A tail of unfounded optimism!
.
Boarding the second fight my roll on bag was snatched (yes, snatched) from me at the last moment by a gate Nazi. I had a carry on overnight bag
atop this roll on, which is allowed (two item limit). So all was well on the first leg from Louisville KY to Charlotte NC.
On boarding the second leg to DFW I had removed my hybrid tablet/laptop and its shoulder bag in anticipation of using
it enroute. When the gate attendant saw this, instead of saying too may items (now three)so that I could quickly store it again, my roll on was confiscated and placed in cargo.
That would have been acceptable as it contained only clothing and nothing breakable. Alas, the attendant did not bother to check it through to my destination.
It therefore sat overnight at DFW, to be sent on the next morning to Midland TX, my destination. On arrival to Midland this occasioned waiting until the luggage
attendant was available (after arriving luggage had been placed on the conveyor for routine baggage claim, then meeting the attendant). Mind your it was
11:30 PM when we met at the long abandoned ticket counter to file a missing bad claim. I was assured it would be delivered the next day, which
I specifically requested at that time.
.
The next day following arrival, first a call at 9 AM. Since we were not in bed ntil 4 AM that went to voice mail. The call was to ask (again) if
we wanted it delivered as previously stated. I called that afternoon starting at 2 PM and no answer until the third try to the phone number left in my voice mail.
In the meantime I had attempted to reach the ticket counter or baggage claim, but in the interest of (d)efficiency with the
newly combined American Airlines with United, no local desk was available, only a central 800 number. I was later that
day contacted and told no delivery as they were short personnel! Finally, just past noon on the next day the bag arrived.
I was on my third day in the clothing I originally wore in the image above (however washed on night two)!