Cape Verde > The Luggage Didn't Arrive

Just after midnight, we board flight TP 2334. I seem to be lucky. Because the row in front of me is at the emergency exit, the seat in front of me is missing. This allows me to stretch my legs. The seat itself is very basic. It has no reclining function. None of the seats in the rear section of the plane do. While the plane flies in the dark toward Lisbon, I try to get some sleep. This is only moderately successful with a few short periods. While we are in the air, daylight saving time begins on the European mainland. This means that when we land in Lisbon, the time difference is not one hour but two hours. Just before seven o’clock, the plane lands in Lisbon. On the way to the gate for the connecting flight, we encounter a long queue for carry-on baggage control. People with a tight connection time are allowed to skip the line via a separate route. We have two hours for the connection, so enough time to join the regular queue. Customs is also busy.

Cape Verde - The flight back home via Portugal

Travelers from the European Union can use self-scan passport control. Because not all gates work, there is a considerable queue here as well. I estimate about fifteen people ahead of me. We have completed all procedures well in time. We even have some time for coffee and a sandwich. At gate 22, carry-on baggage is checked very strictly. All bags must fit into a standard measuring device. Oversized bags are not accepted as carry-on. The bins on the plane simply aren’t bigger, the employee explains. We are seated almost at the front of the plane, in row four, just behind Business Class. This makes it easy to see technical staff entering and exiting the cockpit. The captain announces that something was not in order during the standard check. As a precaution, it is first replaced. After three quarters of an hour, the problem seems solved. The technicians with yellow vests leave the plane. The captain reports the problem is fixed. To solve it, the cargo had to be removed from the plane. With almost one hour delay, we finally take off toward Amsterdam. A good moment to catch some sleep. These seats are much more comfortable than on the previous flight. Just after 1:30 am Dutch time, I see the Netherlands appear below me. We fly over Delft toward Schiphol. Shortly after, we disembark. We quickly call a taxi. At the baggage claim, a surprise awaits. An announcement says all baggage from our flight has been left behind in Lisbon. We are directed to the Swissport desk, the baggage handler. Fortunately, we are among the first at the desk. Behind us, a long line quickly forms. The baggage claim is filed. As soon as the luggage arrives at Schiphol, we will be called to arrange delivery. It is what it is. Because the baggage of all passengers did not arrive, they cannot say when it will come. I will wait and see. With only our carry-on baggage, we take the taxi and head home. On Monday, the baggage will be delivered at home.