Nice People Change Everything
If you travel (and maybe even if you don’t), eventually an airline loses your luggage. For reasons you can’t possibly foresee, or even imagine, sometimes it actually works out for the best.
I’d been hired to speak and sing for a school group (teachers, counselors, administrators) in Alamosa Colorado. The gig was at 8 AM on a Thursday, so I left Kansas City the morning before, on a United flight through Denver, connecting on United Express to Alamosa.
After we landed in Denver I hiked the four miles or so through the airport over to the United Express gates. When I got there, I was informed my flight had been canceled, due to low passenger count. I’d been rebooked on the next flight, at 8 PM, seven hours later.
No big deal, I thought. I have my laptop, I can work in the airport. There’s a good French restaurant I can visit for dinner, and I’ll still get to bed at a decent hour.
When 8 PM approached I hiked the six miles back to United Express. This area is the ugly stepchild of the airport. It’s a long, narrow hallway with a hundred little gates, no food, and very little seating. You exit the gate directly onto the tarmac and board the plane via an outdoor stair ramp, just like in the old days before jetways.
I was shocked — shocked! — to learn my second flight had been canceled, due to low passenger count. (Why was nobody flying this airline?) The next flight to Alamosa was not till 9 AM the next day. I asked the gate agent how I was supposed to get there in time for my 8 AM gig. She told me — and I swear this is true — they had booked me on a night flight to Farmington that would detour through Alamosa to let me off. This strained all credulity, and I pressed her several times to make sure she wasn’t making it up. I even asked the pilot. Turns out she was telling the truth.
I stood there at the doorway watching the baggage being loaded for my plane, wondering if I would need a parachute to get off at Alamosa, or if they would actually land on the ground. From the window I could see the plane, the pilot, and the baggage loaders with their carts. What I did not see was any of my luggage. My guitar travels in a large, white, ultra-strong, specially made case that baggage handlers have yet to destroy. It’s sturdy, and my guitar is relatively safe inside it. Being white, it’s easily identifiable, even from a distance.
It was nowhere in sight.
I let the United Express gate agent know about this, and she assured me my gear was on the plane. I asked how she could be certain, and she said because it had to be. This is like saying the world has to be flat because it looks like it. I had to see for myself. I insisted. She resisted. I persisted. Finally she let me out onto the tarmac and I quizzed the baggage handlers (who were nice guys) about my large white guitar case and black suitcase. They had not seen anything like them, and they definitely were not on the plane.
Rushing back to the gate in a heightened state of tension, I asked the gate agent to please find my luggage. She frowned and replied there was nothing she could do. I suggested she could surely, at the very least, check with United to find out if my bags had ever arrived from KC. For some reason this extra bit of work in the form of one phone call annoyed her, and she refused to do it.
But a traveler whose back is against the wall. whose valuable and dearly beloved guitar has disappeared, is a desperate, determined person. I was undeterrable. Finally she agreed to make the call. My luggage had, in fact landed in Denver with me, several hours ago. But they couldn’t exactly say where it was at the current moment.
By now my plane to Farmington (with an unscheduled stop in Alamosa) was boarding. The pilot told me they were leaving, and I had to either get on, or say bye bye.
With only a minute to decide, I discerned that arriving in Alamosa without my clothes and guitar would be embarrassing, not to mention pointless. I told the pilot I was staying. I had to find out what happened to my stuff.
So the search began.
I hiked the ten miles back up to the civilized part of the airport and found the United counter. The people there were friendly, understood the problem, agreed my baggage had to be there somewhere, and they would find it. They sent out a three member search party, equipped with detailed instructions, flashlights, walkie-talkies, and what looked like survival gear. After an hour, they came back empty handed. No luck.
But it had to be somewhere! They sent out another search party. Different people this time. Maybe with better eyeglasses. Down into the bowels of the airport. But the result was the same. No luggage.
They were apologetic. They were certain my luggage was somewhere in the airport. They suspected it was locked up in storage someplace, and would definitely be found in the morning. They would make sure it was on the first plane to Alamosa.
This, of course, was no help whatsoever. I told them my gig started an hour before the first flight even left Denver. They were sorry, and they meant it, but there was nothing more they could do.
At this point, all seemed lost. It was midnight, I’d been stuck in Denver for 12 hours, and my guitar was somewhere in Neverland. Possibly Peter Pan and Tinkerbell were playing it. My gig started in a mere 8 hours.
