It was a week ago Saturday morning. I was calmly sitting in an empty gate area in the Portland PDX airport waiting area enjoying a few bites of an apple fritter and a cup of coffee when I heard my name paged overhead. Hadn’t heard that in a few years. Not since my days working in ICU and that has been awhile. I thought surely there was some mistake when the operator announced my name again, and this time said for the entire airport to hear:
“Please return to the Southwest Ticket Counter! If you arrived on the shuttle from the Holiday Inn airport hotel (I did), you have taken the wrong carry-on!”
Well, hellllooooo! THIS time I glanced down at MY carry-on which CLEARLY had MY name and identification tag on it but to be sure opened it up and – yep! There it was! MY personal journal and MY blood pressure prescription – oh yes, clearly labeled! (I was obviously going to need it any minute now – the prescription that is). This time, I was mad! I went to the nearest telephone and picked it up. The operator connected me with the Southwest Airlines desk. I identified myself and assured her that I had never been to the Southwest ticket desk! Ever. I was flying United and, in fact, I had checked in at curbside!
To make matters even clearer to her, I commented that I had never ever flown their airlines! I was in possession of my own clearly marked carry-on! She suggested that I just bring said carry-on to the Southwest Airlines ticket desk! What part of my CLEAR explanation did she not understand?! My plane was (supposedly) minutes from loading and I had absolutely NO intention of heading “back” to somewhere I’d never been to in the first place! While I DO have a “mercy” spirit (it’s one of my “gifts”), I was I having a hard time coming up with it at the moment!
Once again, I reassured her that the carry-on in my hot little hand was my very OWN luggage. I felt sorry for the two individuals who had each other’s luggage – I really did. And, in the end, I would arrive in the Midwest with ONLY this carry-on (next post) and more than my share of frustration with the airlines industry.
Oh, how I was looking forward to actually being within DRIVING distance of family once again…
8 Comments
Tim Perkins
Well, it is so difficult to get through an airport without something going wrong. My dear wife rarely lapses into panic mode, but all she has to do is smell jet fuel nearby and she immediately goes haywire.
I’m so happy you’ve made it to the flatlands again and know that you’re adjusting. Know that we are thinking about you and praying for you.
Rinat Chase
Where is the rest of the PDX story? It was very interesting lol…
JUDY MORABITO
Welcome back Dianne,
Judy
Kellie
I am so sorry the airport turned what was most likely an emotional trip into a highly frustrating one as well. I have enjoyed your blog for many years just wanted to say you are in my prayers!
Jennie Craine
Great to hear that you are safely back with your family, but that must have been a very frustrating time in the airport. I am surprised they didn’t believe you could READ and recognize your own hand luggage!
I look forward to hearing about your new life in the Prairies.
Christine
Great to see you back in blogland, and clearly from your first post on this new blog, you must have survived the handluggage ordeal. Sending you lots of Scottish love and wishing that “lang may yer lum reek” (long may your chimney smoke – a traditional blessing for a new home).
Sharon Whitehurst
During our years in WY United Airlines was the only option to fly–with a problematic connecting service to Denver or Salt Lake. On one occasion delays and rerouting meant that I finally arrived ‘home’ for my Mother’s memorial service with only the few items in a carry-on backpack. Our luggage didn’t reconnect with us until we returned to WY a week later.
I’m sorry for the upheaval that made relocation necessary for you, but glad to see that you are going courageously on with both life and journaling.
tanna
Have really enjoyed reading through your blog… seems we share a love of our grandchildren. Happy you are near some of yours and will look forward to seeing how your and your daughter’s book goes. blessings ~ tanna