How to lose $3,600 in one trip! Update pg 7, post 95 w/the cutest pics ever posted!
- Thread starter tc
- Start date
to your son-in-law and all of his buddies!
Minniespal
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Can't wait to read more.
tc
<font color=blue>Miracles are amazing!<br><font co
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First off, thank you all for the wonderful comments regarding my son-in-law. All politics aside, it's great to see people support our servicemen, regardless. The Army has been wonderful to him and has made him believe he is a vital, worthy, important person and is needed in this world. It has always been so, he just couldn't see it until now. So, thank you again! Now, on with the saga!
We wake Wednesday morning, bright and early. Well, maybe Im bright, but its not bright outside. But, it is early, 4:00 a.m. to be exact. I have been awake since 2, cant sleep, too many things on my mind. Its hard to travel with babies, and Ive never done it before. Besides, I usually travel with my 6'4", 220 lb husband, who takes care of me. Now, dont get all uptight, I can make my own decisions, and be independent. I just like to be safe, and he makes me feel safe. My lack of feeling safe stems from being assaulted as a teenager, you just never outgrow that feeling. I am much better now, though, or I wouldnt be taking this trip. But, I am now in charge of a little person, and my two girls are counting on me to make things smooth. Therefore, the pressures on, so I cant sleep.
Well, I get up, shower, check, double check and re-check the lists, bags, folders, wallets, etc. and decide we can go. Chloe is already awake for her 5:00 a.m. feeding, but I get a sleeping Ireland from her crib, put her in her car seat, with fingers crossed that she stays asleep, and off we go around 5:00 a.m. We have to take Steves 83 Landcruiser because we cant fit all of our luggage (only two suitcases, mind you), two carry ons and a double stroller in either my car or Kimmis, so it takes a little longer to get there (he wont drive above 60 mph, who would want a car that wont go the speed limit?!?) We arrive at 5:45, and our plane leaves at 7:30, cutting it a little close, but we are confident we can make it. Oh, and by the way, Ireland woke up as soon as the cruiser was started and was wide awake all the way to the airport. She doesnt sleep, but is happy anyway.
We check in, check our luggage (along with the double stroller), give kisses to Papaw, and head to security. Kimmi has Chloe in the Baby Bjorn (greatest invention since flushing toilets) and I have Ireland in the Monkeybums. Yes, thats what its called. Its a sling, a big piece of cloth that she can ride on my hip and leave my hands free, also a great invention. We make it through security, get on the train, and, by the look on Irelands face, wed arrived at our destination. Every time the train stopped, shed sign More and giggle like crazy when it started again. Cheap entertainment for an 18 month old. We get to our gate, grab McDs and board. Well, we try to board, but find out that two lap babies cannot sit in the same row, not enough oxygen masks. So we step out of line, and wait until they can get us seats, in an already over-booked airplane, that are not in the same row. The big problem was that all the girls things were packed in the same bag. Now, Kimmi was sitting 10 rows behind me, across the aisle, on the window. We quickly rearrange the contents of her bag, putting toys and snacks in my bag, and then we board, last. The leg from Denver to Atlanta was uneventful except for the airline seat aerobics Ireland and I did for 3 hours. Stand up, sit down, turn around, lean over, turn around, stand up, play peek-a-boo with business man in row behind us, repeat. She was so good, but she has no idea what it means to sit quietly. I said shes smart, not docile.
When we land, there was an announcement that this flight continues on to Orlando, but those continuing on could de-plane, and return in an hour and a half. We were also told we could leave our carry-ons on the plane if we choose, its a secured area and no one but the flight crew would be on the plane.
Have you ever had a moment in your life when you wish you would have made a different choice? Like in February of this year. I was driving to work, it was snowy, icy and yucky. I decided to take a different route to work to avoid the most traffic, etc. Well, on this country highway, someone spun out of control, another car tried to avoid that car, and hit me, broadside. Totaled my 2000 Vapor New Beetle. Probably only VWguy understands what that really means. This is a limited edition Beetle, baby blue, only 2000 were sold of this color in the U.S. I was the only person in town who had this car. I changed my antennae ball with the seasons and holidays. I loved this car. (Now I hear my mom saying, We love people, not things. Yes, I know, but I loved this car. Not I love it so much I dont let anyone drive it, park it 20 miles away so it wont get scratched, dont eat in it, loved it, but, I truly enjoyed having it, and planned to keep it until my grandkids could drive it when they were old enough. I had no intention of ever getting another car. Anyway, my bug was gone and I was sad and wishing I had decided to keep my same route and not avoid traffic. (I didnt replace my bug with another VW, we got Steves dream car that hed been saving for years, and its fun, but not my bug.)