My client had booked me into a hotel in Alamosa, so I called the hotel. A pleasant young woman answered. Yes, she had my reservation. No, nobody had asked about me. Not even the people who were supposed to pick me up at the Alamosa airport many hours ago. That felt weird.
I let that go for the moment, and explained that I was the speaker/musician booked for the meeting the next morning. Yes, she saw that meeting on the next day’s schedule. I told her I was stuck in Denver, the airlines had lost my guitar, and there was no way I could do the gig without it.
“So if you had a guitar you could do the gig?” she asked.
“Yes,” I said. “but there’s no way to get one by then.”
“My boyfriend will lend you his guitar,” she said.
“That’s very kind, but you don’t understand. I need a good guitar to put on this kind of show.”
“He has a good one. He’s a professional musician.”
“But he won’t want to lend it to a complete stranger. He doesn’t know me from Adam.”
“Oh, he’ll lend it to you.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’ll tell him to.”
“He’ll do it because you tell him to?”
“Yes.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No.”
“He must really like you.”
“He does.”
“Maybe you should call him first and ask.”
“I can’t reach him now, but I’ll call him in the morning. He’ll bring his guitar by 8 AM.”
“Because you tell him to.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re sure you want to do this?”
“You’re a musician. My boyfriend’s a musician. We have to stick together.”
How could I say no to such generosity? I had no choice but to believe her.
Incredibly, the car rental counter was still open at midnight. I rented a car and drove to Alamosa. Five hours later, at 5:30 AM, I stumbled into the hotel lobby. The same lovely girl was still on duty. She gave me a big smile, a room key, a bag of toiletries, and said she’d arranged a wake-up call for 7 AM.
“Have a nice nap!” she said.
I slept for an hour, got up, showered, and shaved with the razor she’d given me. (Travel Tip: When one normally shaves with an electric shaver, one’s face isn’t used to a blade, and one’s skin cuts easily — like a steak knife through tofu.) I nicked my face in four places. I stuck toilet paper on it to staunch the bleeding.
It was August. I was traveling in shorts, a t-shirt, socks, and tennis shoes. (Travel Tip: Never do that.) All I had to wear were those same dirty, grubby clothes. This is gonna be great, I thought.
Sure enough, she and her boyfriend were in the lobby waiting for me, with a good guitar in a nice case. Her boyfriend seemed not at all worried about his instrument, and they told me to leave it at the desk when I was finished. So trusting.
I picked up the guitar and found the meeting room. A hundred or so school professionals were milling around, chatting, drinking coffee. The people who had hired me introduced themselves, as if nothing was remotely strange about me not having arrived on my appointed flight the day before, and showing up this morning with cuts all over my face, dressed like a yard worker.
I explained everything that had happened. They were amazed and delighted. Amazed at what I’d been through to get there, and delighted I even showed up. So far so good, I thought.
But the sound system I had requested was not there. Instead, all they had was a cheap microphone on a podium. You can’t play a guitar behind a podium because it blocks the view, it blocks the sound, and you’d have to have a neck like a giraffe to even reach the mic. I explained this, and they quickly came up with a plan to get a real sound system. Evidently somebody had one at home.
While we waited for that to appear, I chatted with folks and got a feel for the group. They all seemed to be in a good mood and ready for some fun. I wonder if this might actually work out, I thought.
The sound system arrived, they set it up, I plugged in, and it worked fine. We began the program an hour late, with me looking like a refugee from Camp Learn-To-Shave.
It turned out to be one of the most enjoyable gigs I’ve done. I played some appropriate songs, and wove my story of the past 24 hours into the show. It fit right into my message that we can’t control everything, stuff happens, so we have to make the best of it and try to have fun anyway. I was living proof of the point, plus they all thought it was funny, so it worked out well.
Toward the end of the program, I let the audience know I had to make my noon flight from Alamosa back to KC. I couldn’t miss it because I had a performance there the next day. So someone was needed to drive the car back to Denver for me and turn it in. Amazingly, three people — three! — volunteered.
Other helpful folks drove me to the tiny Alamosa airport just in time to see the plane land that would take me to Denver. I watched it taxi to a stop on the tarmac. As they unloaded the baggage, my beautiful white guitar case, along with my suitcase, emerged from the belly of the plane. I grabbed the gate agent (a nice one this time) and let her know it was my late luggage arriving. I asked her to please tag it quickly so I could get it on the plane home with me. She was happy to do it.
I watched them load it onto the plane, just to make sure. I wasn’t taking any chances.
I slept all the way to Denver, walked the fifteen miles back to the good part of the airport to change planes, then slept all the way to KC.
