i am a bad packer. i brought 5 wool sweaters and three sweatshirts with me to the U.S. these garments ad substantial weight to my bags. i had to rearrange stuff, and carry on more than i had anticipated because my bag was over the not very generous weight limit allowed by northwest airlines. i complained about this to marleen before i got on the plane. my main gripe was that i am allowed to check two bags, each weighing up to 23 kilograms for a total of 46 kilograms. i couldn't understand why my 30 kilogram bag would not be allowed in place of two bags with a greater combined weight. marleen and her infinite wisdom suggested that it was a union regulation saying that the baggage handlers weren't allowed to lift things greater than 23 kg. that makes good sense. i understand the rationale behind such a regulation, but i still (rather selfishly) think that if i can lift a bag, then the guys hired to move luggage should be able to lift it as well. i'm not going to write a letter to them or anything, but i wish the airlines to make my travel experience more enjoyable. i also wish they would do something to reduce the impact of my bad packing habits. if you own or operate an airline and you happen to be reading this, please consider increasing baggage weight limits, and in flight ammenities. that is what i want for a christmas present.

good night,
jim

p.s. did you notice the new homepage pictures? no more black eyes.