Something you didn't already know (as if)

Chris and I did something we regret this Christmas. A thing we won't repeat, despite the season. Something we've talked about angrily, on numerous occasions, only to do it again. We flew Northwest Airlines.

Northwest Airlines, quite probably, is the worst airline currently in business. In a quick calculation, I recalled that the customer service agents are trained to be rude (am I being punk'd here?), their overhead bins nearly too cramped to accommodate even my winter coat, and that my luggage is lost an average of one in two times. This time is was our Christmas presents (a case of our favorite wine from California).

I watched the same bags dizzily go round and round on the baggage carousal. Blinking rapidly, I tried to click to the next slide, but any way I looked at it, my case of wine was still missing. Someone was having a VERY Merry Christmas, I fumed. Someone was laughing, uncorking that last bottle of champagne, throwing back a few hearty gulps and cheersing all around. Nice.

It's important here to note that our package did not exist. Though we had our baggage claim ticket, our box was never scanned into the almighty Northwest Airlines system so there was no way to track it should it decide to board any of the three other flights coming into St. Louis that day. Though my gut already knew, it wouldn't make it that day.

Angrily we shuttled to our rental car, and had a still (though somehow less) irritating experience with our Avis rental agent. In our defense, we were undercaffeinated, though you should know that if you're renting from Avis, be aware that they have a policy whereby if you drive less than 75 miles in one of their cars you must pay a fee of $13.99. Should you decide to return your car early, you'll incur astronomical penalty fees. Ah, how I digress...

We spent Christmas at Chris' parents like a couple of broke college students who didn't have the scratch to shop. We sat around the tree, opening up our presents. What they say is actually true, it is better to give than receive. There was no use in making excuses. Our presents were lost and we needed to come up with a new plan. About the only present we'd carried on was for the dog and though she's as cute as a bunny, it wasn't enough to make it OK.

Nine hours later, Chris placed a call to the Northwest "customer service" hotline. After thirty minutes or so on his good ear, Chris was able to break through to a live voice. What's-her-face scolded Chris for being upset that our Christmas presents were missing because this "just happened." She assured him that he would receive a call when (and if) they materialized and that the delivery company would bring the package to the Rutherford's. I get that NWA is using airport employees to scan the bags. I get that they get by with as little employees on staff as possible, which can make a person testy. I get that checking bags plane side speeds up the pace and frees up overhead bin space. As sad as it is, it seems that it's more cost effective to pay a delivery company to bring lost baggage all over town than to actually put it on the plane as the passenger is expecting all the while charging a "convenience fee" for checked bags. In case you hadn't guessed, neither of us will be giving a testimonial about how "convenient" this process was.

To my complete surprise (and it was a surprise since there was no phone call), our package finally arrived at the Rutherford's at 8:30 AM on the 26th, early given my past experience. I've worn the same clothes my entire vacation due to NWA efficiency. Good thing I had the presence of mind to pack some panties in my purse.

What was sandwiched in between was a blast. Truly, visiting with our friends and family, the reason we made the voyage, was absolutely worth it. We love you all. It was amazing to see all of your shining faces and spend some quality time with you be it over a beautiful Christmas meal, an Italian feast, over coffee and shortbread, blasting karaoke in the basement, or crawling through a pub. You guys rock. For serious.

Our NWA experience wouldn't be complete without sitting on the tarmac for no less than an hour (upon our arrival in Detroit), and fetching our plane checked bags carelessly thrown about the ramp. It's a good thing that our ride didn't leave us stranded. I can't say I would have blamed him.