Traveling to Jakarta Became a Nightmare
Traveling to Jakarta Became a Nightmare
very rough draft
will be edited soon May 19, 2018
Alan Black added 2 new photos.
May 19, 2013 at 12:06pm ·
A few minutes ago as I was about to lay down again to hopefully sleep some more I saw the MESSAGE LIGHT ON.My HOPE brain cells got excited and energized.I called about the message.No it was about a technical call about my giant screen tv.Here are photos of my MISSING, RELOCATED BUT NOT RECORDED bags.If you see these on top of the Seattle Needle, Toronto Tower, the London Eye, the giant ferris wheel in either Vienna or Singapore or any vantage point in NYC, perhaps even on the Golden Gate Bridge or Oakland Bay Bridge,.....Please contact me or the China Airlines or DELTA so they can tell me.these photos are much like my two missing CHECKED bags.1 small roller with front pockets, expanable feature and "4 WHEELS"1 medium to large roller with front pockets, expandable feature and "2 WHEELS"
My Missing Bags...or look alikes
2 Photos
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No automatic alt text available.
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Alan Black
May 19, 2013 at 11:36am ·
those who are following my unplanned adventure and the last piece remaining:
MY UN-LOCATED CHECKED BAGS
two reports filed,
Two separate baggage finding agencies contacted
no phone calls
no baggage
Over all the years I have traveled"
Yes bags miss connections
Yes bags some times do end up at incorrect airports
Yes bags some times gets misplaced
In my case the bags have never been completely lost.
I always got them back eventually, usually on the next day's flight, whether in Athens, Georgia after returning from somewhere in the US or around the world.
Also I have eventually gotten my bags delivered to my hotels, meeting locations, B&Bs or resorts in 2 to 3 days in Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa.
The reason I never had a lost bag during my extended trips, whether around ALL of Europe, UK, part of the Middle East, Eastern Europe, or completely around the world to 16 to 30 countries....
I DID NOT CHECK THEM!
I carried them on.
Because I was going to be away for two weeks doing presentations in 2 countries for different groups and a pair of 2-day workshops I decided to carry more: props, materials, books. I chose to use a "medium" size pull behind bag and a smaller one with 4 wheels and split the materials, books and clothing between the two with the plan to carry the smaller one with 4 wheels ON THE PLANES with me.
But the very friendly, very helpful, very kind Delta Employee said he would check my "2 bags" for no extra charge.
My English & Scottish inherited background caused me to SAVE MONEY and energy of pulling the heavy, though small and with 4 wheels bag.
DING!.......my sub-conscious or my 50+ years of traveling did not RING A BELL and WARN ME not to do that.
I always carry on what I need for my work: computer, phones, thumb drives.
I will stop with the details.
I am getting tired of telling this story and reliving it though I find more ways to make possibly funnier each time.
10 Comments1 Share
2Sherri Lockett Pipal and Cathy de Seton
Comments
Alan Black
Alan Black don't read this one unless you are truly interested or about to travel by plane soon and haven't that much.
BEWARE
ASSUME NOTHING!
Manage
5y · Like
Tim Hamons
Tim Hamons wow, am sorry to hear that Alan, I hope things turn up. wish there was something I could do to help.
Manage
5y · Like
Alan Black
Alan Black thanks for you wishing you could help.
Since I began posting journal messages about my traveling I have usually not reported or wrote about the negative experiences from lost bags to cancelled flights, cancelled trains, bus drive strikes, bad food, horrible service or treatment...
Usually because most of these things so seldom happened and I wanted my journals to be positive to capture readers and maintain them instead of just dumping which I have done in personal handwritten or computer generated journals that NO ONE ELSE EVE SEES as one way of dealing with the frustration, pain, disappointment, anger, financial cost, etc.
Typically I strive for the FUNNY as much as I can
or collect details to create future stories or workshop exercises.
1
Manage
5y · Like
Karen Van Wagenen
Karen Van Wagenen I also carry on a 'mission critical' bag just in case . . . Praying to the luggage gods your bags show up. You could look at this as an opportunity to improvise and be creative.