When I got to the baggage claim In Kansas City, my guitar and suitcase were…..missing.
They’d lost them again.
Postscript:
- United delivered my bags later that night, in time for the gig in KC. They blamed the lost luggage on United Express.
- I wrote a letter to the hotel management prasing their night clerk, and suggested she was excellent management material.
- I avoid United Express whenever possible.
© 2010 Greg Tamblyn
July 5th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Oh Greg….I wish I could say “only you” but then that whole “United breaks guitars” viral youtube video by our very own Dave Carroll from Nova Scotia is there to back you up, presuming that United Express and United are one in the same? I love how you made the best of a bad situation though …. keep on making us LAFF! :0)
July 5th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Thanks Sandy. Yep, I thought about Dave Carroll when I was writing this.
It’s my understanding that United and United Express are different airlines, at least technically. I think the way it works is most of the majors contract with these small commuter airlines, and then the small commuter airlines operate under one or more names…
(Correct me if I’m wrong…)
July 5th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Greg, what a story! I’m sorry I didn’t know about the situation or I would have driven up to Denver from Colorado Springs and found a way to provide you some company (if desired) during your long delay on the way out…
July 5th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Yes, Greg, we have NO control! I’ve come to embrace that one on many occasion. Like the time I had a week long tour in Italy with one of the wealthiest couples on the planet and the flight I took from Scotland to Rome disappeared my luggage. Forget making a good impression!
It would have been OK if it hadn’t been promised to me for 5 consecutive days. Apparently, in Italy, luggage is meant to sit in an office until someone thinks they should deliver it. By the 5th day, when it was returned to me, I’d replaced most everything I needed and gratefully accepted a ride home on my guests’ Lear jet.
Buon viaggi,
Cheryl
July 5th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Greg, Your story made me laugh, thanks for sharing it. I’ve lost my luggage twice on flights, but always when I was headed home….so I was saved having to lug it all over and it was delivered right to my door. Oops….I just remembered another time when I was on a tryout for a church, but again they delivered it to the people’s home where I was staying pretty quickly before I had my interviews. I expect a song will be written about this experience soon….LOL. Love you, Cindy
July 5th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Dear Master Storyteller,
You continue to bring my face to a grin — thank you.
Your unique blend of magic and Beingness is the elixir that goes down easy and provides instant results; Joy!
Rock on,
Kimberly
July 5th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Ah, the lost luggage saga. I once lost my luggage when I went to Europe. I had one red dress that I washed so much it was pink by the time my luggage showed up 6 weeks later.
July 5th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Greg – I loved this story! Sh** happens to everyone; you showed that you can get through it and not lose your sense of humor – or your cool. Thanks for the great read!
July 5th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Howdy Greg I could not help laughing at the article why! because I know you and have seen how TRP you are about such a situation and to even weave it into a story line to one of your hilarious tunes make it just one of those things. I have been in your situation more than once most recently going to Ohio had a flight cancelled and the one I got booked couldn’t take me in for some unknown reason and when I finally got booked I knew my luggage will not arrive with me so when I finally touched down and could not locate my bag I just coolly filed my complaint and left. Trusting them to deliver it a day or two later. Such is the new approach coz in the past I just went mad and it did not improve my situation. It is my only hope and prayer that we have more people like the lady at the hotel who helped you in airports some great change would take place. May she and he boyfriend be blessed. You keep playing my bro we love your music it’s a shoot out any time with Greg
July 5th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Dear Greg,
I fly frequently and have only had my luggage lost twice….both times with United. I know others who will say the same thing. Now that United and Continental have merged, the question is whether United will get better or Continental will decline. I just flew through Denver on United to the East coast and everything went smoothly…..but I didn’t check a bag.
July 5th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Greg as a fellow Speaker and hiker of our National Airports, let me just say I’m familiar with that exact same dark corridor you mentioned in the Denver Airport. Scary. And thanks for sharing one of the best “can’t-get-to-the-gig-on-time nightmares” I’ve yet to hear. (Even though your gift for prose and technicolor detail has pretty much insured that it will now haunt ME for years to come.) Good work Brother. Peace and Grace. RF
July 5th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Greg, what a story. You seem to have found a nice balance between accepting what’s beyond your control and standing up for what’s not right. I guess that’s what the Serenity Prayer is all about.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Amen!
July 5th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Hi Greg!
I’ve travelled a lot too and one thing I’ve learned is that my baggage (I am down to one or two carry ons) go with me! I can’t tell you how many times I have saved myself and the airline a lot of grief!
