BAGGAGE Claim (or Baltimore Harbor)
Everyone lines up 2 inches from the conveyor belt...crowding each other out and making it next to impossible see bags or for the person who's bag does arrive to retrieve it without hitting those crammed together. BACK UP. Yes, you really can see from a foot away, and yes you won't get hit, and yes you'll have room to get your bag.
Got twelve people in your group? Do all twelve of you need to be there? NO! Station a few people to get the luggage and others well back to watch over the luggage as you get it. Particularly if you have children in the mix. Kids at the edge getting fingers caught trying to grab luggage not smart. Kids sitting on the lip of the conveyor belt........really not smart. Wake up parents.
How many people have black luggage? THOUSANDS and then some. Attach ribbons, bows, colorful something to your bag so you can spot it easier. And while they...(airport officials) always tell people to look at the address label that should be on luggage, 9 out of 10 people don't look. I've lost track of the number of times I see someone grab and go and minutes later someone finds out their luggage was taken by someone else. Pay attention, yes it takes a few minutes; but far less time then filing a claim and going to the hotel empty handed or returning home waiting on the jerk to realize he or she has your luggage.
Travel isn't very civilized, but YOU can make it nicer. Breath and take a few minutes, everyone will feel better if you do.
Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
This cracked me up! Yes, every time! I just stand back with the carry ons and let my husband fight the crowds. It just doesn't make sense. Love your B post!
ReplyDeleteI solve the baggage mistaken identity problem by buying luggage in the most offensive shade of pink imaginable, and then decking it out in uncomplimentary colors of yarn. No one wants to be seen with that bag. Not even me. Sometimes I consider leaving it behind and walking away in embarrassment.
ReplyDeleteNicky @ http://njmagas.wordpress.com/2014/04/02/b-is-for/
please leave the url to y our blog using the name and url option, then it's a live link verses cut and paste, and or use a hperlink
DeleteI have a trip coming up and I am trying to decide if I will check or carry on! Baggage claim is such a hassle!
ReplyDeletePlease leave the url of your blog post vs your profile page
DeleteCrowding the conveyer belt is one of my two biggest travel/flying pet peeves. (My other is when people rush to exit the plane - just be civilized and exit row by row - wait your turn!)
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying your style of writing. You totally capture the travel experience! Airports are such a funny place to people watch:)
ReplyDeleteThis is great. :) I have a fair bit of experience with baggage claims and learned quickly the importance of an easily-spotted suitcase! Mine is red--still a common color, but less so than black.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the smile! :)
Hi, I'm Perry from ArmitageAgonistes.wordpress.com. I can't seem to comment with my usual ID. I love the idea of using colorful ribbons to easily identify luggage. It makes the Carousel Chaos a little easier to manage.
ReplyDeletePerry, use the name and url option then you can leave your link, or use the hyperlink method that should help you.
DeleteThank you Corinne, Nikky, Kate, Ann, Leslie, Jaimine and Perry for your visits and comments both are appreciated. I'm with limited internet at the moment, but will visiting everyone and returning comments.
ReplyDelete