Well, I am at another, Why didnt I make a different decision? moment in my life right now. The flight attendant asked us if we were continuing on, we said yes, she asked if wed like to leave our carry-on on the plane, I asked if she was sure it was safe, she said, Yes. So we did. Bad, bad, bad idea, I know. We left my bag on the plane. My bag with the laptop, two digital cameras, two Annual Pass vouchers, $55 in Rainforest Café gift cards, my ID, credit and $120 cash (let's just say about $3,600 worth of money, electronics and plastic.
) I told the flight attendant what was in the bag, and she still said, Leave it, itll be fine. Many others were leaving their carry-ons, we saw them in the overheads while we were talking. My reasoning for leaving it was that it was so heavy, we didnt have a stroller and it was in a bag with handles, not shoulder straps. Lesson #1, always have bags with shoulder straps when you are traveling with babies. So, we de-plane with my bag on the plane (bad, bad, bad idea), and go get some lunch (brunch for us, but we were in the Eastern time zone now and it was noon, you know, when in Rome!)
We get lunch, return to our gate, only to find that we had a gate change. GATE CHANGE??? How far away? We had 30 minutes to make it to a gate that was 18 minutes away. We ran, Chloe in the Baby Bjorn, Ireland in the sling, and we were running. I hadnt realized, at this point, that a new gate meant a new plane, that would hit me when we boarded. As we get on the plane, Kimmi notices the seats are a different color, and she tells me, This is not the same plane. We pass a family that was on our previous flight, who left their carry-ons on the last plane (we noticed them because of the princess suitcase the daughter had) and they had all of their pink, princess stuff with them. We make it all the way to the back of the plane, and my bag was not there. No where, not under the seat where the flight attendant placed it on the other plane, not in the overhead, no where, no where, no where. I immediately alerted the flight attendant (not the same crew as the first leg) and she stopped the take-off process in order to locate the bag. After many phone calls, a discussion with the pilot (I always feel very important talking to the pilot, etc.) I am told that the lead ground attendant said they had the bag, but couldnt get it to us by the time we took off, but would have it sent to Baggage Services in Orlando. She told us to go ahead and go to Orlando, and the bag would be there an hour later. Second lesson learned? Dont trust the Flight Attendant. This was the second one that told me misinformation.
We land in Orlando, I am sick to my stomach, cried out and exhausted. Ireland did finally sleep, but Kimmi had her on this leg and I had Chloe, who also slept, thank the good Lord for miracles! What happens next? Well, I really must get some work done, sorry to leave a cliff hanger, but Ill continue later today or tomorrow.
Is that bag at Baggage Services, did we meet Aunt Sissy okay, did Ireland ever sleep more than 55 minutes that day? All will be answered next time on, Oh where, oh where did my little bag go?
We wake Wednesday morning, bright and early. Well, maybe Im bright, but its not bright outside. But, it is early, 4:00 a.m. to be exact. I have been awake since 2, cant sleep, too many things on my mind. Its hard to travel with babies, and Ive never done it before. Besides, I usually travel with my 6'4", 220 lb husband, who takes care of me. Now, dont get all uptight, I can make my own decisions, and be independent. I just like to be safe, and he makes me feel safe. My lack of feeling safe stems from being assaulted as a teenager, you just never outgrow that feeling. I am much better now, though, or I wouldnt be taking this trip. But, I am now in charge of a little person, and my two girls are counting on me to make things smooth. Therefore, the pressures on, so I cant sleep.
Well, I get up, shower, check, double check and re-check the lists, bags, folders, wallets, etc. and decide we can go. Chloe is already awake for her 5:00 a.m. feeding, but I get a sleeping Ireland from her crib, put her in her car seat, with fingers crossed that she stays asleep, and off we go around 5:00 a.m. We have to take Steves 83 Landcruiser because we cant fit all of our luggage (only two suitcases, mind you), two carry ons and a double stroller in either my car or Kimmis, so it takes a little longer to get there (he wont drive above 60 mph, who would want a car that wont go the speed limit?!?) We arrive at 5:45, and our plane leaves at 7:30, cutting it a little close, but we are confident we can make it. Oh, and by the way, Ireland woke up as soon as the cruiser was started and was wide awake all the way to the airport. She doesnt sleep, but is happy anyway.