I LIke the way you tell a story—-your walk gently increased to fifteen miles by the end of the story! Ha!
I am glad that all worked out well and isn’t it nice to deal with good people–they make this planet truly a great place to live—–and I try to be one of them!
Thanks for the humour as always, Van
July 5th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
You had me ROFLMAO, I love your stories and presentation! i have had a few similar experiences, therefore motor homes are looking better and better to me all the time — I am dreaming about the Airstream Westphalia, a lovely thing!
July 5th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Greg,
Having worked in the airline industry for 16 years before I was mercifully fired, this story does not surprise me. And having three people volunteer to drive your rental car back to Denver didn’t surprise me either. You have that effect of people. So keep traveling, keep telling stories, and keep sharing the light.
And you are right: United Express could be any number of small carriers who operate independently as part of United. I don’t know how that works, but neither no the airline execs. They really are just making stuff up.
July 5th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Greg,
You w/o your guitar is like Liberace w/o his piano. Well, .. you know what I mean. : )
Great story. I felt your pain throughout and I admire your tenacity in not letting the circumstances and people defeat you. I would have been so stressed.
Just remembering all those details is impressive. You did a terrific job of retelling it with humor. I know Alamosa CO. It’s not a destination but a place to pass through on the way west to the beautiful San Juan mountains or to the east to the Great Sand Dunes. Still, it’s a reminder that there are good people everywhere. There is something very life affirming about that., as there is about your positive attitude. Thank you for sharing. I will pass this along. – Jeff
p.s. It speaks highly of the school system there that wanted you as their motivational speaker. I’d be willing to bet you it was one of the best presentations you’ve ever made, in spite of your lack of sleep and all the long building emotional frustration.
July 5th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Hey Greg!
Great story, great outcome, great reminder to stay as calm as possible, to stay open to the kind of small miracle you enjoyed , and …oh yes, to stay away from United Express … but not from United Airlines! Please read on.
Although my story isn’t one of lost luggage, it is about air travel and how what seems the worst can turn out to be the best. When Phil and I were leaving on our first trip to India to check out the work of Trees for Life first hand, we waved goodbye to our friends who had brought us to the Wichita airport, walked up to the United (yes!) counter to check in, only to find that our flight to Chicago (which would then lead us to London and on to New Delhi) had been cancelled due to one of the worst snow storms in 100 years. The nice ticket agent, seeing our total disappointment, told us to go home while she figured out an alternative route. Well, we had just sold our home, so we called our friends to come back and get us! Later that evening we boarded a flight that got us to Washington, D.C., also in the midst of the same terrible storm, about midnight.
Without coats (who needs them in India?), we made our way with the too much luggage, which we hadn’t expected to see until New Delhi, to a hotel. The next morning it looked doubtful we would even find a cab willing to drive in all that snow to the airport. But we did.
And when we finally boarded our flight to London, we found ourselves being offered champagne, rack of lamb and Godiva chocolates in our reclining Concierge Class seats! The nice United ticket agent back in Wichita had felt sorry for us and made sure we got upgraded … all the way to New Delhi … on United! Not a bad outcome for two new full-time volunteers.
Blessings!
Kathy
July 5th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
You met some wonderful angels that day, Greg.
July 5th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
What an amazing horror story and proof that all can be well anyway. Reminds me of the time I arrived in the northeast midwinter, in far below freezing weather, having put my winter coat in my suitcase, which arrived 4 days later. Brrr! Or the time my purse was stolen off the Wash DC metro, and the people who stole it and took the money were kind enough to answer my cell phone and tell me where they were leaving the carcass.
Normal people have no idea what we travelers go through.
Thanks!
Anodea Judith
July 5th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Greg,
As always, dear friend, you make me laugh and you make me cry. You not only see the humor in things; you see the great beauty and the love in people.
Thankfully, I have not had an experience quite as complicated as yours. I HAVE had luggage that couldn’t be found for 4 days – in Palm Springs, no less,where appearance seems to matter. I went to WalMart and bought 4 pair of satin pj pants and 6 white tube tops, all for just $30, and just ‘held my head high’. Same trip, leaving there, I spent almost 12 hours in Orange County Airport, being sent from gate to gate only to be told ‘no plane available’, trying to get a flight home to Asheville. During that time I couldn’t use the restroom because I couldn’t check my luggage and I couldn’t leave it with anyone because of security. Great fun !!