Manage
5y · Like
Sherri Lockett Pipal
Sherri Lockett Pipal We so feel your pain and weariness of it all!! But thanks for sharing!!
Manage
5y · Like
Pat Tith
Pat Tith You took the forbidden fruit! On the optimistic side, it could take awhile for you to be rejoined to your baggage. Don't give up hope. Once a "lost" bag appeared 10 days later at my home after taking many long trip here there and everywhere.
Manage
5y · Like
Sherri Lockett Pipal
Sherri Lockett Pipal I have found that life gives us Salt and Pepper. It is all part of life. Sometimes you just have VENT!!! Your are human, Alan and it is OK to share the good and the bad.
Manage
5y · Like
Cathy de Seton
Cathy de Seton Hope you are reunited with you wares real soon...
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Janice L. Crowder Pulliam
Janice L. Crowder Pulliam so sorry you continue to be plagued with troubles on this trip. maybe it bodes well for no problems at all on your next trip?
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Alan Black
Alan Black everything else has been excellent so far. Still no bags yet nor information of where they are now.
1
Manage
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Alan Black
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Alan Black
May 19, 2013 at 6:46am ·
off to wander a little before it gets dark.
3Andria Galagher, Tersi Bendiburg and John Yeo
Share
Alan Black
May 19, 2013 at 6:31am ·
In my experimenting and searching for makeshift clothes to tied me over until I get my luggage or learn whether I will or not get the bags I was testing out my frugal buying.
1.00 USD = 9,749.90 IDR
US Dollar ↔ Indonesian Rupiah
My roast beef sandwich for dinner cost 55,000 IDR = $5.571 Pretty good considering it is a hotel's deli.
Water in 20 oz at the deli is 33,000 idr = $3.40 which is not bad
Carre Fore was selling a litre for 35,000 idr = $3.50
my two shirts cost with no haggling (which I could have probably)
150,000 cost me $15.20 pretty decent.
I will play more the next two days now that I can easily just divide by 10.
1 Comment1 Share
3Tersi Bendiburg, John Yeo and Deborah Lange
Comments
John Yeo
John Yeo Btw. That's how I often go around when I travel ... Living on the line. Literally.
Manage
5y · Like
Alan Black
Write a comment...
Share
Alan Black
May 19, 2013 at 3:18am ·
I have checked into the Inter-Continental Hotel, a day later than planned, safe and sound and yet still with no info about where my two CHECKED bags may be located and if they possibly can reach me realistically in the next couple days.
rest of the China Airlines...."Indonesia will not let you use that BLANK page in your passport story."
The hassle was totally unnecessary. The China Airlines employees were WRONG.
The Indonesia Visa check in person said they would have ACCEPTED any of the 3 BLANK pages I had in my book. I DID NOT have to get a special appointment with the US Passport Office in San Francisco waste money on taxi, hotel, meals, etc.
All the money, time, lost day in Jakarta was totally unnecessary
Now I still have no info about where my bags are.
I have filed with a baggage company at the Jakarta Airport who will find them.
Also filed with the conceierge here at the hotel.
Now off to buy some clothes for the next couple days and enjoy the rest of my first day here.
MAKE SURE WHAT THE REAL FACTS ARE ABOUT VISA REQUIREMENTS BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR AIRPLANE TICKETS.
Avoid ASSUMPTIONS and relying on low paid airport counter employees or the supervisors or managers.
Alan
8 Comments
5Derek Shields, Thum Cheng Cheong and 3 others
Comments
Derek Shields
Derek Shields Thanks for the advice, Alan. I´ll stay at home in Spain, though I may got to Ireland in the autumn for the jazz - no visa needed and no fuss. D.
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions · See Translation
Derek Shields
Derek Shields I hope your bags soon reappear.
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Heather France
Heather France Glad to hear you got there safe and sound hope you find your bags. What a frustrating time you have had. Relax and enjoy now xx
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Cathy de Seton
Cathy de Seton It will be interesting to hear the journey of your bags, since they had a interesting trip home from NZ when the wrong destination was attached...