We check in, check our luggage (along with the double stroller), give kisses to Papaw, and head to security. Kimmi has Chloe in the Baby Bjorn (greatest invention since flushing toilets) and I have Ireland in the Monkeybums. Yes, thats what its called. Its a sling, a big piece of cloth that she can ride on my hip and leave my hands free, also a great invention. We make it through security, get on the train, and, by the look on Irelands face, wed arrived at our destination. Every time the train stopped, shed sign More and giggle like crazy when it started again. Cheap entertainment for an 18 month old. We get to our gate, grab McDs and board. Well, we try to board, but find out that two lap babies cannot sit in the same row, not enough oxygen masks. So we step out of line, and wait until they can get us seats, in an already over-booked airplane, that are not in the same row. The big problem was that all the girls things were packed in the same bag. Now, Kimmi was sitting 10 rows behind me, across the aisle, on the window. We quickly rearrange the contents of her bag, putting toys and snacks in my bag, and then we board, last. The leg from Denver to Atlanta was uneventful except for the airline seat aerobics Ireland and I did for 3 hours. Stand up, sit down, turn around, lean over, turn around, stand up, play peek-a-boo with business man in row behind us, repeat. She was so good, but she has no idea what it means to sit quietly. I said shes smart, not docile.
When we land, there was an announcement that this flight continues on to Orlando, but those continuing on could de-plane, and return in an hour and a half. We were also told we could leave our carry-ons on the plane if we choose, its a secured area and no one but the flight crew would be on the plane.
Have you ever had a moment in your life when you wish you would have made a different choice? Like in February of this year. I was driving to work, it was snowy, icy and yucky. I decided to take a different route to work to avoid the most traffic, etc. Well, on this country highway, someone spun out of control, another car tried to avoid that car, and hit me, broadside. Totaled my 2000 Vapor New Beetle. Probably only VWguy understands what that really means. This is a limited edition Beetle, baby blue, only 2000 were sold of this color in the U.S. I was the only person in town who had this car. I changed my antennae ball with the seasons and holidays. I loved this car. (Now I hear my mom saying, We love people, not things. Yes, I know, but I loved this car. Not I love it so much I dont let anyone drive it, park it 20 miles away so it wont get scratched, dont eat in it, loved it, but, I truly enjoyed having it, and planned to keep it until my grandkids could drive it when they were old enough. I had no intention of ever getting another car. Anyway, my bug was gone and I was sad and wishing I had decided to keep my same route and not avoid traffic. (I didnt replace my bug with another VW, we got Steves dream car that hed been saving for years, and its fun, but not my bug.)
Well, I am at another, Why didnt I make a different decision? moment in my life right now. The flight attendant asked us if we were continuing on, we said yes, she asked if wed like to leave our carry-on on the plane, I asked if she was sure it was safe, she said, Yes. So we did. Bad, bad, bad idea, I know. We left my bag on the plane. My bag with the laptop, two digital cameras, two Annual Pass vouchers, $55 in Rainforest Café gift cards, my ID, credit and $120 cash (let's just say about $3,600 worth of money, electronics and plastic.
) I told the flight attendant what was in the bag, and she still said, Leave it, itll be fine. Many others were leaving their carry-ons, we saw them in the overheads while we were talking. My reasoning for leaving it was that it was so heavy, we didnt have a stroller and it was in a bag with handles, not shoulder straps. Lesson #1, always have bags with shoulder straps when you are traveling with babies. So, we de-plane with my bag on the plane (bad, bad, bad idea), and go get some lunch (brunch for us, but we were in the Eastern time zone now and it was noon, you know, when in Rome!)We get lunch, return to our gate, only to find that we had a gate change. GATE CHANGE??? How far away? We had 30 minutes to make it to a gate that was 18 minutes away. We ran, Chloe in the Baby Bjorn, Ireland in the sling, and we were running. I hadnt realized, at this point, that a new gate meant a new plane, that would hit me when we boarded. As we get on the plane, Kimmi notices the seats are a different color, and she tells me, This is not the same plane. We pass a family that was on our previous flight, who left their carry-ons on the last plane (we noticed them because of the princess suitcase the daughter had) and they had all of their pink, princess stuff with them. We make it all the way to the back of the plane, and my bag was not there. No where, not under the seat where the flight attendant placed it on the other plane, not in the overhead, no where, no where, no where. I immediately alerted the flight attendant (not the same crew as the first leg) and she stopped the take-off process in order to locate the bag. After many phone calls, a discussion with the pilot (I always feel very important talking to the pilot, etc.) I am told that the lead ground attendant said they had the bag, but couldnt get it to us by the time we took off, but would have it sent to Baggage Services in Orlando. She told us to go ahead and go to Orlando, and the bag would be there an hour later. Second lesson learned? Dont trust the Flight Attendant. This was the second one that told me misinformation.
