Day 6: The Return
Thus it was that 5:30 a.m. the next morning saw me sitting on my computer bag trying to fit in all my newly acquired clothes, before squeezing in my laptop.
Amazingly I managed, and was able to wander down to reception to check out wheeling only my computer bag and carrying a shopping bag with the now much-hated new shoes. These I was delighted to hand over to the even more delighted bellboy, who I had previously established wore the same size and who had even offered to go out and buy a new pair for me! Then, feeling even more denuded than when I arrived, I took a taxi to the airport.
Fortunately no-one queried my slightly awkward, bulging hand luggage (I would not have been liable for my actions if they had!) and I had an uneventful flight to Paris. With a little time before catching my connecting flight, I stopped at the Air France Customer Service Desk to once again ask about my missing luggage. After all, as my suitcase must have made the initial flight but hadn’t made it to Tunis, Paris seemed the most likely place to find it. Based on my poor customer experience to date I thought that I should personally make every effort while there, and envisaged repeating what we had done in Tunis.
Once again, however, things did not work out as I hoped.
Presenting my baggage claim I explained what I wanted. After examining my boarding pass the representative informed me that I did not have enough time because what I proposed would necessitate exiting the building and then having to queue through full security again. (I am not sure what the difference is between transit security and full security: you still have to take off your shoes and belt etc. even though you have just disembarked from an aeroplane after having gone through the same process, but I suppose standards vary and it is necessary to maintain consistency.) She did, however, check the lost luggage inventory and assured me it was not there.
Having experienced enough hassle over my missing bag, and not wanting more problems by missing my flight altogether, I heeded her advice and proceeded directly to the departure gate.
On landing back in Manchester I cleared immigration and proceeded to the baggage claim desk to see if my suitcase had somehow ended up there. Here a very helpful (non Air France) attendant listened to my tale of woe and checked his list. Unsurprisingly, once again without success! This time, however, he would not let me go before he had made one further enquiry.
He then proceeded to enquire against the unidentified, unclaimed luggage inventory in Paris. This lists all items that have no labels or tags and cannot be identified. (That in itself is remarkable when you think of the luggage labels attached at check-in and how hard they ares to remove, on top of which, my suitcase had a personal name and address tag!) In such cases, regardless of whether it is locked or not, (mine was padlocked!) the bag is opened and the contents inventoried. After we had eliminated 3 suitcases as not being the right brand, he identified a fourth as a possibility. He then started to describe the contents and Eureka! I was able to identify it as my missing case. He then assured me that it would be with me no later than the next day. What a relief! I was able to collect my car and head home with more peace of mind than I had felt in nearly a week.
The next morning a courier arrived and I was happily reunited with my suitcase and – more importantly – all its contents! I am still waiting to be able to wear my shoes normally, but I know that’s just a matter of time.