Running a business that trains professionals who work in the oil, natural gas,
power and green energy markets requires an energy reserve of one’s own. I
founded this business back in 1991, and travel at least twice a month, mostly
internationally.
Early in my career, I was the only woman in a group of five colleagues. It was
my first business trip to visit a petroleum client in Caracas, Venezuela. I had
checked in two pieces of luggage: a suitcase and a cosmetics bag.
Sure enough, while everyone else’s luggage arrived at baggage claim, my luggage
was in parts unknown. After filing my claim at the airport, I had to make a
detour and shop for clothes right before the meeting.
All I could find were spike-heeled sandals and a flowery dress. Because I am
fair-skinned, the local cosmetics palette was just a bit too dark for me. It was
also too flashy. Orange lipstick and glittery eye makeup were my only choices.
For a woman trying to impress a client, my worst nightmares had come true. I
looked as if I were headed off to a nightclub instead of a meeting with an
important oil executive.
Fortunately, everyone was too polite to stare at me more than once.
Two days later, the security detail showed up at the hotel with a big garbage
bag.
In my best Spanish, I asked what had happened. They said it had been found on
the tarmac. My bags had fallen off the cart, and they claimed they had been run
over by an airplane.
Since then, things have gotten slightly better.
But then there was the chocolate caper.
I fly quite a bit between our Oxford, Princeton and Singapore regional offices.
Last December, I carried 25 pounds of handmade chocolates to our Oxford
employees.
Unfortunately, airline security turned into the Grinch. They wanted to
confiscate the sweets, saying the jelly content in the load of chocolate I was
carrying exceeded my liquids limit.
Just as security was about to grab my confections, I saw a woman who had checked
me in and flagged her for help.
She simply said she would take them and when I returned to the States I could
collect them.
When I returned to the United States, I began my search. However, the airline I
flew operated only a few flights each day. And the person I gave the chocolates
to wasn’t working. An official told me I’d have to return to the airport two
days later. Only then could someone retrieve my sweets.
I did come back. And amazingly someone did find my boxes, all of which were
intact. Needless to say, I didn’t share the bounty with anyone at the airport.
I consider myself a seasoned traveler. Few things bother me. But we all have a
line that shouldn’t be crossed.
For me, it’s quite simple. Don’t separate me from my cosmetics. And don’t take
my chocolates.
Next year, I’ll even do my part. No more jelly-filled chocolates. I’ll buy the
solids. But who knows? Maybe they will be too heavy.
By Clara Lippert Glenn, as told to Joan Raymond.
E-mail: joan.raymond@nytimes.com
