Left Alone On the Tarmac

We flew into Dallas-Fort Worth today on our way home from visiting family on Maui. I like the window seat for the plain fact that on a clear day you can see forever. Wait! Isn't that a song? Today wasn't clear, but I still enjoyed watching out the window as we came in for our landing, enjoying the overhead view of miniature buildings, trees, highways, cars as the plane eased lower and lower until touchdown.

We had to wait for the previous flight to exit the gate. That took maybe ten minutes. Then it was our turn. Our plane taxied up to the gate and as we moved into our spot, I looked out the window and saw this lone suitcase sitting out on the tarmac. (I don't suppose they still call it that but I like that word. Tarmac. Good word.)

See that luggage truck? He cruised up to the suitcase, stopped for a moment, then decided this was not his concern...or something to that effect. He left without even getting out of his truck. Two or three other luggage carriers cruised right on by without stopping.

We were in row 21. That means twenty rows (approx 120 passengers) had to rescue their bags from the overhead bins and stumble their way out of the plane before it was our turn to exit. As we left our seats to exit the plane I looked out the window one last time. The bag was still there...looking mighty lonesome...out there on the runway.

I wondered where that bag was headed? London? Chicago? New York?

I wonder what it contained? Business suit? Fancy dress? Necessary Shoes? Or perhaps, less interestingly, simply dirty laundry waiting to get home to be washed.

If you know someone who lost their suitcase today flying American Airlines, tell them to check the tarmac at Dallas-Fort Worth.

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