July 5th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Hey Greg,
I love how you can take any bad situation and find the good and bring your great sense if humor to it. We could have used that sense of humor a couple of years ago in miami.Larry and I were returning home from saint Martin and of course the plane was late in landing and of course customs was a total nightmare. We stood in line for 30 minutes just to get to the head of the line for the agent to close his window to leave for dinner. Then after we got in back of the line next to us and waited another 30 minutes he came back and reopened. We made it through customs and dragged 6 large bags to be rechecked just to find of course our gate was in a different building at the last gate in that building. Larry and I did a speed walk to the gate only to find one agent behind the desk who informed us the gate had been changed to guess where? Yep you guessed it back where we had started. Now with 20 minutes before the plane left Larry and I were running through the airport like OJ Simpson inthose old comercials. We were flying on a buddy pass on American airlines who insisted we take them because we had done her a favor. Anyway we arrived breathless at the right gate as the last few passengers were boarding and gave our boarding passes to the agent. He took one look at Larry(who was dressed in a very nice pair of shorts and Tommy bahama shirt and sandals and told him he could not board the plane. It was now 10 pm at nite and we wre hot and tired and had blisters from running and we just stood there and said “come again?” thinking we could not have possibly heard him correctly. He replyed that the person who had given the buddy passes to us was going to be written up as she had not informed us of the very strict dress policy when flying. Mind you we had already flown from Raleigh to Miami to St.Martin and back from St.Martin to Miami dressed like this with no problem. He told us that Larry had to have long pants and shoes to be able to board or he could not get on the plane so we asked him to remove our luggage from the plane, which he refused. The reason we were late going through customs was because the airplane in the gate our plane had to have all the luggage removed to find and remove suitcases that were on the plane because the passengers who belonged to the luggage did not get on the plane. Yet here was our plane leaving Miami with our luggage without us. This is where I wish I can say we had your sense of humor,Greg. I think I actually stood ther in tears as the plane took off without us and probably as we had to get a taxi,find a hotel and then the next morning buy a pair of pants for Larry at the airport(which all ended up costing us a lot more than the savings from flying with a buddy pass) just to get home. We did learn one thing though if anyone ever wants to give you a buddy pass just say no. Oh and talking about the kindness of people, when we were left in Miami I called a friend of mine I was going to meet the next morning to let her know I was going to be late and she drove out to the airport in Raleigh at midnight to retrieve our luggage and was there waiting for us when we came home the next morning.
July 5th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
After reading this brilliant presentation of yet another “GT event”, and remembering your time with Atilla the gate agent (in Hawaii, I beleive?), I am now convinced that in a previous life you were once a ruthless gate agent that had it out for traveling musicians and now you are collecting the karmic payback!
Seriously, you continue to amaze me with all of your adventures and turning them into experiences we can laugh, cry and admire.
Thanks, Greg.
July 5th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Wouldn’t it be nice if you had a good attorney.
July 5th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
How can I help but smile and laugh. What else can one do other than let go? So that thing about we meet ourselves in every trying situation, does that fit in this scenario? I find myself in you and you are here in me. Oh how glorious it is to meet you again my friend.
July 5th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Oh Greg, this was a serious series of blunders by the airlines! You need to continue to write letters to let them so they will know all of the mistakes that they made in an effort to help them eliminate errors like this in the future.
I enjoyed reading the lighter side of the story and appreciate your sense of humor throughout the whole ordeal. It is obvious that you are committed to your clients and did everything possible to honor your engagement.
I’m wondering if there is anyway you can have a at your fingertips a website or two with people you can contact in various cities where you singing that may be able to be your backup supplier of professional guitars. Perhaps there is a listing of music stores, professional musician agents and others that would come to your aid should another emergency like this exist.
Thanks for sharing your funny story with me!
Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D.
Fellow professional speaker
July 5th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Hey Rosemarie, thanks for the suggestion. There are in fact music stores almost everywhere, and most of them will rent a guitar out in an emergency like this.
But the thing about this is it was the middle of the night and time was short!
That’s what made it so amazing. To me, anyway…
July 5th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
hey Greg,
nice story… it is the fun of traveling. you should have called us. it is joey and karla from the santa fe sound conference and Snowlion energy school.. we live in taos, alamosa is close.. we could have picked u up at the airport and delivered you… this is a nice place, so is alamosa.. we have many friends who play professionally, and yes they would have leant u a guitar, not cause they are our boyfriends,lol. but cause we know them and we know you and that is good enough around here. what i am most curious about is why you were needing a guitar and not drums.
blessings
joey
July 5th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Oh Biy, Greg, this is so much fun! I admire the humor, your persistence, all the long walks and adventures; and best of all, how clear it is that nice people change everything! As the Dalai Lama said, “Kindness is my religion” and you found lots and lots of kindness,
Great Love,
Pat
July 5th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
PS next time use american express and get trip insurance..
