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The Travel Detective Blog: Earthquakes, Unscheduled Landings and Checked Bags

Airlines & Airports, Featured Posts, Luggage & Packing, Mexico & Central America, Safety & Security, The Travel Detective® Blog, Travel News, Travel Planning — on March 21, 2012 9:26 am
The Travel Detective Blog: Earthquakes, Unscheduled Landings and Checked Bags

Peter earned his moniker the Travel Detective by flying over 400,000 miles a year, so he’s no stranger to earthquakes, unscheduled landings and checked (or lost) bags. But what happens when all three hit on one day? Read his latest blog to find out.  Spoiler alert: this is a story with a happy ending. 

It’s not always easy to get from Point A to Point B, let alone Point C, but that’s an typical travel challenge for me, and yesterday was no exception.

I started out at the airport in Zihautenejo, Mexico for a one-hour flight to Mexico City. The 10:30 am plane left on time and arrived in Mexico City around 11:30. I was there to connect to a Delta flight from Mexico City to Detroit, where I would take the non-stop redeye flight from Detroit to Amsterdam.

As many of you know, I don’t check bags on domestic flights. I FedEx them. But when I travel on an international itinerary, I do check bags.

So my bags were checked from Zihautenejo to Mexico City to Detroit, and then to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. What are the odds they would make it? More important, what are the odds that I would make it?

I planned the itinerary with at least two hours between each flight. On the first leg, there was no problem. I landed in Mexico City on time, exited the plane and walked into terminal. Just in time for a massive 7.0 earthquake (some wire services reported it as high as 7.6). The buildings rocked and rolled, and passengers found themselves almost surfing on the terminal carpet as we tried to maintain our balance. Some of us (myself included) ran under doorways.

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  • Stephanie Schneiderman

    That’s quite a story, Peter.  I’m exhausted just reading it!

  • Dena Braun

    Oh my Peter, now that is a BAD travel day!  Ouch!

  • Anne Chalfant

    Actually a “good” travel day, wasn’t it? In spite of major deterrents/disasters, both you and your luggage arrived on time and intact. People point to all the airlines’ failings, but the statistical big picture is that the airlines are probably the best and safest working systems in the world.
    As a frequent traveler, that’s how I feel, and I think it needs to be said more often. The glitches along the way are surprisingly few, given that the airlines are dealing with weather issues, mechanical issues, strict controls on flight crew hours–plus a cranky flying public and security issues.
    Yes, I would like more customer service with a smile, especially on U.S. carriers. And more legroom.
    Peter, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the above.