The Passenger Has Totally Checked Out

I am waiting to board a flight when we receive word that it has been cancelled due to fog in the other city — not an uncommon thing to happen. Everyone lines up at the desk to get rebooked onto different flights. I’m waiting my turn when I see this gem of an interaction.

Flight Attendant: “All right, you have now been rebooked on [new flight number]. Do you have checked luggage?”

Passenger: “Yes.”

Flight Attendant: “Great. You will need to collect it from Carousel 2 and take it back to the desks to be checked in for your new flight.”

Passenger: “But it’s already been checked in.”

Flight Attendant: “Pardon?”

Passenger: “It’s been checked in. I did that about an hour ago.”

Flight Attendant: “Yes, for your cancelled flight. But you need to check it in for your new flight.”

Passenger: “You don’t understand. The luggage has been checked in already. That’s done.”

Flight Attendant: “For which flight?”

Passenger: “[Old flight number], duh.”

Flight Attendant: “The flight that got cancelled.”

Passenger: “Yeah.”

Flight Attendant: “But you’re now on a new flight.”

Passenger: “Yeah.”

Flight Attendant: “Which means you need to check your luggage on your new flight.”

Passenger: *Pauses* “I don’t get it.”

The poor flight attendant must have gone through the whole conversation four times, doing everything except pulling out finger puppets to convince the traveller to check his luggage. He finally left, still looking confused, and I was able to rebook my own flight. The flight attendant looked very relieved when I assured her that I only had a carry-on.