Lalibela demonstrated the usual chaos of domestic airports. The long meandering queue outside in the hot sun just to get through security and inside the building, the random officials waving you in various different directions (often wrong), yet further queues once you have finally located the correct check-in. The chap checking me in seemed a little confused as to my destination and I nervously wondered if I would see my main luggage again as it trundled away ‘backstage’ to join all the other domestic baggage heading off to various other places. Another queue ensued to go through the main security and into departures. Sigh. The same process each time – shoes off, belts off, coats off, empty your pockets, no liquids etc....the usual stuff at most airports and travellers should know the routine now but no, it seems that the group in front of us were unaware of this and I groaned outwardly as I watched each person wait until they reached the radar machines before taking off everything they needed. “You’d think they’d get ready ahead of time” I moaned loudly to my travel companion. “It’s taking 2 minutes per person” she noted “At this rate we’ll never make the flight”. “I once flew with a group around Chile which involved taking lots of internal flights “ I told her, in an even louder voice, “and each time one of the group had a penknife or some sort of banned item in their hand luggage – honestly!”.
We finally crawled to the machines – all ready and prepared and feeling just a little smug. STOP! The security lady hauled my bag off and a guard asked to go through the contents. Immediately I felt a sense of rising panic, what had I missed? Triumphantly he held up a large penknife for all to see. A penknife which I had just that morning decided to re-pack in a different stuff sack that in a last minute fight for space, I had then placed in my hand luggage. “You are travelling with a knife in your hand luggage?!!!!” he proclaimed loudly so that the entire departures hall heard. I was mortified and apologised profusely hoping that they would just chuck the knife in the plastic box they usually kept at airports to show how many other silly people there were and let me on my way, keeping a low profile. The guard looked at me and instead of agreeing with my expressions of stupidity said “You are not silly at all. Now where is your main luggage?” To my amazement, I was rushed through the boarding gate and out to the plane where the handlers were still loading bags onto our flight. I described my bag and they actually started unpacking the luggage in the hope of locating it. However (and slightly disconcertingly) it was nowhere to be seen. “No matter” the guard announced “Let me find the pilot”. By this stage the passengers were beginning to board and I could see them eyeing me suspiciously in case I delayed their flight. The captain was located on the tarmac and the guard explained the situation. The captain smiled, took my penknife and said “Remember to ask for it when we get to Addis”.
I couldn’t believe it. Such superior service for a poor old penknife. I boarded the plane and endured a red-faced walk of shame to the back row. On reaching Addis I was indeed reunited with my penknife – and, I am happy to say, my main bag as well. Hats off to Ethiopian Airlines and their ground staff for such amazing service. And a huge slap in the face for the cocky proclaimations and smug comments from myself. I’ll be a nervous wreck the next time I fly though....
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