10 buck charge per flight, if luggage is lost more than 4 hrs. they buy you up to $500.00 in clothing… you could have shopped in denver…
love and light
joey
July 5th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Wow, what a story. After I read it I had to go take a nap.
Seriously, I’m most amazed at your persistence without losing your cool. In the face of so many mishaps, I’d probably had been in tears.
But, really, it’s unexpected kindness that brings a tear most easily. Happy for you that you got your guitar back. Time to watch “Lost Horizon” again.
July 5th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
What a story…..but what a lot of angels showed up! I am also fairly certain there is a song waiting to be born out of all that missed connection energy…..something about Mercury in retrograde and planets un-aligned and angels who put wings on guitars so they can fly back to their rightful players….Blessings on your journey….with note to self—do not fly United Express….
Deb
July 5th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Greg — WHAT a story!! Thanks for sharing it in such a vivid fashion. Knowing you, I’m sure there’s a great song lurking somewhere within this adventure just waiting to be sung that will teach us all to take life’s frustrating experiences a little less seriously!
July 5th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
So, this story is your next song right ? Your updated version of ” Alice’s Resturant” ? Gratefully, I have never lost luggage, but it is one of my top fears. I just have to remember that most everything is replaceable, in your case, not. I do remember on trip to Europe I was on where another couple (she was an attorney, no less) found out at 1:30 AM in Zurich, that not only had their luggage been lost, later to be found, all that was left of the luggage was a shredded side panel, which (of course) the airline did not have to explain as they sent the bag of remains via courier. The couple ended up having to START their trip by fully purchasing new luggage, new clothes and sundries (shampoo, toothpaste, etc) as well as birthday gifts that had been destroyed. So, Greg dear, while I don’t envy your journey, consider yourself lucky.
July 5th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
You always crack me up! I had tears rolling down my face.It’s a really good story.
July 5th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Greg,
You certainly did practice what you preached. What a horror story, handled with such grace.
My son is a commuter pilot. You’re right about how that works. The major airlines contract with other small airline companies who paint the major airline’s logo on their planes and operate under the other company’s name. They are, in fact, a separate entity.
I trust your subsequent trips have been less troublesome.
Wish I were going to Europe with you this fall. It sounds like it will be delightful (hopefully, everyone will have their luggage).
July 5th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Greg — That’s why I refer to UAL as “UNTIED” Airlines. But, apparently from what you’ve written, Untied Express does it even faster!
Cheers
July 5th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Dear Greg,
What a story! Your adventures always break me up — laughter, tears, whichever in the moment.
I think I saw your luggage go by in Phoenix, though . . . maybe that’s why they couldn’t find it in Denver. I was in a long and agitated line when a big white case really did go by. It looked like it might have also contained a body or two, maybe of some gnarly gate agents.
Keep on writing and adventuring!
Pam
July 5th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Like attracts like. You are a living expression of kindness….not just in your lyrics but also in your life. I admire you for that most of all…..
How beautiful a day can be…when kindness touches it!
~ George Elliston
July 5th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Hey Greg! Thanks for sharing your experience with such vibrant pain! : ) As Kimberly so perfectly put it: “Your unique blend of magic and Beingness is the elixir that goes down easy and provides instant results; Joy!” ‘Wish I were going with you this fall, too! With Love and All Blessings, Diana
July 5th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
your story illustrates why i’d rather drive 3,000 miles than fly 300 miles. i’ve also learned to keep my baggage down to one “awol bag”, (older ex-g.i.s will know what that is.) i once got the “no seat” hassle in phoenix arizona, and yes, it might have been united, i just went over to the continental counter and asked them to interline my ticket and got a plane to boston. it does help to know something about the transportation business from my truck and bus driving days.
July 5th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
You are a blessing man! Hey, good name for a song huh? “Blessing man”……
seriously, i loved the story Greg……an incredible recounting….and the beautiful awareness booster about not being in control……..i personally needed to hear that tonight……thank you blessing man.
continued blessings on you, walk in grace.
Bob in Georgia
July 5th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
and one more thought: your story is truly one that helps answer Einstein’s question about whether it is a friendly universe….still smiling from your story greg!
bob
July 5th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
I saw on 60 Minutes that they pay the pilots on regional airlines less than a full-time clerk at a convenience store. Imagine how little they must pay the gate agents.