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Alan Black
Alan Black thanks for all the good wishes. yes my bags coming back from NZ got deadheaded to Chicago instead of Atlanta. Because of that experience I made sure that my "two" bags were checked completely thru to Jakarta by the Delta person and he didn't charge m...See More
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Bill Barker
Bill Barker If the final destination on your baggage check receipt shows CGK then your bags should turn up there.
1
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Bill Barker
Bill Barker Good idea to use a reliable travel agency or a visa agency in a large U.S. ciity to get a visa and pay for their services rather than depend on unpaid advice. That is what we have always done, never a problem.
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Alan Black
Alan Black yes you are so correct Bill.
I have used reputable companies in DC, in Houston, I have sent my passport to many embassies when I had time.
I don't use reputable Travel Agencies because of their cost.
As to visa agencies? I have used one particular one in Washington, DC paying several hundred dollars when I planned my two major long trips completely around the world and had no problems.
I got no consistency about this issue.
China Airlines people working on Thursday night claimed one thing,
their supervisor and then their manager claimed that they had received faxes CLEARLY STATING that there must be at least one CLEAR, CLEAN, PREVIOUSLY UNUSED PAGE, that is a VISA page (has the word printed on it in small type towards the top of the page.
long story that took place after that
I made 7 phone calls
2 to the China Airlines help desk
during those I was given a direct line, an 800 # line to the China Airlines baggage claim office
and
a direct line and an 800 # for the San Francisco Baggage handling department.
I called 3 times (1 hour apart) to the direct line of both leaving CLEAR, DISTINCT MESSAGES REPEATING VERY SLOWLY MY PHONE NUMBER
No calles were received or returned to my cell phone.
When I arrived at the airport and talked with an official looking Philippines Airline male employee in his suit, he said that they would work it out before we took off and have my 2 bags transferred to their airline.
By the time I boarded our plan to leave all they have been told is that bags had still not been located.
There is no evidence of theme arriving in Jakarta yet.
BTW - TSA clearly says any bags loaded that do not have passengers to match with MUST be removed before take-off.
Makes Sense.
Unfortunately I have had bags go to other cities and be put in stored until they were traced and then returned to me SOMEWHERE.
very rough draft
will be edited soon May 19, 2018
Alan Black added 2 new photos.
May 19, 2013 at 12:06pm ·
A few minutes ago as I was about to lay down again to hopefully sleep some more I saw the MESSAGE LIGHT ON.My HOPE brain cells got excited and energized.I called about the message.No it was about a technical call about my giant screen tv.Here are photos of my MISSING, RELOCATED BUT NOT RECORDED bags.If you see these on top of the Seattle Needle, Toronto Tower, the London Eye, the giant ferris wheel in either Vienna or Singapore or any vantage point in NYC, perhaps even on the Golden Gate Bridge or Oakland Bay Bridge,.....Please contact me or the China Airlines or DELTA so they can tell me.these photos are much like my two missing CHECKED bags.1 small roller with front pockets, expanable feature and "4 WHEELS"1 medium to large roller with front pockets, expandable feature and "2 WHEELS"
My Missing Bags...or look alikes
2 Photos
No automatic alt text available.
No automatic alt text available.
Add Photos / VideosChoose a file to upload
Share
Alan Black
May 19, 2013 at 11:36am ·
those who are following my unplanned adventure and the last piece remaining:
MY UN-LOCATED CHECKED BAGS
two reports filed,
Two separate baggage finding agencies contacted
no phone calls
no baggage
Over all the years I have traveled"
Yes bags miss connections
Yes bags some times do end up at incorrect airports
Yes bags some times gets misplaced
In my case the bags have never been completely lost.
I always got them back eventually, usually on the next day's flight, whether in Athens, Georgia after returning from somewhere in the US or around the world.
Also I have eventually gotten my bags delivered to my hotels, meeting locations, B&Bs or resorts in 2 to 3 days in Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa.
The reason I never had a lost bag during my extended trips, whether around ALL of Europe, UK, part of the Middle East, Eastern Europe, or completely around the world to 16 to 30 countries....
I DID NOT CHECK THEM!
I carried them on.
