My Luggage Took Its Own Vacation

I'd never been a fan of checking bags at airports, preferring to pack light and carry on when traveling.

I became even less of a fan after I arrived at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and my bags did not.

After a long, draw-out trip to the customer service office, I finally picked up my rental car and headed south to my final destination. I had been told the airline would deliver my bags as soon as they arrived, hopefully in the next 48 hours. My trip was less than three days long, so I certainly hoped that would be the case.

I had packed only a small carry-on, devoid of clothes or toiletries, so I picked up a few essentials on the way south, having already resigned myself to renting golf clubs for my tee time in the morning, since my clubs were, apparently, on a plane bound for Dallas. Or Chicago. Nobody was quite sure.

About 40 hours after arriving, I received a call from the airline. My bags had been located and would be delivered the following afternoon.

One problem. I was leaving that next morning.

Since my outgoing flight would be departing before my bags arrived, the guy made arrangements for my bags to be sent back home.

Two days later, my luggage was on my doorstep, having traveled much farther than I had and having served no purpose whatsoever for my trip ... and ensuring that I'd be sticking to carry-on baggage in the future.