Yes, it's true. We've been gone on another trip. When we made plans to go to China in May, mom did not want to go with us. It was a good thing because we realized later that it would have been too strenuous for her.
Therefore we decided to take her on a trip to the "Mainland" instead. She'd never seen all the canyons in Utah and Arizona so we decided to take her there.
My cousin, Arnold drove us to the airport despite the early morning hour. We went via Hawaiian Airlines. However, just as we were boarding, the agent said there wasn't enough room in the overhead bins for our carry-on so we'd have to do a gate check-in.
Do you know Hawaiian Airlines still serves food? It's great! I brought that inflatable footrest for mom which she liked but she said her foot got cold.
People had warned us that the Las Vegas terminal is very large and required a lot of walking. I'd called ahead to ask for a wheelchair since mom's knees often bother her if she has to walk too long a distance. Once we arrived in Vegas, it took a long while for wheelchairs to be brought for the many people needing that assistance.
When we got to the baggage claim, they had two of our check-in suitcases, but was missing our all important carry-on luggage that had all of our cameras, cell phone, iPad, Kindle chargers, our one day's emergency clothing, sleep wear and ALL of Art's travel clothes. It also had my new Northface jacket for the cold morning we were expecting at the Grand Canyon. The Las Vegas Baggage Claim had no idea where it went.
There was nothing we could do, but the baggage claim agents said they would keep us informed. I was sure the bag was stolen.
This was not a great welcome for our return trip to Las Vegas after exactly 40 years when we moved to the mainland in 1973. We stepped out of the airport to catch a shuttle to Dollar car rental. The BLAST of hot 102 degree Las Vegas heat was a shock to the system. It really was like walking into an oven!
It was incredible to drive through the strip and see all the amazing buildings. An Egyptian pyramid and the Sphinx? The Eiffel Tower? The Statue of Liberty? Roman statues?
We checked into the California hotel because we'd heard that this was where all the people from Hawaii stayed.
Our cell phone battery was running low which was a worry since that's how baggage claim was going to reach us.
Art had to use one of my blouses since his sleep wear was in the missing baggage. I admit that was the one thing that made us laugh.
While mom rested in the hotel room, Art and I walked the short distance to Freemont Street and saw a bit of what Vegas is famous for.
We went to bed worried and trying very hard not to show our dismay to mom. I knew that it would upset her even more if she knew how stressed we were.
It was a terrible start to a trip that was supposed to be especially happy and exciting for mom.
Therefore we decided to take her on a trip to the "Mainland" instead. She'd never seen all the canyons in Utah and Arizona so we decided to take her there.
Day #1: June 12, 2013 Wednesday
My cousin, Arnold drove us to the airport despite the early morning hour. We went via Hawaiian Airlines. However, just as we were boarding, the agent said there wasn't enough room in the overhead bins for our carry-on so we'd have to do a gate check-in.
Do you know Hawaiian Airlines still serves food? It's great! I brought that inflatable footrest for mom which she liked but she said her foot got cold.
People had warned us that the Las Vegas terminal is very large and required a lot of walking. I'd called ahead to ask for a wheelchair since mom's knees often bother her if she has to walk too long a distance. Once we arrived in Vegas, it took a long while for wheelchairs to be brought for the many people needing that assistance.
When we got to the baggage claim, they had two of our check-in suitcases, but was missing our all important carry-on luggage that had all of our cameras, cell phone, iPad, Kindle chargers, our one day's emergency clothing, sleep wear and ALL of Art's travel clothes. It also had my new Northface jacket for the cold morning we were expecting at the Grand Canyon. The Las Vegas Baggage Claim had no idea where it went.
There was nothing we could do, but the baggage claim agents said they would keep us informed. I was sure the bag was stolen.
This was not a great welcome for our return trip to Las Vegas after exactly 40 years when we moved to the mainland in 1973. We stepped out of the airport to catch a shuttle to Dollar car rental. The BLAST of hot 102 degree Las Vegas heat was a shock to the system. It really was like walking into an oven!
It was incredible to drive through the strip and see all the amazing buildings. An Egyptian pyramid and the Sphinx? The Eiffel Tower? The Statue of Liberty? Roman statues?
We checked into the California hotel because we'd heard that this was where all the people from Hawaii stayed.
Our cell phone battery was running low which was a worry since that's how baggage claim was going to reach us.
Art had to use one of my blouses since his sleep wear was in the missing baggage. I admit that was the one thing that made us laugh.
