In aide of increased profits and efficiency some corporate mind has devised a plan you might likely encounter upon your next use of an airline. You’ll notice, as did I, that they have now installed metal racks in order to gauge the size of your carry-on luggage. Just before you make it to the ticket counter you’ll be given opportunity to check the size of your hand luggage. If it fits the small rack it travels free and if it fits the next size a fee is charged. I’m guessing the theory is that the very limited space on an aircraft can miraculously be expanded if there is added profit involved meaning this part of the concept works. The efficiency part is what’s lagging however as an unexpected consequence has reared its ugly head. The line to the ticket counter is now hindered by tourists clothing and possessions strewn all over the floor as a panicked last moment rush to rearrange the contents of luggage takes place.
I believe it was some mediocre Spanish language skills which helped me gain employment at a “Big Box” in some small out of the way town in Florida. That’s why I thought it odd that not one of seven ticket agents at the Spirit Airlines counter in an international airport could communicate the concept of “the rack” to a poor hapless South American traveler ahead of us in the line. He needed to remove some items from the over stuffed bag in order for it to ride free and all the gesticulations and increased volume of the English language by the ticket agents weren’t helping .The wife kindly offered the information in his native tongue.
In short order it became apparent to an increasingly impatient queue of travelers that he hadn’t removed enough from the bag for it to fit as he again struggled to force it into the rack, beads of sweat beginning to form. This is where my mediocre Spanish language skills kicked in and in hopes of helping I offered forth some advice….
“Lavantese a este…usado su pia” ….. or roughly, use your foot, stand on it.
One hundred and fifty pounds of South American suddenly forced the bag into the rack thus offering it free travel and relief to the ever growing line of impatient travelers. Unfortunately the relief was short lived as we soon discovered the bag, having now expanded itself in the rack, was impossible to remove.
“Why did you tell him to do that ?” barked the wife bringing some unwanted attention my way. Now some of the impatience seemed directed towards me and while trying to stare me down one of the would be passengers offered me this….
“Nice play Shakespeare…..got an encore?”
Three people were involved in the bags removal as we left and so I know not the outcome…
