Purgatorian Packing
Back in November, we talked about what we pack in our suitcases.
Flying out of Kuwait, however, hits me in my weakest spot. While I find life often unpredictable, and I have learned to roll with it and even to like it and to miss it when it is TOO predictable, I like predictability when I am flying.
Once again, I have gone online to discover that the reservation I thought I had has become a totally different reservation.
I am guessing the airline thought they were doing a frequent flyer a big favor, but here is what has happened. From an elegantly efficient flight with two comfortable connections, I now have a flight that has four very tight connections.
I have two problems – one is that I suspect my bags will not make it. I am guessing the change happened right about when I looked at the dress I wore to Doha (see Travel Karma Failure) and ended up wearing for four days in a row and thought “that held up pretty well, think I will wear that on my long flight back” and I am guessing it was at that very moment my reservations got changed.
I’m not superstitious, but I am wondering if that is a bad luck dress?
Second, I have an inter-Europe flight, and I am wondering if my carry-on will make it on that flight; I know that shorter flights often restrict what you can take on with you. And in my carry-on, I need to do the Purgatorian thing and have extra clothing for while I am waiting for my bags to arrive, as well as my computer, my camera, and other small things like keys, three cell phones (don’t even ask) that work for me. So inside my carry-on I need to have an even smaller bag that I can grab out if they take my carry-on away, so that I am not carrying a naked computer around.
Arrrrrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhhhh!
The title relates to the very organized habits of my fellow blogger, Purgatory, who just celebrated his three year Blogaversary, and who is coming up on another birthday. His rules for packing have logic and organization, and in a purgatorian kind of situation, you need to be able to think in a Purgatorian kind of way, taking account of all the hellish variations. And I am guessing that if there is a purgatory, (althought the Catholic church said this year that there is not), that it is a lot like an airport, waiting for a departure, thinking of eternity.
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Do you have any sense as to which carrier is doing the changing? My flights to and from Beirut never change, so I’m curious why yours so often do.
At least with American and I imagine European carriers, you have the right to agree, or not, to the changes. If the flights have changed, you will not (obviously) be able to follow your original itinerary; but this does not mean that you need to accept theirs.
I like to think of an airplane ticket as merely the first step in my negotiations with the airline:-).
I wish you safe travels, comfortable seats, no UK stopover, an empty seat next to you, and a fresh cup of Starbucks whatever-your-heart-desires waiting for you when you arrive.
No matter where I go, I always make sure to have: jeans, couple of t-shirts & necessities in my backpack. Regardless of the fact I never had lost luggage. I just like being on the safe side. π
Wish you a safe trip! π
Why three cell phones?! π
I always like to travel light no matter how long my trip is going to be. But I think we can manage with a couple of pairs of jeans and a few clean shirts, unlike you ladies. It’s the advantage of being a man I guess π
Happy traveling
Thank you for the post, glad that someone believes I am useful π
I have no clue how you get such bad luck with flights, do you book through an agent or what exactly??
sounds like what you need is one of those detachable backpacks. theyre normally the size of a biggish backpack, but the front is actually a smaller one which you can slip off incase they say its too big.
havent got one myself but i’ve been meaning to.
or you could think of one of those bicycle courier bags which are massive but compact…. only problem is, and i think any hardcore traveler will tell you that something you can support on two shoulders beats even the coolest one strap bag.
and i agree, purgatory would be a crappy transit lounge,…. kinda like abu dhabis actually π
Thank you, dear Little Diamond, for all your good wishes. The one thing that bugs me is that I have found I really really like showering in Amsterdam. It’s quiet, I am all by myself, and I feel CLEAN! I will miss out on that, and I will be rushed, which I totally hate.
It’s the same airline – KLM – I take it because of the good connections. Sometimes they have mechanical problems, and since it is only one flight a day, it means you have to wait to fly. I am guessing they booked me on their affiliates as a special favor, but the people they have in the office here are SO RUDE that I no longer even bother calling them. The same airline out of DOHA is wonderful.
It’s not just Kuwait. I don’t like flying out of Minneapolis for the same reason, or Atlanta – but Memphis or Seattle – WOO Hooooo! somehow they people are trained differently at the different sites, and it makes all the difference.
Kinan – I said “Don’t ask!”
I have my Kuwait phone, in case my husband isn’t here when I get back and I have to call a friend, and my Seattle phone and my “throw-down” phone which is still working so I don’t want to throw it down yet.;-) My smart smart smart Beirut neice just changes chips, I think, which is the smart thing to do.
Thank you, R! And I like to have something to sleep in with me, a large scarf to use as a cover-up, spare underwear, and a change in case my bags don’t show up . . .but I end up with spare clothes left just about everywhere I stay. Aaarrgh.
Purg, I book online! But last year, because of my Dad’s health, I had to go back six times, and never once had a problem. I thank God for that smoothness when I really needed it. This year – something has gone goofy every time. So I am thinking “thank God, it isn’t that important at this time.” And I hope I am storing up good travel karma to come.
Hey Skunk! I might have to take a look at that backpack rig you describe. Right now, I love my carry-on, but it has taken some hits and abuse, and is getting a little shabby. I am hard on carry-ons! This one has my purse and a spare bag inside that I can use to carry jewelry, computer, camera AND my purse if I run into that one carry-on rule. But what a hassle this has all become.
lol i know what you mean, my backpack has been with me for about 10 years now and looks like frankenstein from all the times i’ve had it restitched. time for a new one i think.
and yeah just switch sim cards its alot easier and most phones come with multiband thingys so they’ll work in most countries. except japan.
oh and happy trails to you π
Here is a tip for you
Qatar airways now flies to US. KWI-DOH-NY or Dulles ΓC then you can get your other connecting flight.
It has good prices on Economy, or even business and first, and I would recommend that you examine that option for future flights. Their office is located in Kuwait city, just across from Muthana Complex and also check their online site.
I just wish it flies to Amsterdam, then I am not forced to take KLM π
Holy Smokes, Skunk, ten years! Mine last maybe FIVE at the most! Even really expensive ones – I stuff too much in them, and it takes its toll.
Thanks for the good info, Purg. I like fewer connections, rather than more, and the QA flights look like good options.
I’ve always liked KLM, and they seem to have hit a rough patch recently. I am horrified at the way they are treating customers – I am guessing too much work for too few people. The airlines are all struggling.