You Had What in That Bag?

In case you haven't heard, I am home from a cruise, but my clothes are not.  It's been 48 hours now, and no sign of my bag.

I have the American Airlines/Bag Status number memorized now.  I call often.  Sometimes I get someone very nice, and sometimes I get someone who is patronizing and patiently annoyed.  One of the former, a lovely lady, decided to go over the information they had to be sure all bases were covered.  I didn't know the brand of my bag when I was filing the original claim, so she added that--Travelpro.  I told her the size and that the color was not really brown as I had stated, but copper.

Then she said, "Tell me a couple of very specific things that are in the bag by which we might identify it.  Well.  You just wouldn't believe how easy that was.  I said, "Bathroom scales on top wrapped in a white Holland America robe with my initials on it.  Also a large plastic tray."  I am still chuckling over the fact that she actually asked me to describe the tray!  As if anyone else would have a tray--or especially the combination of a tray and bathroom scales!

I'm sure you can guess why the scales.  I have thought of taking them before, but the situation was right this time--so I did.  I weighed each and every morning, keeping track of the harm done.  And the tray?  I like to eat in my cabin or on my balcony.  Several years ago the ships stopped furnishing trays in the buffet eating area.  So I decided to carry my own.  I could step a short distance to the elevator, shoot up to the 12th floor, get my food and drink (I carried my lidded Starbucks cup for that), and get back almost as quickly as going to the kitchen at home!  My tray got a few stares, but they were probably jealous ones!   I just know I started a trend.

I am so thankful that there is nothing sentimentally irreplaceable in the bag, except the tray.  I bought it on my first visit to my cousin Sarah's home in Alpine, Arizona.  The shop where I got it is no longer there--it was gone even before the wildfires.  I loved the tray and used it every day, but I have another which is equally beautiful and serves the purpose.

On my last call I found out that I can file another claim after 5 days have elapsed.  (If I had told you it would be months, I was wrong.)   Will I be filing?  Will I receive back a mangled and mutilated bag?  Will I receive back my bag in perfect shape?  Will I receive no bag at all?  I know you all will be standing by with bated breath!  ...To be continued!