Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Travels with Kitten: And you thought KIDS couldn't follow simple directions...

When you travel, you can't help but observe others' actions of idiocy. My recent trip was full of them. Consider these:
  • On my flight to San Juan, as I went through security, the lady in front of me was having her carry-on literally taken apart. Reason? She tried to carry full-sized toiletries on the plane. I'm talking, large, economy-sized bottles of shampoo, mouthwash, toothpaste, sunscreen, perfume--you name it, she had it. Her mouth was agape as the security agent confiscated all but her bag. Yes, it may have been quite some time since she last flew, but hasn't the 3-1-1 rule been widely publicized? And did anyone alert her to said rule?
  • Before leaving the ship, our cabin steward left us extremely detailed directions on the whole disembarkation process. Now, one of those rules clearly stated that you could not take any produce item off the ship and bring it into the country. Well, as we were waiting in line at customs, a nice young agent happened to walk by with her nice young beagle, who happened to sniff the duffel bag of a nice young couple. The nice young couple had a gallon-sized Ziploc bag of bananas, oranges, and apples with them, directly from the buffet line. They didn't have it for long.
  • If you've never been on a cruise ship before, on the last night of your cruise, you have to put your luggage outside your cabin. The cabin stewards collect the bags, and when the ship arrives in port, sends them to a large hangar where the passengers can reclaim them upon disembarkation. This is supposed to expedite the check-out process. In the extremely detailed instructions that your cabin steward leaves you, it specifically and clearly states that you must put any needed documentation--including your PASSPORT--in your carry-on. Imagine the shock on the face of the woman I sat next to in the martini bar when she realized she had PACKED her passport, thinking she could retrieve it when she got her luggage back. In some cases, you can, but not always!
And I could go on and on, but I will spare you. But it just amazes me how reasonably functioning, intelligent adults can't follow the most basic directions...

11 comments:

Momma Hunt said...

This makes me think of my students who the day after I have them a detailed instruction sheet on the current project, at least two of them asked me question that I not only answered the day before, is clearly answered on the handout they were holding while asking me that questions. SERIOUSLY!! How has natural selection not taken affect!

Unknown said...

Welcome back!

Funny - some people feel rules are for others, that they are special.

My husband thinks that way...lol.

Grand Pooba said...

WOW. Seriously, EVERYONE knows about the 3-1-1 rule!

Jodi said...

It amazes me how people function through everyday life. It is like they need their hand held for everything.

I'm still laughing at the toiletries lady. What did she think she was staying for -- a month or two? LOL When I was working as an agent, I suggested to all travelers to check their airline's website for current baggage policy allowances.

Celia said...

Nothing like that surprises me anymore. Too many years in retail. But I am glad you are back from your trip!

Jenners said...

These are the kinds of behaviors that make my husband go BALLISTIC when we travel.

WordsPoeticallyWorth said...

Kitty cat at gentle mischievious play
Observing the brighter side of holiday
Which is great for us bloggers to sway
To your creative intelectual say.

I enjoyed reading this post. I think everyone should enjoy several holidays a year to refresh yourself with renewed vigour of respiration from gentle persuasion to gambol and ramble. Take considerate care. Thank you Christianly much And Good Bless. Bye.

Marie Cloutier said...

OMG. the lady with the economy sized toiletries is cracking me up. You can't even bring a frackin BOTTLE OF WATER on a plane anymore- get with the program! Oy.

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

I have seen it all, there are a lot of people who seem to have zero sense.

septembermom said...

It is amazing to see how clueless some people can be!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Hey Kitten! Miss your regular posts...