While I was working in Sweden, I had many chances to visit London. Through a strange set of circumstances, while performing historical research I was able to be of service to the Abbot of Westminster Abbey. As a reward, I was presented with a weather worn carved capital from the Chapel of Henry VI which was being replaced with a new one. (The service had pertained to this restoration work.) Although weatherworn and a bit crumbly, it is delicately carved, and so I worked hard to protect it. Since it weighs 50+ pounds, this was not easy.
Fortunately, I had travelled from Sweden to England with my good Lady, her Mother, and her sister... Even though the latter two of our party were planning to travel onwards, rather than return to Sweden, it had been cheapest to buy everyone round trip tickets... So the fact that I had a 50+ pound chunk of Westminster Abbey didn't seem like it would present a problem... I had a pair of spare return trip tickets. It could fly as a passenger!!!!
Check in was fun...
"I'd like to check in three to Sweden..." presenting the tickets... “Yes sir... would you put your carry-on bag on the scale???" “No, that's one of the passengers". “Yes, sir, would you put your bag on the scale."
"No, I didn't make myself clear. That is not a bag belonging to a passenger... that bag IS the passenger."
"Excuse me sir... did you say the BAG is the PASSENGER?"
"Yes, and it would like a window seat."
At this point they decided I was definitely daft, and I spent the next ten minutes talking to various managers... Finally that was cleared up, and the bag got its window seat.
Arriving at the security gate, I placed my bag firmly (ka-thunk) on the x-ray machine... and of course no x-rays penetrated the rock...
So they asked me;
"What do you have in there, a rock?"
"Why yes, I do".
"Well sir, could you be so kind as to open it?"
"But of course..."
Well, they were very amused, but seeing as how I had the foresight to obtain a legal possession and export document, they finally let it through.
I thought I had it made, but the people at the boarding gate noticed that I was lugging this bag as if it contained somewhat over the 14 pounds weight allowance for carry on luggage. Also, I was treating it gingerly since it is a irreplaceable thing, and I didn't want to damage it... "Excuse me sir, but if that bag weighs more than 14 pounds you will have to check it..."
"No, that's okay, it isn't a bag, it's a passenger with it's own ticket... right here." With that, I showed the ticket.
"Yes sir, where is the person who's ticket this is?"
"No, let me make it clear, this bag is the passenger, it is going to sit in a seat, next to the window."
"Yes, sir, could you kindly step into the security office with us?..."
Sigh...
Finally we board the airplane... I thought we had it made... But alas, fate had a bit more planned for me. Shortly after the plane buttoned up, the stewardess came around and asked me if I could move the bag off of the seat (It was firmly seat belted in place), because a passenger wanted to move to the window (I should have realised that might cause problems).
"No, I am afraid I won't move the bag, and besides, I have paid for that seat...."
"Well yes sir, if that is your reserved seat, then could you sit in it and give the other gentleman the seat you are sitting in?"
"I'm afraid I have not made it clear... I have paid for a ticket for the bag... it is a passenger. That is its reserved seat.... I have a ticket, I am a passenger, and this is my reserved seat. We are both passengers, with tickets, and reserved seats... (and trying to suppress a grin...) and we would both like the chicken entree." ....
Eventually I was able to convince the co-pilot that the bag was a bonafide passenger with a ticket, that it didn't constitute a threat to the welfare of the airplane, and that it did have a right to both the window seat ... and the chicken entree
source unknown
No comments:
Post a Comment