We land in Orlando, I am sick to my stomach, cried out and exhausted. Ireland did finally sleep, but Kimmi had her on this leg and I had Chloe, who also slept, thank the good Lord for miracles! What happens next? Well, I really must get some work done, sorry to leave a cliff hanger, but Ill continue later today or tomorrow.
Is that bag at Baggage Services, did we meet Aunt Sissy okay, did Ireland ever sleep more than 55 minutes that day? All will be answered next time on, Oh where, oh where did my little bag go?
Credit Man
<font color=teal>Love the shark reef<br><font colo
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WOW! A cliffhanger!!! Enjoying your report.
loving your trip report so far... great writing style... and you have me hooked w/the beautiful family, army wife/daughter, amazing grandkids and the fact that you're headed to disney!! of course the cliffhanger helps too! LOL! looking forwrad to the next installment!
kellyb2000
<font color=green>I admit it...my username is bori
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Oh my goodness! That makes me nauseous just thinking about it.
belleandthebeast
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Want to hear the rest!
tammyandtommy
Just call me Duckie!
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more more more! This is like soap operas, leave ya hangin for another day
bigmerle1966
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NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Don't leave us hanging, I've had enough cliffhangers this week and there are more to come. Call in sick to work.
Don't leave us hanging, I've had enough cliffhangers this week and there are more to come. Call in sick to work.
OhMari
WDW PreTrip and Trip Moderator
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- Apr 23, 2000
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- 15,183
Hey TC,
It's OhMari aka Marisa, they made me a Co-moderator Trip Reporter. I've been wondering what you have been up to. I think the last time I posted with you was when you were so devestated with your light blue bug.
Looking forward to your report. Thanks for the updates with everything.
It's OhMari aka Marisa, they made me a Co-moderator Trip Reporter. I've been wondering what you have been up to. I think the last time I posted with you was when you were so devestated with your light blue bug.
Looking forward to your report. Thanks for the updates with everything.
spokanemom
DIS Veteran
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- Feb 26, 2006
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- 769
I second the "take a day off to finish". Perhaps your employer will understand our needs and let you work on your TR instead! 
medicgirl_911
Going to disney 5/1!!!!
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Great trip report, I am really enoying it! And what a great post 2 weekleave pick me up for your daughter after hubby went back. I really wish someone would have done that for me lol! What a good mom!
tc
<font color=blue>Miracles are amazing!<br><font co
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2000
- Messages
- 3,191
Okay, we just got off the plane and Kimmis phone rings. I had given the lead, ground flight attendant that number, and was hoping it was her. It wasnt. It was Aunt Sissy, she just arrived from Kansas City and is very excited to see us and get to WDW. I felt bad that I had to shoot her down with our saga. We agree to meet at baggage claim, and head that way.
We arrive at baggage claim, get our two bags (is no one impressed that we have 2 adults, 2 babies and only 2 checked bags!?!?) and the stroller, load up the kiddies and walk over to Baggage Services to see when THE BAG will arrive. They look at me as if I had sprouted green hair from my nostrils. Total confusion and lack of understanding. You left your carry-on on the plane?!? They would have never told you to do that? After explaining a second time, they look on the computer and find a text message from the lead, ground flight attendant in Atlanta, that she would put the bag on the next flight, if the flight attendants would accept it. It arrives in ½ hour. Finally the green hair from my nose disappeared and we were understanding each other. She advised me to go back through security to the gate, and get my bag personally. Only problem, I dont have an ID. She asks me who I am traveling with, I tell her my daughter, she asks me if I look like my daughter. I said yes, but Im 20 years older, no one would believe that pic was me. Well, she would escort me through security, keep the ID in the wallet so as to obsure the pic, and hope that we make it through. Now, if theres nothing else you know about me, you should know this, I DONT BREAK RULES, ever. I go the speed limit, always. I come to a full and complete stop at all 4-way stops, even if there are no other cars in the intersection. I dont cut the tags off the pillows, even though they now say the person who buys it can. So, going through airport security on my daughters ID was terribly stressful for me, but I did it. On the way, I see Aunt Sissy heading over to Kimmi, so at least I know they are together and Kimmi isnt tending two babies alone.
