YoProWithAGoPro

Christmas Travel Story

So, I booked a direct flight from CMH-DEN to return home after Christmas on 12/28 (WGA for $370 oneway, argh).

Figured it was a routine flight, so I showed up about 8:30am and departure time was 9:30am (CMH is tiny) arriving at 11am.

My girlfriend packed my carry-on bag the prior evening and was kind enough to pack a butchers block of knives that I received as a gift. This led to a fantastic encounter with the TSA agent at security. I wound up being escorted to the curb and not allowed to re-enter the airport until my girlfriend returned and picked up the box of knives. This left my scrambling to make it back through security and to my gate. I arrived at 9:25am and the plane had already pulled out!

The flight left before it's scheduled departure time, which caused me to miss the Broncos game where I had suite tickets with my departments VP. I also had to fly to BWI and wait around for a couple hours until I made it back to Denver around 5pm.

What would you all do in this situation? Any advice would be appreciated.

p.s. I understand I should have been better prepared and arrived earlier, but the flight left before its scheduled departure time.

BerenErchamion

When they say "doors close ten minutes before departure," they're not kidding.

Doc Savage

I'd pack my own bags.

I'd also probably have just ditched the knives so I could catch my flight, or checked the bag.

jb3t

+1

This is not WN's fault.

nsx

The Listening Center flagged you as one of the people complaining on FlyerTalk about all the late flights. They sent a note to the gate telling them to be sure to leave early so as to impress you.

Just kidding...

Not much you can do about this one except change girlfriends.

Doc Savage

...but be careful when you dump her. You already know she's packing knives.

Tanic

Just be glad she didn't pack your 9mm too.

sleasure

Could the OP simply opt to check the bag? Will TSA allow knives in a checked bag?

FindAWay

This.

Sorry, OP, but this is not limited to WN.

OP - you no-showed for your flight. Was WN kind enough to allow you to fly on a later flight without charging you for it (flat tire type sympathy)?

If so, then I think they did the best you could expect in your situation.

olouie

Yeah never let others pack for you.
But you could easily have asked to check your bag as well no? You can't carry knives on but usually checking them is ok.

Timlat

you probably could have checked the bag. Bags fly free on Southwest.

toomanybooks

What is so "fantastic" about being denied the right to take butcher knives into the plane? Seems rather ordinary. TSA won't let me take cheese on.

Did you know the knives were in your carryon?

If not, well, there's a reason you sometimes get asked if you packed your own bags.

CDKing

I think a complaint to TSA may be warranted, Not sure why they didn't escort you to the check in counter so you can check your bag. I'm assuming at this point you had already missed baggage cut off anyways

olouie

TSA is really terrible. I bought a burrito outside security which had chopped by tomato inside of it (mild salsa) and a small container but over 3 ounces of same salsa, not watery at all. They refused to let me though with the container of salsa. Claimed that tomatoes were a liquid. Funny part? They said a full uncut tomato would be a solid. Sigh ... Our tax dollars at work.

Next up. Rice pudding? Liquid. Chocolate pudding? Solid!
Basically TSA agents make up rules on the fly.

Nirvana91

Sounds to me like everything played out exactly how it should have. There is no advice to give. Nothing you should do except be thankful that you made it to your destination at all.