You hear the stories, you cringe at the thought, you deny it will happen to you…and then it does.
Before boarding my flight from Paris to Houston, I went shopping in the Duty Free liquor store to see if 
perhaps they would have the yummy champagne, Ruinart, I had at Durand Dupont Drugstore. Julia thought they probably would. She would know. She’s a world-traveling diva! She was right they had it.
You need to understand that Ruinart is the oldest Champagne house, exclusively producing champagne since 1729. And, it’s good. Really good. I thought it would be a great gift to surprise my hubby with. The price was a lot less than the $89 per bottle that Julia’s boyfriend found in DC.
Julia assured me that carrying it on the plane would not be a problem as I was actually buying it in the airport and they pack and seal it well. I bought my bottle and felt so happy with my purchase.
Thinking nothing of it when we went through customs, baggage pick-up, baggage re-check and, finally, security in Houston, I put my neatly packed bottle on the conveyor belt to be scanned. Honestly, I was absolutely sure my Rene Furterer Complexe 5 was going to be taken so I was not surprised when they called for a bag check on my items. But it wasn’t the hair product. No, it was the champagne.
“You can’t take liquids on the plane, mama.”
Well, I know that but I bought it in the airport…and, it’s packed and sealed.
“It’s been a law for several years now.”
Yes…and? I bought it IN the airport. I was told I could carry it on!
“You were suppose to put it into your luggage downstairs. You’ll need to go check it.”
Check it?! I have no time for that. My plane leaves in 30 minutes and this is a BIG airport…
Finally, with tears in my eyes, I tell her to have a party on me with my wonderful champagne. I was so flustered and sad!
The TSA security agent was so sweet. She tells me she wants me to have it but, she can’t unless I box it and check it or check my carry-on in. (She’s feeling sorry for me now.) Otherwise, it gets tossed. Well, that did it for me. If no one was going to enjoy it then I had better make an effort, time restrictions and all.
In the end, I did end up checking my carry-on, leaving random belongings of mine with Christine and Erika just so I could make room for the bottle. The security agent tells me to take my boarding pass and ID and leave the rest with my friends. I am very obedient. She is trying to help me get my champagne home and catch my flight.
As swift as can be, she wisks me to the Gold Member ticket counter and tells the agent I need to check my bag. Well, guess what? It’s a $25 fee for my second bag. Now, mind you, you are allowed 2 bags free for international flights but since I was checking mine domestically, I had to pay. Guess where my wallet was? With Erika.
The TSA security employee runs to try and stop the group. They have proceeded to the gate. Ms. TSA comes back to me and without a word, whips out her MasterCard and PAYS for my extra baggage fee. YES, you read that right! My hero! I mean, who does that? NOBODY does that!
Apparently, a very special TSA security employee, whom I then learned was named Carla M, does. I gave her the biggest hug ever, dried my tears (I was seriously touched by this act!). I had NO TIME to write down her name or address (I barely made my plane!!) but I promised to toast her with the champagne and never speak poorly of TSA again (she made me promise).
“To Carla, a woman with a beautiful heart! Thank you!” and…if you email me your address, I’d love to return your $25! Better yet, TSA, give her a big fat raise! She deserves it for being a good person!
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