I'm heading to Seattle in a couple hours. Bags packed, I've completed my run for the day, and getting ready to drive away. I've got my things packed in two bags, along with a number of prizes for the SQLServerCentral party tonight.

A few years ago I was in the same situation, heading out on Monday with bags packed. I had a bag of clothes and prizes, and a carry on with my laptop. I arrived in Seattle, and walked to get my bags. It was slow, so I waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Eventually I realized that I was one of a couple people on my flight from Denver. It's a direct flight, two hours, so what could have gone wrong. Apparently my bag didn't get on the flight.

I'm not sure why, but that's stressful. At the time SQLServerCentral was independent, and I had about $2000 worth of prizes that year. Andy met me and said not to worry, especially as we had another day (the party was Tues that year). Worse case, we'd lose $2000 for the party and absorb it as a business loss.

I sweated a little as we checked in and wandered around the convention center. I checked my phone every 10 minutes for a missed call from the airline. Eventually I headed back to the hotel and had a few beers. I finally got a call at 8 or 9 that my bag was being brought to the hotel.

I still couldn't relax until I got the bag and checked everything inside. I had visions of the TSA of baggage handlers absconding with DVDs and other prizes. They didn't, and things went well.

Since then I've typically purchased all prizes in the city that PASS is being held. I go a day early and spend $2000 at Best Buy. This year that won't work as I'm stuck in Seattle until Saturday, and have SQL Connections the following week, so an extra day on the road isn't something I'm willing to do.

So I'm heading to the airport, fingers crossed, with two bags to check that have prizes split up. That way I hope I'll have at least half the things I need when I get there.