Because I was going to be away for two weeks doing presentations in 2 countries for different groups and a pair of 2-day workshops I decided to carry more: props, materials, books. I chose to use a "medium" size pull behind bag and a smaller one with 4 wheels and split the materials, books and clothing between the two with the plan to carry the smaller one with 4 wheels ON THE PLANES with me.
But the very friendly, very helpful, very kind Delta Employee said he would check my "2 bags" for no extra charge.
My English & Scottish inherited background caused me to SAVE MONEY and energy of pulling the heavy, though small and with 4 wheels bag.
DING!.......my sub-conscious or my 50+ years of traveling did not RING A BELL and WARN ME not to do that.
I always carry on what I need for my work: computer, phones, thumb drives.
I will stop with the details.
I am getting tired of telling this story and reliving it though I find more ways to make possibly funnier each time.
10 Comments1 Share
2Sherri Lockett Pipal and Cathy de Seton
Comments
Alan Black
Alan Black don't read this one unless you are truly interested or about to travel by plane soon and haven't that much.
BEWARE
ASSUME NOTHING!
Manage
5y · Like
Tim Hamons
Tim Hamons wow, am sorry to hear that Alan, I hope things turn up. wish there was something I could do to help.
Manage
5y · Like
Alan Black
Alan Black thanks for you wishing you could help.
Since I began posting journal messages about my traveling I have usually not reported or wrote about the negative experiences from lost bags to cancelled flights, cancelled trains, bus drive strikes, bad food, horrible service or treatment...
Usually because most of these things so seldom happened and I wanted my journals to be positive to capture readers and maintain them instead of just dumping which I have done in personal handwritten or computer generated journals that NO ONE ELSE EVE SEES as one way of dealing with the frustration, pain, disappointment, anger, financial cost, etc.
Typically I strive for the FUNNY as much as I can
or collect details to create future stories or workshop exercises.
1
Manage
5y · Like
Karen Van Wagenen
Karen Van Wagenen I also carry on a 'mission critical' bag just in case . . . Praying to the luggage gods your bags show up. You could look at this as an opportunity to improvise and be creative.
Manage
5y · Like
Sherri Lockett Pipal
Sherri Lockett Pipal We so feel your pain and weariness of it all!! But thanks for sharing!!
Manage
5y · Like
Pat Tith
Pat Tith You took the forbidden fruit! On the optimistic side, it could take awhile for you to be rejoined to your baggage. Don't give up hope. Once a "lost" bag appeared 10 days later at my home after taking many long trip here there and everywhere.
Manage
5y · Like
Sherri Lockett Pipal
Sherri Lockett Pipal I have found that life gives us Salt and Pepper. It is all part of life. Sometimes you just have VENT!!! Your are human, Alan and it is OK to share the good and the bad.
Manage
5y · Like
Cathy de Seton
Cathy de Seton Hope you are reunited with you wares real soon...
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Janice L. Crowder Pulliam
Janice L. Crowder Pulliam so sorry you continue to be plagued with troubles on this trip. maybe it bodes well for no problems at all on your next trip?
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Alan Black
Alan Black everything else has been excellent so far. Still no bags yet nor information of where they are now.
1
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Alan Black
Write a comment...
Share
Alan Black
May 19, 2013 at 6:46am ·
off to wander a little before it gets dark.
3Andria Galagher, Tersi Bendiburg and John Yeo
Share
Alan Black
May 19, 2013 at 6:31am ·
In my experimenting and searching for makeshift clothes to tied me over until I get my luggage or learn whether I will or not get the bags I was testing out my frugal buying.
1.00 USD = 9,749.90 IDR
US Dollar ↔ Indonesian Rupiah
My roast beef sandwich for dinner cost 55,000 IDR = $5.571 Pretty good considering it is a hotel's deli.
Water in 20 oz at the deli is 33,000 idr = $3.40 which is not bad
Carre Fore was selling a litre for 35,000 idr = $3.50
my two shirts cost with no haggling (which I could have probably)
150,000 cost me $15.20 pretty decent.
I will play more the next two days now that I can easily just divide by 10.
1 Comment1 Share
3Tersi Bendiburg, John Yeo and Deborah Lange
Comments
John Yeo
John Yeo Btw. That's how I often go around when I travel ... Living on the line. Literally.
