Enough!
I haven’t really updated about my trip so far, but after a call with a coworker tonight I figured that I should do so.
It all started a week ago when I flew out from Minneapolis after a day of work in Minneapolis. I work all weekend on trying get the right packing set up. I started with on big bag from my parents, but I thought it was too risky. With on lost bag I would be out of luck.
So I went out and bought a new rolling garment bag for my dress clothes. I then used my standard roll-on bag for my casual clothes for Ireland and the weekend. That with my new back-pack for my camera equipment and random stuff would go on the plane as carry-on luggage.
The flight progressed with out any incidents excepting me only sleeping for and hour and a baby throwing up as we were landing all over the isle I had to walk through. I ‘m not a quesy person, but imagine sitting on the tarmac at Gatwick Airport with no more air conditioning and the stench slowly working its way down the plane. Not fun.
We finally get off the plane. We wander all over the airport to check in for our international flight. I’m not sure where to go next, but I find a person from the airport and he directs me to another terminal. I work around many people who have never used a self-checkin terminal.
As I enter the security line a British Airways (BA) person let me know that neither my roll-on nor my backpack will fit with in the new requirements for BA carry on sizes. What the hell?! Did the British swap out their entire fleet of 737s, A320s, et al for Saab Turbo props? Why? It doesn’t do any good to argue, so I check by carry-on bags, transfer my camera to a flimsy plastic bag and go through security.
I’m slightly worried that my laptop will be destroyed or lost along with my plan to have a back up set of clothes. But hey, I was in the land where people talk funny, but I can still understand them (for the most part). I’ve got my camera and my wallet, I can still make it to Co. Mayo for some pictures and buy clothes in necessary. Remember this: my luggage has just been lost, I just didn’t know it yet. The announce over the intercom that we have so switch planes for some reason, from gate 55D to 55E. The thought crept in to my mind would my carry-on bags make it on the plane?
(Unbelieveable, I’m watching the Vikings, right now, and they’re winning 6-0!)
It was an uneventful flight to Dublin. I got some sleep on the plane, but not much since it was only a 50 min. flight. Another side note; I can almost sleep through take off and landings, only the wheels touching or leaving the ground wake me up. I get to Dublin and through another passport check to the luggage carosel.
I start to worry about my carry-on luggage, did it make it??? After many passes and half of plane getting their luggage, I finally got my carry-on luggage. But i just wait and wait for my gament bag. Wait a little longer, the off to the lost luggage counter.
Here is where it gets interesting. I go the Aviance counter. Aviace is the baggage handler for BA. I’m first in line and understand what should happen, I make the point that the bag needs to go out West and i can wait all night for my bag. Not a problem it is on a flight tonight and will make it out to Ballycatle tomorrow afternoon. Ok, I say, not a problem, just note I’ll only be there until Friday.