While I'm trying not to divert your attention from the expansive, exhaustive Year-End Vacation Compilation post, this feelgood travel story just couldn't wait until I'm back in the office.
Whenever we travel by plane together, my two sons laugh at me for anal-retentively tagging each of my bags. Not only do I ensure that every bag has my permanent Aeroplan Elite tags and the airline-issued baggage tag, but I also add those hand-written paper ones at every leg of the flight. My bags end up looking like a French chandelier, but better be safe than sorry I always say.
Especially these days, because just after clearing security before catching my recent flight to Vail, I got a strange, Surprising call on my cellphone.
"Mr. Nulman, this is Air Canada calling."
Oh no. What nightmare awaits me now? I held my breath.
"It seems that somehow, the flight tag has fallen off one of your bags," the voice continued. "Where are you exactly?"
"I'm heading to the gate," I answered.
"What flight are you on?" he continued.
"The 7:50 to Denver," I replied.
"Fine, we have plenty of time. The bag will meet you there.""One thing...how did you know it was mine?"
"Well, I saw your name and phone number on the tag, so I figured I'd take a chance and see if I could get you before you left."
"Hmmm...one more question. If you didn't have my name and number, what would've happened?"
"Well, we could've kept the bag here, and waited to hear for a lost luggage claim. But because of the holiday rush, who knows when you would've received it."
By the way, the waylaid bag contained two pairs of snowboard boots, a mountain jacket and a helmet...things that, if missing, would've put quite the damper on a snowboarding vacation.
Particularly since they all belonged to...guess who?
My two sons!