We whizz through security, no bags, no issues, and I head to the gate and wait. The plane arrives, the passengers get off, the flight attendants leave and no bag. I had talked to the gate attendant, and he said he would talk to someone as soon as the plane was empty. He talked to all flight attendants, no bag. He talked to the pilot. Yes, he heard about a bag, but couldnt hold the plane for it, so he told them to put it on the next flight. It arrives in 1.5 hours. Depressed, nauseous, and feeling really stupid, I tromp to the next gate. I called Aunt Sissy (since I have Kimmis phone) and give them the status. Then I call Stephen and cry forever on the phone. We would go through this same scenario 3 more times. I finally give up and return to Baggage Services. Its now 7:30 p.m., weve been at the airport for 5 hours. Ireland is in her second outfit due to a blow-out and Chloe is being wonderful. When I arrive back at Baggage Services, there is a whole new crew there trying to help. I have the copy of the original text message which thrills Kim and Dan, our new helpers. They plunge in anew with phone calls to anyone they can think of. At this point, no one knows where the bag is, or if its even in Atlanta. In the meantime, my dear husband has called the Dolphin and told them we would be checking in late. He told them the entire story, and the Dolphin offers to pay for a cab for us to get to the hotel. I had a Mears transfer, paid for, but was unsure if they would honor it since I had not ID or credit card. I went downstairs to talk to Mears, and they did honor it. So, transfers in hand, I head back to Baggage Services. I get every name of every person who helped me, get phone numbers and gave them ours, admitted defeat and headed to the shuttle. Its now 8:00, the time we were supposed to be eating with Cinderella at 1900 Park Fare. I had completely forgot about it, so didnt cancel our PS. Bad Diser!!!
We are riding with three other passengers (mom and daughter and a woman business traveler) and cant help but discuss our situation. They are sympathetic, but clueless as to how to help. While Aunt Sissy is talking to her husband, she gets another call, its Michael from Baggage Services/Lost and Found in Atlanta. THEY FOUND MY BAG!!!!! He was looking in it while we spoke. Laptop, check. Two digital cameras, check. AP vouchers, check. Okay, lets look in th wallet. ID, check. Credit Card, check. Rainforest Café gift cards, check. $120 cash, um, hmm, no, just change. Bummer. But, when you think youve just lost over $3,000 worth of stuff, $120 doesnt seem so bad. Then Kimmis phone rings. Its Baggage Services on Orlando, Kim to be exact. Kim was supposed to get off at 8:00, but stayed late to try some more and was successful. She said the bag will be put into a Delta box, taped up and sent by courier to the Dolphin around 2:00 a.m. Initially, I was told Id have to pay for it to be sent, but Delta decided to cover the cost.
I praised Jesus, thanked Kim, Dan and Michael and immediately called Stephen. He spent the rest of the evening talking to Delta about the missing cash. We knew the bag never left Delta employees hands and figured the cash was the only thing taken because it was untraceable. We are still dealing with them.
You have no idea the relief I felt on that ride to the Dolphin. Everything had a brighter hue, although the sun was setting. All of the sudden, I was hungry, starved to be exact. We laughed, we played games, and were finally on vacation.
We arrived at the Dolphin around 9:00 p.m. I sent the girls to hang in the lobby and I went to the desk. I spoke to the same girl that Stephen had talked to and she asked if she needed reimbursement for the taxi. I informed her that we took the Mears, and she was a little disappointed. She wanted to spread a little magic. She gave me two keys for my room, and said my suite was ready. Umm, SUITE!! SWEET!!! I verified that it was still the same, amazing rate, my amazing friend got for me, and she said it was. I said, Wow, I have a really great friend! She said, Yes, is amazing, huh?
So, we head to our sweet, suite, but I didnt tell the girls about the room. Its on the same floor as the entrance and only half-way down one hall. Great room. A view of the boat dock for the Swan/Dolphin. We had a room with a king-sized bed and seating area, with small sink area, adjoining a room with two double beds, and the crib was there, free of charge!!! The girls were ecstatic. Lots of room for Ireland to run around and spread out. Well, first things first, food. Do we want to head to Tubbis (well, its called Picabu now, but it will always be Tubbis to me). No, were exhausted, so room-service it is. Very good meal. I has the shrimp alfredo pasta, Kimmi had the same w/o shrimp, and Aunt Sissy had a chicken sandwich. Total for food $82, total for a final meal to a very stressful day, priceless.
