One of the Reasons I Miss Air Jamaica
Traveling to Jamaica on Air Jamaica was not just taking a flight home.
There was a camaraderie shared amongst passengers, check-in staff and flight attendants – an unspoken warmth that allowed for excess luggage being checked in when practical and for little deeds to assist us passengers.
The day I turned up to Heathrow, two hours before check-in, as advised and realised at the check-in counter, that my travel documents, including passport, had been left on the dining table – AT HOME.
“You can go for it,” the check-in attendant said. “You have one and a half hours to come back before we close the flight.” She gave me an encouraging smile. “Take the train back to Central London. That is the only way you will do it.”
So, opened my suitcase, exchanged the high heels for the brand new trainers I had bought for my nephew, checked my luggage into “Excess Baggage” and flew down the escalators to the Underground.
Have you ever been in a rush, but you imagine the trains are going slower than usual? Finally reached home, grabbed the pouch and rushed back to Heathrow. Grabbed my luggage and flew to Zone F, or wherever we were checking in. and re-joined the long queue.
Everything was calm, compared to the mental turmoil I had been through. I espied the checking-in attendant and she gave me a Thumbs Up! I smiled widely back at her.
It felt sooo good at that moment. Not sure if I would have had the same rapport with another airline, fi real!
