM
kibster - put that idea on pay-per-view and you've got yerself a nice little nest egg in the making there.
Posted by: MOTW | July 19, 2005 at 08:46 AM
When we were delayed in Bismarck for de-icing (tale on another thread), our bags din't get to Ontario (CA) when we did.
After about 16 cycles of the carousel, we went to the "lost bags" office ...
"OH," he says (after playing solitaire or something on the computer for about 10 minutes), "they're still in Bismarck ..."
We had a choice of coming back or having them delivered. I was staying in San Bernadino, but my partner was headed for Oxnard and points north ... we waited six hours, and my bag and ONE of his arrived ... (we both got vouchers from the airline for our inconvenience) ...
Of course, the one that didn't get there on time had his skivvies and other essentials in it.
I think they were supposed to deliver it to him wherever he was going to, between Oxnard and San Francisco ...
I think mebbe that (missing underwear) was why I didn't associate with him until we got home again ...
Posted by: U.O | July 19, 2005 at 12:50 PM
Elle - Sadly, Limbaugh has lost his power. It was all in his potions, and the Feds won't let him take them anymore.
Maybe O'Reilly would get your Newt-in-a-thong back for you. I hope you don't mind if it's covered in falafel.
Posted by: Maud | July 19, 2005 at 06:30 PM
"by the power of Limbaugh"
Is that as strong as the power of limburger?
Posted by: Blogchik | July 19, 2005 at 08:25 PM
About a year ago, I was working on a photo shoot in Jamaica. While I always carry on my main make-up case, my bag with my brushes, sponges, curling irons, not to mention my clothes, toothbrush and tobacco products, were checked. When I arrived Sunday night, my bag was still in MIA. (And, come to think of it, was MIA!) Making do with what I had and what I could scrounge, I was able to do the job I was being paid to do. (We won't disscus my general personal hygene or my nicotine withdrawl.) Late Thursday afternoon, as I just finished putting make-up on my last model, a knock came at my door. My suitcase had arrived. I now cram everything into a carry-on when I go to Jamaica. TSA has fits, but so be it.
Posted by: alanboss | July 19, 2005 at 10:48 PM