Bag Found In Time for Return

I left for Milan on July 10 and discovered to my relief that Northwest Airlines/KLM is better at ferrying people around the world than baggage. I guess I should consider myself fortunate that they were able to keep track of me and ensure I reached my destination safely.

My one and only checked in bag did not share my good fortune. Not only did my bag not make it on to the flight to Milan, but NW/KLM had no real idea where it was. On arrival in Italy, I was told that it was in Amsterdam and it would be there that evening or the next day. Three days later, I was told that the only thing they knew for sure was that the bag never left Detroit. Another three days later, they admitted that they had no idea where my bag was.

I don't get it. In these days of heightened security, wouldn't someone notice a bag lying anywhere in an airport untouched for several days? Surely baggage handlers must have a minimal amount of criosity regarding this lonely bag lying untouched in a corner? Wouldn't someone stepping on the large garment bag on their way in and out of work start wondering after a few days whether it is worth checking to see if the bag is supposed to be just lying around there?

Well baggage handlers are apparently not a curious lot. After almost completely giving up hope on this bag eveer being found, I got a call on July 17 saying that the bag had been found and would be delivered to me that night. I spent the evening waiting for the bag only to be crushed in diappointment again. Finally, mid-day on July 18, my bag was delivered in one piece. The only problem was that I was leaving Italy for my return to the USA on July 21.

So, I did have two days to enjoy my shaver, tooth brush, and clean underwear.

Dormancy

Usually, when I travel, I have a ton of things to talk about (review my recent Poland trip posts). However, my whole blogging deal assumes easy and regular access to the Internet. After I returned from Poland, I was so overwhelmed at work, that I ignored this blog for a while. Then, I headed off to Milan for a conference and assumed I would restart this blog. However, despite staying at a decent hotel right in Milan which is costing me 150 euros a night, they do not have internet access in the rooms!

And I DO have a lot to write about. Most importantly my miserable adventures with Northwest Airlines. I have been in Milan 4 days now and I have NO BAGS. Northwest-KLM cannot find them anywhere and cannot tell me when they may be delivered.

I just decided to check my email and noticed Tom Dooley's comment on this blog's apparent death. Tom, the problem is Internet access. I promise to post my whole bag adventure here the moment I get reliable internet access late at night when I don't have to sit in the lobby to access email.

The notices of this blog's death were premature.