Last week Kobe Bryant was seen in an internet video jumping over an oncoming Aston Martin. Please see video.
My reaction: Wow. No way. What does his contract with the Laker's say about him doing dangerous stunts? If he didn't make it, his career could be over. That must be CGI. Kobe's friend is a bad actor. This must be a 'viral' commercial for Nike shoes.
Kid's Reaction: Wow. No way. Kobe is amazing, he should be the MVP. When are those Nike's coming out? I have to have them.
I am in no way arguing that my reaction is the better one. I am just pointing out that my reasoning was adult like, cynical and lawyerly. A kid's reaction is awe and wonderment. I miss that.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Lost Luggage
United Airlines lost my luggage yesterday. I was on a 35 minute flight. How difficult is it to put luggage on a plane when a passenger arrives at the airport 4 hours before scheduled departure? Very difficult apparently.
I arrived at the airport very early because I thought I could get on standby on a different flight. Well 2 hours after the standby flight was supposed to depart it was canceled. So I flew home on my original ticket. When I boarded the plane I could actually see my luggage sitting on a cart that was not being loaded onto our plane. I informed the flight attendant FOUR TIMES that my luggage was sitting on the tarmac. She repeatedly said that it would make it on the plane. It did not.
I was so furious when my bag was not on that rotating baggage contraption when I arrived at my final destination. After roughly 40 minutes I picked up the baggage kiosk phone. I was directed to a flight confirmation assistant. Huh? I picked up the "BAGGAGE KIOSK" phone. I thought it would be like the Bat Phone. NOT. The person who answered the phone had no clue why the baggage kiosk phone directed me to him.
When I finally got in touch with an actual baggage person I was asked "Why wasn't I putting in a claim at the airport?" Uh...because my actual flight was delayed by 2 hours and combined with waiting for my luggage on the carousel from hell I didn't quite feel like standing in a line 6 people deep (each person was averaging a 20 minute service time).
The airline industry really needs to step up its game but I definitely enjoy the train better. I LOVE riding the Amtrak Acela Service from DC to NYC. It's fast, there are no security lines (yet), the seats are comfortable and MOST IMPORTANTLY it places you directly in the city. I so wish that the American rail system could be improved for short distances (Chicago - Detroit, DC - NYC, Pittsburgh - DC, Philly - DC) so that service actually was comparable to the Eurostar from London - Paris.
I wish I could say I was done flying but I am not. Fortunately, United found my luggage and delivered it to my home the next day (the delivery man was pleasant AND within the alloted time range dictated to me by UAL) Before UAL found my luggage I was making a list on my Blackberry of all the things that would have to be replaced:
1 NorthFace Fleece
2 MAC lipglosses (Only in luggage due to travel restrictions)
1 Pair of Nike Air Max 95 (that I bought from Japan)
1 Couture Jacket
1 Backpack - random
3 Lacy Knickers
1 Pair of the best fitting Donna Karan Jeans EVER!!!
2 Mascaras (Blackest Black and Blue)
6 Pairs of Contacts
1 Lancome Juicy Tube
Yoga Pants
1 iPod Charger
1 Blackberry Charger
1 Silk Scarf
Several Ounces of LUSH Soap (which is like GOLD)
I am glad to have my luggage. Nevertheless, I probably will NEVER check luggage again.
Question of the month: If airlines are charging roughly $25 per extra bag checked are there certain guarantees for on time deliverables? And if so what are the penalties for the airlines not providing your luggage on the carousel immediately after your flight? (In my opinion, there should be a refund of the baggage fee AND double the value of the contents in your luggage).
IMHO - There should AT THE VERY LEAST be a bill of passengers rights enacted like the one in the EU. Do you agree?
I arrived at the airport very early because I thought I could get on standby on a different flight. Well 2 hours after the standby flight was supposed to depart it was canceled. So I flew home on my original ticket. When I boarded the plane I could actually see my luggage sitting on a cart that was not being loaded onto our plane. I informed the flight attendant FOUR TIMES that my luggage was sitting on the tarmac. She repeatedly said that it would make it on the plane. It did not.
I was so furious when my bag was not on that rotating baggage contraption when I arrived at my final destination. After roughly 40 minutes I picked up the baggage kiosk phone. I was directed to a flight confirmation assistant. Huh? I picked up the "BAGGAGE KIOSK" phone. I thought it would be like the Bat Phone. NOT. The person who answered the phone had no clue why the baggage kiosk phone directed me to him.
When I finally got in touch with an actual baggage person I was asked "Why wasn't I putting in a claim at the airport?" Uh...because my actual flight was delayed by 2 hours and combined with waiting for my luggage on the carousel from hell I didn't quite feel like standing in a line 6 people deep (each person was averaging a 20 minute service time).
The airline industry really needs to step up its game but I definitely enjoy the train better. I LOVE riding the Amtrak Acela Service from DC to NYC. It's fast, there are no security lines (yet), the seats are comfortable and MOST IMPORTANTLY it places you directly in the city. I so wish that the American rail system could be improved for short distances (Chicago - Detroit, DC - NYC, Pittsburgh - DC, Philly - DC) so that service actually was comparable to the Eurostar from London - Paris.
I wish I could say I was done flying but I am not. Fortunately, United found my luggage and delivered it to my home the next day (the delivery man was pleasant AND within the alloted time range dictated to me by UAL) Before UAL found my luggage I was making a list on my Blackberry of all the things that would have to be replaced:
1 NorthFace Fleece
2 MAC lipglosses (Only in luggage due to travel restrictions)
1 Pair of Nike Air Max 95 (that I bought from Japan)
1 Couture Jacket
1 Backpack - random
3 Lacy Knickers
1 Pair of the best fitting Donna Karan Jeans EVER!!!
2 Mascaras (Blackest Black and Blue)
6 Pairs of Contacts
1 Lancome Juicy Tube
Yoga Pants
1 iPod Charger
1 Blackberry Charger
1 Silk Scarf
Several Ounces of LUSH Soap (which is like GOLD)
I am glad to have my luggage. Nevertheless, I probably will NEVER check luggage again.
Question of the month: If airlines are charging roughly $25 per extra bag checked are there certain guarantees for on time deliverables? And if so what are the penalties for the airlines not providing your luggage on the carousel immediately after your flight? (In my opinion, there should be a refund of the baggage fee AND double the value of the contents in your luggage).
IMHO - There should AT THE VERY LEAST be a bill of passengers rights enacted like the one in the EU. Do you agree?
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