Ask, and the Airline May Give: The Missing Luggage

Ask nicely and it may be done.

Missing something? It may not be too late after all. Airways can be nice, and - if not holding a flight, not rushing the door shut either.

Here, we were suddenly missing the bigger carryon - that we put the two little carry-ons in, for the plane. Quick! Call the tour limousine driver on his way home. There it is, on the floor in the back, and with maps in it.

Fast - plane leaving, there the nice lady in the uniform runs, bag in hand, in quick, toss it back, out, shut the door and we're off. Air Canada, Hartford to Montreal, and then to Geneva. The lady said if we had huffed and insisted, they would not have gone out of their way. Manners, manners. Civility and calm. Works for effective legislators and hapless travelers. Thanks, Air Canada.

If you Russian doll-up the carry-ons, you end up with more useful sacks when we get there. Handy for junk in the trunk, and tucking away the foul weather gear and extras.