Cornershot

Recent stories about the merger of U.S. Airways and American Airlines reminded me of an embarrassing laugh on myself decades ago.

I’m an avid commercial aviation collector, dealer and somewhat historian (albeit the historian part came much later in life as you will see). I worked for American Airlines in the ’60s.

One day after all the passengers had cleared from baggage claim, there was a very nice set of luggage unclaimed going around on the belt. Upon removing and inspecting it, I found it was nicely engraved with the passenger’s name, thereby making my job much easier to find the owner.

Before putting it in lock up , I went to the ticket counter to give a quick page for the owner in case they had just been waylaid from deplaning .

I picked up the microphone and in my most professional, dignified tone began to speak: “Ms. Earhart. Ms. Amelia Earhart, please come to the baggage claim area of American Airlines.”

I hung up the microphone and suddenly realized all my fellow agents were staring at me and laughing … not to mention the untold hundreds in the terminal.

A senior agent walked up to me and said, “Don’t expect to see her anytime soon. You’ll have a very long wait!” And went on to explain the luggage name brand to me.

I’ve always liked to joke now that, well, she may be forever lost, but her luggage eventually arrived.

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