Thank goodness we were on Mountain time. Its really only 7:00 for our bodies, but Ireland is needing sleep. She goes down w/o a fuss, Chloe eats and we all head to bed.
Tomorrow we have to head to Shades of Green to buy Aunt Sissys tickets, so we are looking forward to seeing parts of WDW weve never seen before.
Next installment: Heavy, heavy, heavy!!!
We arrive at baggage claim, get our two bags (is no one impressed that we have 2 adults, 2 babies and only 2 checked bags!?!?) and the stroller, load up the kiddies and walk over to Baggage Services to see when THE BAG will arrive. They look at me as if I had sprouted green hair from my nostrils. Total confusion and lack of understanding. You left your carry-on on the plane?!? They would have never told you to do that? After explaining a second time, they look on the computer and find a text message from the lead, ground flight attendant in Atlanta, that she would put the bag on the next flight, if the flight attendants would accept it. It arrives in ½ hour. Finally the green hair from my nose disappeared and we were understanding each other. She advised me to go back through security to the gate, and get my bag personally. Only problem, I dont have an ID. She asks me who I am traveling with, I tell her my daughter, she asks me if I look like my daughter. I said yes, but Im 20 years older, no one would believe that pic was me. Well, she would escort me through security, keep the ID in the wallet so as to obsure the pic, and hope that we make it through. Now, if theres nothing else you know about me, you should know this, I DONT BREAK RULES, ever. I go the speed limit, always. I come to a full and complete stop at all 4-way stops, even if there are no other cars in the intersection. I dont cut the tags off the pillows, even though they now say the person who buys it can. So, going through airport security on my daughters ID was terribly stressful for me, but I did it. On the way, I see Aunt Sissy heading over to Kimmi, so at least I know they are together and Kimmi isnt tending two babies alone.
We whizz through security, no bags, no issues, and I head to the gate and wait. The plane arrives, the passengers get off, the flight attendants leave and no bag. I had talked to the gate attendant, and he said he would talk to someone as soon as the plane was empty. He talked to all flight attendants, no bag. He talked to the pilot. Yes, he heard about a bag, but couldnt hold the plane for it, so he told them to put it on the next flight. It arrives in 1.5 hours. Depressed, nauseous, and feeling really stupid, I tromp to the next gate. I called Aunt Sissy (since I have Kimmis phone) and give them the status. Then I call Stephen and cry forever on the phone. We would go through this same scenario 3 more times. I finally give up and return to Baggage Services. Its now 7:30 p.m., weve been at the airport for 5 hours. Ireland is in her second outfit due to a blow-out and Chloe is being wonderful. When I arrive back at Baggage Services, there is a whole new crew there trying to help. I have the copy of the original text message which thrills Kim and Dan, our new helpers. They plunge in anew with phone calls to anyone they can think of. At this point, no one knows where the bag is, or if its even in Atlanta. In the meantime, my dear husband has called the Dolphin and told them we would be checking in late. He told them the entire story, and the Dolphin offers to pay for a cab for us to get to the hotel. I had a Mears transfer, paid for, but was unsure if they would honor it since I had not ID or credit card. I went downstairs to talk to Mears, and they did honor it. So, transfers in hand, I head back to Baggage Services. I get every name of every person who helped me, get phone numbers and gave them ours, admitted defeat and headed to the shuttle. Its now 8:00, the time we were supposed to be eating with Cinderella at 1900 Park Fare. I had completely forgot about it, so didnt cancel our PS. Bad Diser!!!
We are riding with three other passengers (mom and daughter and a woman business traveler) and cant help but discuss our situation. They are sympathetic, but clueless as to how to help. While Aunt Sissy is talking to her husband, she gets another call, its Michael from Baggage Services/Lost and Found in Atlanta. THEY FOUND MY BAG!!!!! He was looking in it while we spoke. Laptop, check. Two digital cameras, check. AP vouchers, check. Okay, lets look in th wallet. ID, check. Credit Card, check. Rainforest Café gift cards, check. $120 cash, um, hmm, no, just change. Bummer. But, when you think youve just lost over $3,000 worth of stuff, $120 doesnt seem so bad. Then Kimmis phone rings. Its Baggage Services on Orlando, Kim to be exact. Kim was supposed to get off at 8:00, but stayed late to try some more and was successful. She said the bag will be put into a Delta box, taped up and sent by courier to the Dolphin around 2:00 a.m. Initially, I was told Id have to pay for it to be sent, but Delta decided to cover the cost.