July 5th, 2010 at 11:51 pm
Yes, Greg, nice people do change everything, and they are a joy to be around. Thanks for sending this my way. It’s a highlight to my day. I hope your story ends up in one of your songs. You’re a good man, Mr. T.
Here’s a quote from Japanese author Keiko Takahashi that I use in my novel-in-progress about a Tokyo artist (fictional), Seiji Matsuda: “Live within the light of love and compassion, and transmit that light to others.†Can’t go too wrong with that, can we.
Warmest regards,
George
July 5th, 2010 at 11:53 pm
these things, these trials, make you a better man! I can see it as I read it! Right on Greg! and always believe the best path will open for you in the end! Thanks for the great fun in my ears over the years!
July 6th, 2010 at 7:44 am
Love, love, love this story! It made me laugh and reminded me to make the best of it when things seem to go out of control. (Still working on the illusion of control obviously!)
Keep writing, teaching and making us laugh!
Marcia
July 6th, 2010 at 10:14 am
As a neophyte airline traveler, your story is the kind that makes me feel it is more fun to stay and enjoy my home and beautiful state of Maine…less hassles. Also why, on my few airline travels, I take a carry-on which has a change of clothes and a few other necessities in case my luggage gets lost. Your story, however, is a great reminder to keep your cool and figure out how to deal with the situation as best you can, keeping your sense of humor; Because in the larger scale of things that can happen to you in life, this is minor. And it is always wonderful to find out there are a lot of wonderful people in our world ready to help! That desk clerk was a treasure!
July 6th, 2010 at 11:53 am
OMG–not again! OK–so here is what you do! Buy a ticket for the guitar case, strap him in on the seat next to you, paint a face on said case and introduce him to everone you meet as your business partner. Your guitar will arrive when you do and all of the airline staff will treat you as if you are a very fragile 6 year old—it’s a win win!
July 6th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
I thought a replacement guitar was in the offing. Thanks for the travel tip! Anyone take photos of the gig? Boy, those generous, sane, helpful people in the world are all waiting around some corner, aren’t they?
July 6th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Hey Greg:
Valorie here from Unity Christ Church of Bon Air. What a great story! Sorry it happened though. I recently went from RIC to Monterey. I flew Delta out and United back. Every leg of my trip out, I was greeted by smiling Delta attendants who willingly put my guitar in the first class closet.
On the way back, United in L.A. told me that I could not gate check my guitar, that it isn’t how they do things. It was the largest plane I had flown on the trip. I very reluctantly turned her over to them with a silent prayer. She made it back to RIC in one piece! I guess your experience made a great story and lesson for your gig.
Keep on ,
July 6th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Watery eyed and goose bumped, I applaud your persistence; respect your skepticism about the loaner guitar; and virtual hug the ‘stick together musician’s girlfriend at the counter.
You’ve actually demonstrated that the reward is in the process, not the end result. I think I might travel more after hearing this story.
July 6th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Greg,
Thanks for sending this story. The other thing that happens when these kind of things happen is that you meet people that you might not have paid attention to, and you both change each others lives somehow…ie the hotel clerk.
When people get upset about waiting in line, I always think, there is a reason that you are waiting, for example, waiting might have avoided a car accident. …or maybe someone in that line might need to meet you…..etc. etc….
I love this story, thanks for sending it.
July 6th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Very very funny, Greg…what I have come to always expect from you! Those ‘Express’ airlines are all challenging! Having been a pilot with one such airline (NOT United Express) I have made the multi-mile trek in terminals many times as well. I’ve also had the unfortunate thrill of being in long lines behind the big guys waiting in line for take off, after taking off held at low altitudes passed by all other (faster) planes and then during the final stages of flight rushed into sequence on final approach…pretty much peddling as fast as we could in order to not get run over by the big guys again!
Travelling the airlines is not the fun passtime it used to be when the food and movies used to be fairly descent! Thanks for doing it, however, so that you come to our cities to entertain us!!
July 7th, 2010 at 6:01 am
Greg,
My worst “missing guitar” story was the result of me driving across town from the Fort Worth area, where I stayed with my mom, to Dallas for an 8:00 a.m. program and realizing I DIDN’T PUT MY GUITAR IN THE CAR. I wish I could say this was the only time I arrived somewhere without my guitar and had no one to blame but myself. Not once but TWICE I have arrived at the Nashville airport to fly to a gig without my guitar. Fortunately, in both cases, I’d left enough time before the flight for the person who was going to drop me off to race back to my house, get the guitar, and make it back to the airport with both of us enduring only 50 minutes of stress.
