Busted luggage at 4:30am!

[Suzi Q]

This is hilarious NOW but wasn't at 4:30 am!
Just stayed Nov 11-19, Pop Century, had a wonderful time, my 30th trip, until the very last minute...picture the ME bus coming at 4:30 am..I just HAD to stuff one more thing in my suitcase...and the zipper fell completely off! My sis on ground frantically trying to fix it, I run to the front desk and the young cast member tells me they won't ship my stuff home (they ship everything else, what the heck?) and gets the guy at the luggage check in (which doesn't even open til 5 but someone is there, go figure)..who tells me to take my bag to the wrapping station at MCO. Ok, I've wondered about those people coming into the resort with what looks to be saran-wrapped luggage..aha. That'll work. Now that we've entertained the entire bus with my luggage drama, the bus driver kindly stations my luggage so that my undies don't go flying all over the place...get to MCO..there is NO wrapping station at that airport! (rrrrr aren't those airport check-in guys either TSA or airline employees that should know what they are talking about?) So I throw myself on the mercy of Airtran employee who finds me a massive bag and packing tape..i go off to the side and entertain that line while i tape tape tape up my 30'' suitcase (not as easy as it looks!) and Airtran gets my bag home all in one piece - simply amazing! i had been so panicked - what can I do at 4:30am, not like i can run into the store and buy one. Next time I'm packing duct tape just in case...!
Suzi

[Tink1]

I always travel with duct tape! Friends made fun of me on a cruise because I had brought it. The last full cruise day, the husband shows up at the door rather sheepishly. His daughters suitcase ripped and can he please have the duct tape. Needless to say he has never lived it down.

I have used it to hold a hem up in a hurry, remove lint from black pants, fix a curling iron and hold closet doors in place during rough seas.

They make flat packaged duct tape now that you can pack easily (that is always in my makeup case) but I always have a full roll as well!

Glad you were able to get your luggage secured!

Nanc

[Hair_Razor]

Oh that's terrible! I am always worried about that. I have seen some bags come off the belt with clothes falling out! That would stink, So glad you were able to make it work!

[brad192]

Sounds like you were right on top of it! Corgrats to the improvisational solution!

Life's an adventure! Isn't it fun?

Oh, and I'm definately travelling with duct tape from now on!

[TinkerbellsMom]

Love the duct tape idea...it's on my packing list for our April cruise! Luckily, someone came through to help you! A couple of trips ago our suitcases zipper went, but luckily it happened during the week we were there and I had time to go buy "Mickey Mouse" luggage straps. Now we never travel without them.

[faline]

I always travel with duct tape!

Sounds like this might be one more item to add to my packing list! As I was reading the original poster's adventure, I had bungie cords in my head but duct tape might be a better solution!

To the original poster: You've now got a great "Adventures in Travel" story which I suspect will be repeated many times throughout the years!!!

[hoop de do]

Duct tape and the old Safety Pin is a must.
Just in case another kind of zipper breaks.

[Renfairwedding]

I pack duct tape and wire ties every time I travel and keep some in each car.

Great for luggage emergencies and decorating a EWC for the MNSHP!