Lesson Learned the Hard Way

Posted by kim on July 12, 2006

One of my ultimate fears of flying is having my luggage lost. The longer I have to wait at the baggage carousel, the more anxiety sets in. And in Orlando, I waited and waited and waited. My luggage decided to not jump ship at the “Happiest Place on Earth” and ventured on to Georgia.

Southwest had hoped to get my luggage to me yet that night, but it didn’t happen. So I ventured to Walgreens and had to *gasp* pay full price for some makeup and feminine supplies – over $60! My teeth just clenched knowing I could get all that stuff way cheaper back home with coupons and sales. Luckily, since I had to wait over 24 hours, Southwest reimbursed my toiletries 100%.

But they would only reimburse clothing 50% up to $100. I had walked to a strip mall early the next morning before my conference in hopes of buying a new outfit, but the mall was not to open for a couple more hours. So I got in a nice morning walk in Florida’s HOT HOT humid weather. I did manage to buy some new underwear at a grocery store, and then I went to the Exhibit Hall and scrounged up a free shirt from a vendor there to wear with my jean capris. I wasn’t exactly dressed for success, but it had to do.

If my luggage would have been lost on the way home, it wouldn’t have been near the stress. From now on, I vow to carry on at least a change of underwear and some makeup in my laptop bag!