I so admire that you didn’t blow off the gig and blame the airline, even though it meant you had to drive all night.
What a great storyteller you are! Camp Learn to Shave! Travel Tip: Don’t do this! Search parties! Such great use of language. Really enjoyed it, and it’s amazing that 54 people so far, care enough about you to write comments. Including me. Love it.
Jana
July 7th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Very enjoyable story
Well told …
July 7th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
LOVE your fun, zenlike (mostly) way of dealing with all the twists and turns of this story. It is so true that one nice person can absolutely reestablish your faith in the species in these kinds of situations! Good to be reminded that every positive act reverberates throughout the universe and can counteract a hundred negatives ones…and ya just gotta laugh no matter what!
July 7th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Greg, what a great yarn! Thanks a million for the great story, and the reminder that you “never know”
Wink’s ‘n grins,
Megon
July 7th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Greg Tamblyn, you’re my hero!!! : )
July 9th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Wow, Greg! After reading a couple of sentences, I realized that you were talking about a gig I booked for you. I knew you had some challenges, but you certainly went beyond the call of duty! Great story!
Hugs,
Wanda
July 9th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Maybe United doesn’t break guitars anymore – but they pay people to loose them! Glad it worked out.
July 10th, 2010 at 2:54 am
Greg… I empathize. My case costs more than my axe. and I know that a booked flight that is cancelled is a guaranteed refund (failure to deliver a contract). I would have rented the car and enjoyed the pristine wilderness known as the Rockies. 285 from Denver to a nicer ride in the daylight than the dark.
Oh, and feel lucky buddy, Delta Airlines lost my BROTHER from Washington DC to Tampa on a direct flight. My other brother put Mike on the plane and he did not appear after landing. Imagine the panic of losing a ten year old.
After a frantic half hour, the pilot steps out of the cockpit … with a trainee. Mike. ~S~ Oh.. BTW Mike flies F-14′s off the USS Nimitz now, just because a busy pilot remembered what it was like when HE was a kid with a dream.
Thanks for the laugh! Sorry for the headaches. Might consider FEDEXing your gear… they never lose anything.
July 12th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Awesome story Greg. People in small towns are like this. Us city folks have lost something!
July 19th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Greg – Only you could make this funny and transform such a crazy making time into one of hilarity The wonderful world of traveling is compost for many stories these days. I had a similar situation making my usual textbook flight from KC to Denver. 24 hours later finally got home. Big lesson regardless of the airline: We are not in control and nice people are everywhere.
July 20th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
The hotel clerk was the HERO, and her boyfriend an absolute angel. Thanks for sharing the story. If I ever have to fly United Express I will make sure I only have a carry-on.
August 3rd, 2010 at 1:52 pm
As a Storyteller who LOVES stories & one who believes that WE make our WORLD–I LOVE this–got it thanks to my friend Marie Finamore (props!) & am SHARING it today on my Zeeva the Art of Wellness FB Page: http://tinyurl.com/21stCenturyWellness Today I’m focusing on the POWER of KINDNESS to be WELL! THANKS Greg! LOVE Zeeva®
August 4th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Since the performance was so well received and the ordeal no doubt endeared you even more to the audience… maybe you could make that part of the act–every time. Whadaya think?
By the way, I hope you shared this post with the young woman & her trusting boyfriend. They truly rock.
November 11th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Ahhhh, yet another symptom of the collapse of the old systems of control. Great tale, Greg, and I hold you in awe for your ability to set these things up so beautifully! Certainly reflects on your ability to go with the flow… and there’s only the flow…, which reminds me that the indigenous people of the world are ready to teach us their ways of going with that flow.
Ever read Evan Pritchard’s “No Word for Time”? Micmac wisdom.
Goodonya, Human!
July 5th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Hi Greg – Great story…a wonderful opportunity for you to get to “walk the talk” and share that practice with educators! In my speaking and performing the country with my comedy show, THE SIX AGES OF WOMAN, I’ve had my luggage lost, found my performance space was in backof pillars, and had to duct tape a broken Radio Shack mic to a flag stand and other such conditions. The last few airline trips were so hectic with security regarding my prop bag, I finally bought a fuel efficient SUV to pack my set and props and decided unless the location is impossibly far away (more than 15 hours) I’d rather drive myself. Keep sharing your stories – always a pleasure