Tuesday, November 14, 2006

The Vegas Experience: Left Luggage

It's official, I am every travel company's worst nightmare. The very first post ever on this blog was about me missing a flight. Not to be outdone, my latest exploits stretched Eurostar customer service to breaking point but the good news is that they came through with flying colours. First of all, I turned up late for my train - with a non-exchangeable non-refundable ticket. Now I say late, but they've let me through later than that before, although 10 minutes before departure is probably cutting it a little fine. Anyway, they very kindly agreed to exchange my ticket at no extra cost. Of course, I get a little lecture, but I do my best wounded Rhino75 look (butch but vulnerable - patent pending) and all goes smoothly. Wonderful. So I check in again, go through passport control, customs, the baggage scans etc. Then - aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrggggggghhhhh. I'm JUST about to go through and get on the train when I realise I've left the Barbra tickets at HOME. Aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrgggggghhhhh. What a palaver. But they were troopers. Assured me that (other very stupid) people did this all the time. And took me back through immigration and exchanged my ticket for the second time in an hour in order to give me enough time to go home, pick up tickets while the taxi waited downstairs, and get back to the station. If that isn't service, I don't know what is. The good thing is that it happened on the leg when I was travelling alone. I know only too well from past experience that this kind of thing sends other people's stress levels through the roof, whereas I find it perfectly normal. Pray (I'm not joking!) that we make it to Gatwick on time tomorrow. Bons baisers de Londres.

9 comments:

Betty said...

This sounds like one of those dreams I have where I have to go back home halfway through my journey and face endless delays, then forget something else, then end up dithering and walking really slowly. It's always on the day of my Maths O-level exam though, even after all these years ...

Many happy returns for Saturday and enjoy Babs and Las Vegas.

Anonymous said...

Brother of mine!!! You wouldn't be starting off the holiday properly if you didn't miss something or forget something!!!! Glad all sorted now!!!! Have a fabulosa time!!!Sis. XXXXXXX

Anonymous said...

Rhino! You are way worse than I am and I didn't think that was possible! It's hard to imagine that when one knows you in real life, you seem to butch, vulnerable and reliable. Gee, now I'm going to be so worried, is he going to lose the tickets? Is he going to catch the wrong flight and end up in Blackpool instead of Vegas?

Anonymous said...

Now I know. It's official. You are one of those random quality control people working for the travel services industry. I too would love to scramble around flinging Barbra tickets under a toilet for a sunny day but you! You make it happen. Chapeau my love.

Big kisses from the asian Anna Wintour.

The Dog of Freetown said...

Excellent work. It helps keep Eurostar on their toes, this kind of thing. I'm not so sure Gatwick are so great when it comes to customer service. Just don't make any jokes about bombs. They can be so touchy sometimes.

Unknown said...

Yes, I do tend to agree with Keirnan, they just have no bomb sense of humor. Have a lovely time dear. Yes, you must patent the Butch Rhino look so others may benefit from it also. You know a worldly cause. Kisses!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday dear Rhino!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday one day late my dear Rhino! Hope Babs was fab! Looking forward to the detailed travel report. Many kisses.

Anonymous said...

How are you Rhino? No news is good news I assume. I just hope you didn't get too bolloxed and had the sudden urge to get married while in Vegas.
When are you coming back? Will you be in town next Sunday? Shall we go to that dodgy sing along bar? Plus, I just remembered that I owe you money...