Airline fun...

Well, as promised, here are the details. Not that it is very exciting or anything, but I'll share the story so that my venting doesn't go unheard.

I specifically purchased a new trombone case that would fit in an overhead compartment. I've talked about that before. However, upon arriving at the airport in Lethbridge, I was still forced to check my horn. Mild panic sets in, but nothing too drastic.

Arrived in Calgary, and promptly found out my flight directly into Victoria was cancelled for some unknown reason. Our group was quickly rushed to a flight landing in Vancouver, and were told that they'd have it all sorted out for us when we came out the gate in Vancouver. Luggage was to be transferred without a problem. Mild panic maintains its level.

Arrived in Vancouver, and promptly found out that the people in Calgary didn't do their job, and no one in Vancouver had any fucking clue as to who we were and what we were doing there. The next flight to Victoria was sold out, so we were all placed on standby, and they were going to fit as many as they could on the upcoming flights. However, most of us (about 50 people) were not going to get there until about 5. Panic increases. When asked about luggage, there was not a problem in moving the luggage to follow us along, and actually it should arrive before the passengers did in Victoria. Panic subsides to lower levels.

After waiting through two flights, finally board at 4:30 for a 12 minute flight to Victoria. At the gate at 5:00, and promptly run to luggage area. Ask if any luggage from past flights is there. When told no, level of panic begins to increase. Conveyor starts to move with new luggage, and the longer the wait, the higher the panic level gets. Finally, all luggage is off, and no trombone. Upon asking at desk again, informed that they will keep looking for it, and will be delivered. Beg woman at desk to call right away so that the panic level can return to normal. Says she'll do what she can.

After several phone calls to the airport and to the Air Canada "Delayed Baggage" number, still no answers as to where the luggage is, or even which city is was last seen in. After asking for a number of people to call when the luggage was found, no phone call was received, and no knowledge of the whereabouts of my luggage was available until I did the calling and research. Luggage finally arrived at my door a full 24 hours after I landed in Victoria, and a 28 hours later than it was originally planned.

I lost the two extra days of preparation that I had hoped to get by coming back to Victoria. However, no damage to the horn, so I cannot complain that much.

Pics and new story coming about my weekend in Whistler, traveling 100 feet in the air on a steel cable between mountains!