Barefoot & Passportless

September 10, 2009

in Airport Stories

I was flying from Portland OR to Puerto Vallarta last November and I had a layover in Phoenix. Our connecting flight was on the opposite end of the airport from where we had landed, and we were scheduled to board in 30 minutes. We walk about 20 minutes to the other end of the airport and take a breather outside of our gate. I start looking through my bag to get some change to go buy a soda and realize that my passport is not there. We quickly rummage through every single pocket, purse, and bag searching for the lost passport. My next thought was to simply call the gate on the other end of the airport where we had landed to see if they had found it. Upon answering, the lady said that there was no passport found. I then gave her my seat number and had her search. Again, she said that she had not found any passport.

It is now 15 minutes until final boarding and I start to feel the anxiety of potentially cancelling the trip. I take off running to the other end of the airport barefoot due to my genius of only bringing flip-flops. I run across metal grades and dodge kids flying home to see their parents on Thanksgiving. I finally get to the gate, out of breath, and ask to search the plane personally for my passport. After some persuasion, the flight crew let me, and sure enough sitting right there on my seat in plain sight was my passport. After a few choice words and evil glares I notice that I only have 6 minutes until boarding. I take off running again, passport firmly gripped in one hand, my flip-flops in the other. I get back to the gate dripping in sweat, out of breath and with my feet blistered and bloodied simply because the flight crew was too lazy to take the time to help a customer in need. I looked at my girlfriend at the time and said: “Hey baby, I like to make things interesting. Lets go to Mexico!” I limped onto the plane for a memorable vacation that started with a bang.

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

saw September 10, 2009 at 7:55 pm

You're very nice. If it were me, the blood from my feet would be on somebody's uniform…

Reply

Aaron September 11, 2009 at 10:00 am

It's just like you were in the Philadelphia airport given the lack of employee helpfulness.

Reply

Marta September 11, 2009 at 3:44 pm

Let me guess US Air right?

Reply

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