I have no baggage

We’ve all got baggage. The main difference between mine and yours is mine is actual baggage. The similarity? We’ve both got lots of it.

I’ve got carry-ons, duffel bags, expandable, cloth, spinner, hard shell. You name it, I’ve got it. My last trip proved a bit difficult for my favorite suitcase and, like others with baggage, it is in treatment right now. As a result, when I flew to Canada I took what Delta Airlines refers to as #22.

#22 is a standard black expandable suitcase that many individuals elect to carry on as opposed to checking. People like me, however, prefer to check my baggage at the door. I believe this is a strategy more people should employ – whether or not they are traveling.

My baggage arrived in Buffalo without incident. Made it through Canadian and American customs without incident. Arrived at my airport, also, without incident. Once it hit the carousel, however, there was incident.

Being that I was seated in the very rear of the plane – I may not have baggage, but I put the ass in class so they stick me in coach – it took me a minute to deplane, walk the terminal and assess the carousel situation. Unlike many times, the bags were deplaned quickly and it appeared all but four had been retrieved by passengers. Although there was a suitcase similar to mine on the carousel, it wasn’t mine. The carousel, however, was still moving, so I waited patiently. When it stopped spitting out baggage and moving, I wondered to myself, “Hmmm. Where is my baggage?”

I checked the other carousels, all to no avail, and then reported the situation to a baggage service representative. We double-checked the carousel and she came to the same conclusion as me – I have no baggage. Please take note.

The representative definitely took note(s) – detailing my baggage (#22), where they could drop off my suitcase if found, and a phone number where I could be reached any hour of the night (something with which I am very familiar). She also took the similar looking suitcase into custody. Prior to locking it up, she phoned the owner. Being that the suitcase had no less than five luggage tags, it was easy to 1) identify and 2) locate contact information. The owner, most likely on the way home from the airport, did not answer the phone.

Thus, I left the airport the way I leave my house every day, sans baggage. I have no baggage.