I’m done with my morning tour in Rio de Janeiro and was taken back to my hotel at 11am. I finalized packing my things, still with one medium size luggage for check-in. All my personal things such as shirts and pants are in my luggage and those allowable for hand carry such as perfumes and gadgets are in my backpack. This is how I usually pack my things when traveling.
My hotel pick-up/shuttle to airport was scheduled at 12:10 noon time because my flight was at 3:25 pm from Rio de Janeiro to Lima, Peru with flight connections in Sao Paulo. In Rio Galeao Airport, they have self-checked in machines on one side. Since I’ll be flying with TAM Brazil, I used their machine to check-in before going to baggage drop. I ask one guy to teach me how to do it and it worked. I waited for my boarding pass to be printed. I am expecting a printout of two boarding passes only; Rio to Sao Paulo and Sao Paulo to Lima.
When I got my boarding passes, I went straight to the baggage drop counter, I handed over my passport and my boarding passes to the lady. She asked me if I have only one luggage for check in and I immediately answered YES with a smile. Then she tagged my bag and gave me my baggage claim stub. I double checked the stub and I was surprised that my bag was tagged directly to Cusco, Peru. Unfortunately, I will be flying to Cusco in two days because I will be spending it in Lima.
I was freaking out when I saw my baggage claim stub, I didn’t have any clothes in my hand carry, and all was packed inside my luggage. I asked the lady to re-tag my bag and have it claimed in Lima instead of Cusco. She did not do it; instead she asked her companion if I will be able to get my baggage in Lima. Her colleague simply told me, “You can get you bag in Lima”. Without any further explanation, I was very hesitant to go since what was instilled in my mind was the final destination to which your bag was tagged, that’s the time you can get your luggage. That will not work for me since I will be staying in Lima for two days before flying to Cusco.
I insisted to have my bag re-tagged and the same thing they insisted also that I will surely get my bag in Lima. So I left the counter with doubts, I was not at ease. I wanted to hand carry some shirts in case I will not get my bag in Lima, I still have clothes to change. Oh well, I told myself, I will try to ask help when I get to Sao Paulo. I boarded the plane with a pressure on my mind regarding my bag.
We arrived in Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport and it was huge. We were parked at the domestic terminal and the international terminal is quite far. My flight connection is about 3 hours so I have enough time for the transfer. When I arrived at the international terminal, I passed to LAN Peru check in counter. I immediately asked one lady regarding my luggage problem. I showed her my claim stub and she told me that I will get my bag in Cusco, Oh NO! Then I asked her to help me to re-tag my bag to Lima. She called her colleague and explained the situation, and then her colleague told us that I can get my bag in Lima. I asked her again to be sure what I heard and she confirmed that there will be no problem; I can have my bag in Lima. They did not explain to me anything, so I am still in doubt.
Not getting what I want, I went to the immigration for my exit in Brazil and immediately went to my departure gate. My mind is not at peace on the situation, I wanted to ask a staff or a fellow passenger but I don’t know why I didn’t do it. We boarded the plane, flown and arrived in Lima on time at 11pm.
I’m done with the immigration in Lima and I went straight to the baggage carousel to wait for my bag. Still more bags unclaimed but mine was not there. I asked for the in-charge of LAN Peru to inquire my situation and the guy pointed out to Counter Number 2 for LAN Peru passengers. When I arrived at the counter, I quickly asked the lady attendant regarding my bag, and she told me to go back to the conveyor. Oh no, the conveyor was not moving now. My fellow passengers already have their bags with them and only few bags were left at the conveyor, I asked the guy if that’s all the bags in our flight they have and he quickly answered YES. Mine was not there as well. I asked him where my bag is, he pointed out at Counter 2 for LAN passengers. I told him I already went there, but he told me to go back. My bag should be there.
To my delight, I have seen my medium blue hard-case bag. I was so thankful that I can claim it in Lima. I thanked the lady for not sending my bag direct to Cusco. I was overwhelmed with her response. She explained to me that in South America, all bags should be claimed by the owners at the first international arrival airport. There should be no bags directly to be transferred from International arrivals to domestic departures even if the bag is directly tagged to the domestic destination. Everything should be taken out by the passengers from international arrivals and checked-in again at the domestic departures. Oh YEAH!
I was so relieved upon knowing that. For almost 8 hours, I was thinking of my bag, yet there is just a very simple explanation that I haven’t heard of. Had I been told that explanation, I will not worry on my bag.
Honestly, this is new to me. I am a stranger to this even if I can say I have traveled a lot. I’ve been to US, to Europe and to other countries as well, I have not encountered this kind of situation. Call me ignorant on not knowing this, because I admit I am.
Maybe there are other travelers that may think the same as mine; I think this is worth sharing.
Latest posts by Henru (see all)
- 42KM @ 42 – Cebu City Marathon 2023, The CCLEX Experience - January 8, 2023
- BATAAN… Mt. Natib - June 12, 2017
- BENGUET… MT. PULAG (AMBANGEG TRAIL) - March 17, 2017