Packed
The ‘out of office’ notification is on and I’ve just finished packing my bag for tomorrow’s trip to Malaga.
I’m going carry-on luggage only, which I try to do for all European trips. But this time, due to the ineptitude of British Airways, I can’t bring my preferred bag - a Rimowa spinner - and have to go backpack only.
Why?
A couple of weeks ago, British Airways cancelled my flight and, after a brain-melting telephone battle with their poorly named ‘customer support’ team, I was moved onto a flight going out at about the same time - but with Vueling.
Never heard of them? Think Ryanair, but Spanish. Budget as budget can be. And I know, as I’ve been forced to travel with them before, for reasons. It’s very barebones, usually horribly delayed, and comes with the kind of customer service that you’d associate with a prison.
So yeah, my usual luggage won’t fit on board. And yes, I’ve checked. My smaller backpack means I have to be even more choosy about what to bring. So it took me a while longer than it usually does to get everything stowed away.
Ugh. All just grit in the experience, nothing disastrous.
I’ve double-checked my list and it’s all in there - somehow - except for my iPad mini, which is charging on the bedside table.
Tomorrow morning, I head into the City of London to run a team building workshop for some fellow psychologists (no pressure!), then after lunch, I can hop on the train to Gatwick, meeting my travel buddy on the way, and start to enjoy the weekend.
And you’d better believe I’ll be heading straight to the British Airways Executive Lounge at Gatwick for some compensatory champagne. Woe betide the BA flunky who tells me I can’t get in because I’m on a Vueling flight. Vueling’s owned by BA’s owners and I’m going to get my bubbles! 🥂