I praised Jesus, thanked Kim, Dan and Michael and immediately called Stephen. He spent the rest of the evening talking to Delta about the missing cash. We knew the bag never left Delta employees hands and figured the cash was the only thing taken because it was untraceable. We are still dealing with them.
You have no idea the relief I felt on that ride to the Dolphin. Everything had a brighter hue, although the sun was setting. All of the sudden, I was hungry, starved to be exact. We laughed, we played games, and were finally on vacation.
We arrived at the Dolphin around 9:00 p.m. I sent the girls to hang in the lobby and I went to the desk. I spoke to the same girl that Stephen had talked to and she asked if she needed reimbursement for the taxi. I informed her that we took the Mears, and she was a little disappointed. She wanted to spread a little magic. She gave me two keys for my room, and said my suite was ready. Umm, SUITE!! SWEET!!! I verified that it was still the same, amazing rate, my amazing friend got for me, and she said it was. I said, Wow, I have a really great friend! She said, Yes, is amazing, huh?
So, we head to our sweet, suite, but I didnt tell the girls about the room. Its on the same floor as the entrance and only half-way down one hall. Great room. A view of the boat dock for the Swan/Dolphin. We had a room with a king-sized bed and seating area, with small sink area, adjoining a room with two double beds, and the crib was there, free of charge!!! The girls were ecstatic. Lots of room for Ireland to run around and spread out. Well, first things first, food. Do we want to head to Tubbis (well, its called Picabu now, but it will always be Tubbis to me). No, were exhausted, so room-service it is. Very good meal. I has the shrimp alfredo pasta, Kimmi had the same w/o shrimp, and Aunt Sissy had a chicken sandwich. Total for food $82, total for a final meal to a very stressful day, priceless.
Thank goodness we were on Mountain time. Its really only 7:00 for our bodies, but Ireland is needing sleep. She goes down w/o a fuss, Chloe eats and we all head to bed.
Tomorrow we have to head to Shades of Green to buy Aunt Sissys tickets, so we are looking forward to seeing parts of WDW weve never seen before.
Next installment: Heavy, heavy, heavy!!!
Grumpy's Wife
Dollar Tree gal here
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2005
- Messages
- 26,988
tc I must say that I clicked on this thread thinking it was from horsegirl. Please don't sell yourself short. Your writing is supurb. You have sucked me in. I am so looking forward to hearing the whole saga.
belleandthebeast
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2001
- Messages
- 634
Thank goodness you found your bag!!! I was stressing just reading it and the saga is already over!
I sincerely admire you for your patience and calm manner. Something like this would have put me over the edge! You are my hero!
I sincerely admire you for your patience and calm manner. Something like this would have put me over the edge! You are my hero!
and I probably would have trusted them when they said to leave the bag on the plane, especially with 2 babies in tow. However, when the plane/gate change occurred, there should have been a terminal wide announcement and they should have made sure your belongings got to the right plane. And to find only untraceable cash missing is just awful.
Thankfully the bag and ID are back where they belong. Money is much more easily replaced than identification. Looking forward to hearing more of your girls trip.
And I simply have to comment...looking at the picture of you, and knowing that you and I are about the same age (I turned 43 just about 2 weeks ago) there is no way it's possible. You look fabulous. And to be a mom and grandma, when I'm still trying to convince a 3.5 yo that he needs to ditch the diaper overnight is just blowing me away.
I wish I could look as good as you when I'm that age, but I am
. Looking forward to the next installment.
Thankfully the bag and ID are back where they belong. Money is much more easily replaced than identification. Looking forward to hearing more of your girls trip.
And I simply have to comment...looking at the picture of you, and knowing that you and I are about the same age (I turned 43 just about 2 weeks ago) there is no way it's possible. You look fabulous. And to be a mom and grandma, when I'm still trying to convince a 3.5 yo that he needs to ditch the diaper overnight is just blowing me away.
I wish I could look as good as you when I'm that age, but I am
. Looking forward to the next installment.-
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