Manage
5y · Like
Alan Black
Write a comment...
Share
Alan Black
May 19, 2013 at 3:18am ·
I have checked into the Inter-Continental Hotel, a day later than planned, safe and sound and yet still with no info about where my two CHECKED bags may be located and if they possibly can reach me realistically in the next couple days.
rest of the China Airlines...."Indonesia will not let you use that BLANK page in your passport story."
The hassle was totally unnecessary. The China Airlines employees were WRONG.
The Indonesia Visa check in person said they would have ACCEPTED any of the 3 BLANK pages I had in my book. I DID NOT have to get a special appointment with the US Passport Office in San Francisco waste money on taxi, hotel, meals, etc.
All the money, time, lost day in Jakarta was totally unnecessary
Now I still have no info about where my bags are.
I have filed with a baggage company at the Jakarta Airport who will find them.
Also filed with the conceierge here at the hotel.
Now off to buy some clothes for the next couple days and enjoy the rest of my first day here.
MAKE SURE WHAT THE REAL FACTS ARE ABOUT VISA REQUIREMENTS BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR AIRPLANE TICKETS.
Avoid ASSUMPTIONS and relying on low paid airport counter employees or the supervisors or managers.
Alan
8 Comments
5Derek Shields, Thum Cheng Cheong and 3 others
Comments
Derek Shields
Derek Shields Thanks for the advice, Alan. I´ll stay at home in Spain, though I may got to Ireland in the autumn for the jazz - no visa needed and no fuss. D.
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions · See Translation
Derek Shields
Derek Shields I hope your bags soon reappear.
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Heather France
Heather France Glad to hear you got there safe and sound hope you find your bags. What a frustrating time you have had. Relax and enjoy now xx
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Cathy de Seton
Cathy de Seton It will be interesting to hear the journey of your bags, since they had a interesting trip home from NZ when the wrong destination was attached...
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Alan Black
Alan Black thanks for all the good wishes. yes my bags coming back from NZ got deadheaded to Chicago instead of Atlanta. Because of that experience I made sure that my "two" bags were checked completely thru to Jakarta by the Delta person and he didn't charge m...See More
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Bill Barker
Bill Barker If the final destination on your baggage check receipt shows CGK then your bags should turn up there.
1
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Bill Barker
Bill Barker Good idea to use a reliable travel agency or a visa agency in a large U.S. ciity to get a visa and pay for their services rather than depend on unpaid advice. That is what we have always done, never a problem.
Manage
5y · LikeShow more reactions
Alan Black
Alan Black yes you are so correct Bill.
I have used reputable companies in DC, in Houston, I have sent my passport to many embassies when I had time.
I don't use reputable Travel Agencies because of their cost.
As to visa agencies? I have used one particular one in Washington, DC paying several hundred dollars when I planned my two major long trips completely around the world and had no problems.
I got no consistency about this issue.
China Airlines people working on Thursday night claimed one thing,
their supervisor and then their manager claimed that they had received faxes CLEARLY STATING that there must be at least one CLEAR, CLEAN, PREVIOUSLY UNUSED PAGE, that is a VISA page (has the word printed on it in small type towards the top of the page.
long story that took place after that
I made 7 phone calls
2 to the China Airlines help desk
during those I was given a direct line, an 800 # line to the China Airlines baggage claim office
and
a direct line and an 800 # for the San Francisco Baggage handling department.
I called 3 times (1 hour apart) to the direct line of both leaving CLEAR, DISTINCT MESSAGES REPEATING VERY SLOWLY MY PHONE NUMBER
No calles were received or returned to my cell phone.
When I arrived at the airport and talked with an official looking Philippines Airline male employee in his suit, he said that they would work it out before we took off and have my 2 bags transferred to their airline.
By the time I boarded our plan to leave all they have been told is that bags had still not been located.
There is no evidence of theme arriving in Jakarta yet.
BTW - TSA clearly says any bags loaded that do not have passengers to match with MUST be removed before take-off.
Makes Sense.
Unfortunately I have had bags go to other cities and be put in stored until they were traced and then returned to me SOMEWHERE.
Comments
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