While mom rested in the hotel room, Art and I walked the short distance to Freemont Street and saw a bit of what Vegas is famous for.
We went to bed worried and trying very hard not to show our dismay to mom. I knew that it would upset her even more if she knew how stressed we were.
It was a terrible start to a trip that was supposed to be especially happy and exciting for mom.
Oh dear, every travelers nightmare. Do hope everything turned out okay. Can't wait until your next post.
ReplyDeleteDenise
An English Girl Rambles
I would be very angry. We carry our expensive and irreplaceable items in carry-ons for that very reason and you were last in boarding because you were caring for someone. They should have had more room. I am certain your stuff will turn up in a day...but still!! You are so good to your mother making sure she does not get stressed.
ReplyDeleteNightmare! I hope everything was resolved satisfactorily.
ReplyDeleteIt's hotter now...102 was cool then. Happy vacationing!
ReplyDeleteActually, we're home now and recuperating. It feels so cool in Hawaii now that we've experienced extreme heat.
DeleteTravel nightmare. I would be on overload just being in Las Vegas. I hope things got better!
ReplyDeleteoh no, what a start to a trip, I hope they found them, ( stay tuned til tomorrow right?)
ReplyDeleteLas Vegas is actually my idea of a nightmare all by itself. I sure hope you got all your carry-on stuff. That is incredible that they lost it.
ReplyDeleteoh this is a nightmare, lost important baggage! I forgot about the Vegas heat!
ReplyDeleteYikes! Usually gate baggage check is great--the suitcases are waiting for you when you deplane and there's no need to go to the baggage claim area. When I travel I carry all my things in one suitcase--if it got misplaced it would be a disaster!
ReplyDeleteWell, drats. Sounds like a call by retired Arnold couldn't help? I've purchased "early bird boarding" just to avoid the rush and to have some bin space. I think Southwest preboards the wheelchair folks and removes them first.
ReplyDeleteDelta LOST my Mom once, between flights. She was via wheelchair for the long ramps, and quite competent mentally by herself, and my brother kept looking for her after the plane emptied, called the manager, flashed his security clearance badge, demanding they find his mother! They finally said she was on the tarmac being wheeled instead of the elevated ramp way. Don't lose your Mom!
DrumMajor
Your mom??? Good grief! I did call cousin Arnold but there wasn't anything he could do. He tried. It was all in the hands of Las Vegas' Baggage Claim and they had no idea what happened to it.
DeleteNever a fun way to start a trip. It seems like every flight I have been on lately has required some people to gate-check their carry-ons, even though it seemed like there was still room in the overhead bins.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed that any airline still serves food.
And yes, we DID notice to our chagrin that there was room in the overhead bins when we got to our seats.
Deletehopefully they'll find your bag
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a lot of carry-on you had there. Sue hope it turns up in your next story.
ReplyDeleteAs a tip, I carry a very large handbag when traveling where I can put much of that stuff you listed. No clothing except a sweater, though.
Goodness. travel can be stressful. Hope everything turned out well. Dianne
ReplyDeleteOh what a bummer...I don't know what I would do (I get really upset when things go wrong which is why I'm OCD). Yes that certainly puts a damper on your trip and like you said you couldn't show your dismay to your mom. I hope tomorrow's post will be good news.
ReplyDeleteL...w
Jet setters!
ReplyDeleteAloha
Oh that is awful! I hope you got it taken care of without too too much trouble and worry. Looking forward to hearing the outcome and that things went well after that.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great weekend!
What a rotten start. We once got to our destination in Luxembourg, having driven all the way, and discovered that Christopher had left my suitcase at home. I spent the entire week wearing the same pair of jeans and sandals, bought some underwear and socks and a t-shirt and had to wash clothes every night. Our towels had been in that suitcase too, so we did have to buy them.
ReplyDeleteNo words. This is too awful to comment on, even. :(
ReplyDeleteOh, my. I am sitting here holding my breath and reading on.
ReplyDeleteOh dear! How awful to lose the luggage. I am going to your next post to see how you are doing! BTW I admire your mom!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely your mom could join you in travel. Beautiful photos, and I'm waiting to hear if the lost luggage ever finds you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a time! We did carry-on to Vancouver. But EVERYONE wants to do carry-on!
ReplyDeleteWhat, no picture of Art in your blouse? I hate that your luggage was lost. What a bummer!
ReplyDelete