It was a typical traveling day in the tropics. Well bronzed tourists getting ready to board their flights back home, lingering in the airport; in two minds about extending their time in paradise or getting back to the "real world". New arrivals scurrying through immigration eager to get their vacation started. I too was anxious to get beyond the hustle and bustle of the airport. I was looking forward to meeting some of the members of the group to whom I would be speaking. They were already at the hotel reviewing last minute details for the meeting. As I sauntered towards the baggage carousel I was pleased to see that it wasn't crowded. Before long I would have my bags and be on my way. As it turned out, I was among the last to leave the airport more than two hours later. Apparently the baggage handlers went on strike shortly after we landed. The impact of their strike was that the entire system for that airline was crippled.