We flew on a budget airline from Barcelona to London. It was only $245 for all five of us, including charges for our two checked bags. I remember feeling a bit of a rush when I booked it. Is this correct? Did I really just book a flight for less than $50 per person. I never even gave thought to the checked bags. How could there be a problem when we are just on a short direct flight? That thought went around and around in my head as we circled the baggage carousels at Gatwick after all the other passengers had left with their luggage.
We are traveling with two checked bags. One contains Brett and the boy’s things, the other has mine and Riley’s. When we were planning this trip we spent quite a while deliberating about whether we should have two big bags or several smaller carry-on bags. In the end, we decided two big bags would be more manageable since we can’t count on too much help from the kids. The risks of checking baggage hadn’t even crossed my mind.
The people working in the lost baggage office at Gatwick were less than helpful. They gave us out a printed report that confirmed that our bags are indeed lost and there was no record of where they were. They were very clear to explain to us that if we have any questions or need to contact them at all, we were to call the number on their report. They would be more than happy to help. They very carefully highlighted the phone number so we would be sure to remember. As it turns out, when I called to get an update later that day, there was a recording that tells you to call another number. I dutifully called the second number, remembering how reassuring the man was at the airport that they were there to help. The second number has a recording indicating that it has been disconnected. There was no way to contact them. I tried calling the airline and they insisted that I had to take this up with the numberless baggage service.
So there we were in London without even a single change of clothes (I usually pack a spare change for everyone in carry on but let my guard down on this flight). The first day we checked into our Airbnb just outside of London (which was fabulous) and went out and bought the essentials. Toiletries, underwear, socks, etc. Later that day we got a message that Brett’s bag had been found (but not mine). While we were grateful, this was not an ideal scenario. It would take me so much more effort and expense to replace my clothes than Brett and the boys. I hit a low that evening and actually felt like I wanted to go back home. I trusted everything I’d packed for this year-long adventure to a budget airline that I couldn’t even contact.
The next day we took the train into London to do some shopping for me and Riley. We have travel insurance that covers us for up to $150/day each for each day of baggage delay. Small consolation. I was mentally doing an inventory of all that I had lost. Everything that I brought had been so carefully selected for this trip. It takes a lot of effort to decide on what to pack for a trip this long. Lots of quick dry fabric, shoes that have several purposes, swim suits that I feel comfortable in, etc. I tried hard to keep perspective. I kept reminding myself that these are only things and that I am still on a great adventure, one that I should feel grateful for every day no matter what.
As we started shopping, I got a text from our Airbnb host to let us know that Brett’s bag had arrived and thankfully he attached a photo – my answer was prompt and brief ‘Oh My God!! Is that bag GREEN??. I’m sure he had no clue why I was surprised that it was green. You see, Brett and I had identical bags except his was black, mine…you guessed it, green! Such an overwhelming feeling of relief seeing that photo of my bag safe and sound. I wasn’t with Brett when I got the message. I tried so hard to suppress any sign of happiness as I approached him to tell him that my bag was found but his was still lost. I didn’t need to worry, he was relieved too, immediately realizing that he wouldn’t need to go shopping for a week with me to re-stock my wardrobe.
We were in a shopping mall when I got the text. We switched gears and went shopping for Brett and the boys. We went into an outdoor clothing shop and, I kid you not, Brett bought shorts and t-shirts that he liked better than his original clothes!! First store – done. We continued on and bought the boys some new clothes and made our way back to our place.
I’m so grateful to our Airbnb host for sending that photo. If he hadn’t done that, we would have spent the entire day buying clothes for me and Riley only to get back to the apartment to realize we had all of our things and the boys had nothing.
A few days later, after we had left London and were staying in the Cotswolds, our other bag was found and delivered to us. We are so grateful to have all of our things back. One very important decision has been made as a result of this – there will be no more checked baggage. There are too many things that are just too hard to replace to trust to checking it. Even if our luggage is eventually found, as it was this time, it still has a huge impact on our trip. Brett had never been to London before and our whole time there was tied up calling airlines, baggage handlers, insurance as well as shopping for essentials. So, this is it….3 carry on bags for 5 people for 1 year.
