The many joys of increased security in Newark

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  Newark, New Jersey
Monday, February 14, 2005

After disembarking our "Barbie" plane as one of the stewards called it, we found ourselves in the lovely town of Newark, NJ. I rushed to the baggage claim to get my backpack, which is conveniently located outside of security. While waiting down by carrousel 7, David came down found me and said that it was in fact at the gate which I came through that I was suppose to pick up my bag.

So again, a frantic rush back into the airport terminal, not without, of course, getting undressed, explaining the massive amounts of bobby pins in my hair, sitting with one foot out and then the other, and being pat down by an airport employee. Then back up to the gate which by now no longer shows any sign of the flight I came from.

I approached the desk and asked a very unfriendly desk attendant if there were any bags left from this flight. Without looking up from her manicure, she asks if I am sure I got off from this gate. I handed her my ticket which she handed back without a glance. She managed to look up to ask the equally pleasant man next to her if there were any bags on the runway. He said no. She informs me that I should pick it up in baggage claim. So once again I am off to carrousel 7.

At this point I am beginning to be a bit nervous. Besides the fact that this was the one bag I had packed so that if every other bit of luggage was lost I would be okay (meaning it had all my toiletries, books, maps, and quite a bit of clothing) but I also had about 45 minutes before my flight to London left.

After several attempts at getting help from customer service (or customer disservice) and some official looking people I finally hear "miss, they found your bag, it's on it's way up." I am relieved and wait, AGAIN patiently at carrousel 7. But it's now that I hear my name paged over the loudspeaker to haul tail to my flight. The London flight was boarding early and leaving without me.

Of course, the only flight to not only leave on time but early is the one flight that I could have done with a delay. So I have to abandon my search and take off again for security. Sarah is waiting on the there side of the labyrinth (otherwise known as security) with all my carry-on. We take of in a slow waddle towards the gate, and we again hear now all three of our names paged. Luckily we made it in time and we were off to London, one bag lighter.

TIP OF THE TRAVELOGUE

Gate Checked Luggage: is, contrary to my previous beliefs, actually collected at the gate of the next place you land, and not at carrousel 7.

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