<p>cangel - let the agent know where D’s final destination will be and the luggage will be checked all the way through - domestic to domestic or domestic to international. Upon returning to US on International, you have to claim bags at first point of entry into the US for customs and immigration check. Then, there are usually passenger service agents who will load the bags and get them to your next flight. You only usually have to carry them through the checks, then turn them over at the front fo the hall.</p>
<p>Just returned from taking D and everything but the kitchen sink (1 HUGE bag just made 62", and 3 very large, plus 2 of the largest carryons made) to Amherst - flew into Hartford via Atlanta. Left Houston, used curbside check-in, and forgot to have $ out in hand for tip, and there was NO problem, but gave a tip for the 4 bags. Then, our heavy carryons were belly loaded (we offered) at the gate to make room for other peoples’ carryons, because flight was pretty full, so didn’t have to deal with those 2 bags, either. Way to check stuff without “officially” checking stuff and going over the limit. Picked up bags, got on rental car shuttle, and as soon as the driver saw our haul, he said, off to colleg, right? On the way back, at Hartford, I put one suitcase in the monster sized one, and took back a few things D said she wouldn’t need after all, and my meager amount of closthes for 4 days, and went to curbside. The skycap took one look and immediately lifted it and said, “how much does this weigh?” I told him it didn’t matter. (he was already taking it over to the scale behind him) I would repack it into 2 suitcases, and check 2, instead of one, since there was one inside. I took out the tip, and he said, we will let it go. It couldn’t have been over 50 pounds - he was just making sure he got his tip. So, D has been forwarned when she leaves out of Hartford - they are sticklers unless the money is out.</p>
<p>Katrina cause me problems on the way back. I called Delta the night before, knowing we would be flying over the affected area, and the said they foresaw no problem, but to call in the am. I did, still no porblem. Of course, they failed to tell me that my connecting flight was cancelled, and that they didn’t book me out on the next flight out. Instead they sent me to the gate (we landed an hour late due to massive delays in Atlanta because of Katrina) and they sent me to the gate of the next departure. (D to A28! long hike). I stood in line for 20 minutes to get seat assingnment and was informed I was not on the 7:36 flight, but on the 9:06 flight leaving from Concourse B - another long hike - I went 2 gates and the monitor showed the flight wasn’t leaving until 10:00 p.m. Finally arrived home at midnight, when I should have landed in Houston at 7:30 originally. But there was no problem, right??? I understand the difficulty, but when I called and suggested the reroute me via Chicago to Houston, they said there was no need. There was “no porblem.” Oh, well, I am home, safe and sound, and D has already e-mailed me for things she didn’t bring - the package is already in the mail. Sigh!</p>