(no subject)

[lollardfish]

We're back. We have no luggage. It got to Chicago, but didn't make it out again. The plane was too heavy and they took some off, though they didn't tell us about it.

I feel only slightly worse for the people with frozen fish from their trip to Alaska, all packed and good for "twenty hours." They aren't going to make it.

Comments

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

How was London?

K.

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

Fine, really. The security line was long, but moved rapidly. The fact that no one has big carry-ons does speed things up. We had 3 hours or more there, and ironically our stomachs felt really pretty solid, so we ate at a pub and were happy, then bought some books, I finished editing my thesis, and the flight was fine.

We were delayed, though, because the flight crew got caught up in security apparantly because some BAA checkpoints that the crew usually goes through were closed due to a lack of staff.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

That's odd. Flight crews normally just jump to the head of any security line.

The big problem flight crews are having now is that they have to check their luggage -- no liquids or gels -- which makes it harder for them to make connections.

B

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

They all seemed really annoyed about it. Like, they went to their normal "front of the line" spot to arrive on time for the flight, found it closed, went somewhere else, got pushed to the front of the line ... except behind all the other flight crews ... and an hour went by.

And it's not like they get to the airport 3 hours early in case something goes wrong.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I am so glad I'm not flying through Heathrow on Saturday.

B

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

It's really not bad though. As a preferred type, you probably could take the "fast track," which seemed at least a little faster (though it was for British Air, I suspect you'd qualify. It was for frequent travellers and people with small kids).

Boarding was a breeze. No big bags on carryon.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Most of the time I qualify for Fast Track. And I keep extra Fast Track cards in my bag, for the times I don't.

B

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

Fast. Track. Cards.

Are these forgeable?

Fast Track Cards

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

They're mass printed, so in theory they are. But not with home -- or Kinko's -- equipment.

They're single use. The airline gives them to First- and Business-Class passengers in the airplane, and we use them when we land. I just keep a couple extra in my bag just in case.

B

[tesla-aldrich.livejournal.com]

Finished editing your thesis - as in done done?

Congratulations!

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

Oh. No. Gosh.

I printed out a draft and did a full edit, pen in hand, over the course of the trip. Long, but good. I have a much better sense of the project as a whole now, and shortly will get back to work at it.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

"The plane was too heavy and they took some off, though they didn't tell us about it."

I've been thinking about this. My guess is that the plane was no heavier than usual, but that their calculations are off.

Plane weight is calculated based on people and baggage. Each person is given some standard weight which includes carry-on bags. Each checked bag is either weighed or given some standard weight. Multiply everything out, and you know the total weight of the passengers and their bags.

So far so good, but the recent rule changes mean that lots more people are checking bags that would otherwise have been carry-ons. Which means that the standard weight per person is now higher than it should be, which means that the total weight is now higher than it should be.

The airlines are going to need some new data before they get this one right.

B

[creidylad.livejournal.com]

You're probably right. Also, any bag given "standard" weight has the odds of being lighter than tagged.

Anyway, welcome back to the US, Mr.-and-future-Mrs. lollardifsh!

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

"Also, any bag given 'standard' weight has the odds of being lighter than tagged."

Another good point.

B

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

This is all more or less what the woman I just talked to at American Airlines just said.

[bethlet.livejournal.com]

Undoubtedly, though I personally would prefer to wait a day or two for my luggage than to crash and die because the plane was too heavy. ;)

Congratulations on making it home. And on your engagement!

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

I would prefer, though, that AA calculated their weight capacity correctly when filling up the airplane. Or at least made an annoucement, "Folks, we're overweight and have had to leave some bags behind, but don't be alarmed, we'll get them to you first thing tomorrow morning."

[bethlet.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on that one. Wholeheartedly.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

But if you think about, the flight attendents are the last people in the world to want to make that announcement. They'll end up spending the entire flight dealing with people who ask "When are we getting our bags?" or "Are my bags on the flight or are they delayed?" and taking criticism and abuse -- all without having any ability to solve the problem. The flight attendents are happiest, and I'll bet the flight is smoothest, when everyone flies in blissful ignorance.

B

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

Solution to that: instead of making the announcement at the beginning of the flight, make it at the end. "If you don't see your checked baggage at the baggage claim facility, there is no need to panic. We were overweight and had to remove some bags before takeoff. Leave your name and address with the baggage claim office, and your bags will be delivered to you in the morning."

This assumes, of course, that they HAVE a handle on the problem and can get the bags delivered promptly the next day...

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Big assumption.

But yes, the ground agent should have made that announcement when he announced which baggage claim carousel to wait at.

B

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

Right. Exactly.

[buttonlass.livejournal.com]

Heehee. She said Mrs. Lollardfish. Hee.

Thank you.

[zinzinzinnia.livejournal.com]

Why isn't he Mr Buttonlass? ;)

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

Cause she didn't buy me no ring yet.