I've mentioned in previous stories that I constantly find myself in various situations during my travels. It's nerve-wracking and stressful, but at the same time, it's an adventure that leads to crazy experiences and stories by the end. These are the stories I usually share with everyone heading overseas so they don't end up in the same trouble. Those who read my past blogs might remember the missed train, the long bus ride, debt, various illnesses, and that was just the first year:)

This year, after New York, I decided to visit my old friend Weldon, who once taught me the craft of cooking from scratch. I'll never forget the first time I walked into the kitchen and he pointed out that my shoes were unsuitable and slippery, and later showed me how to hold a knife properly. Yes, I had been holding a knife wrong my whole life. Actually, everyone holds it wrong. But that's not the point.

My flight was to Miami with a 3-hour layover, where I planned to walk around the airport. Why not? My luggage was already being transferred from plane to plane. But that's where the adventures began.

It all started in New York, while I was sitting calmly on the plane waiting for takeoff. The flight was delayed a bit, but then it moved to the runway, taxied around, and then went back to the gate. They announced there were technical issues and we had to wait. That's when it hit me. I couldn't remember where my laptop was. I checked my carry-on, and it wasn't there!

I just ran to the gate without listening to the flight attendants, shouting that I'd forgotten my laptop. Technically, you're not supposed to leave the plane after boarding. Who knows what you might have left inside?

It turned out I had taken the laptop out at the security checkpoint, which was half an airport away. Dying of breathlessness, I barely made it there. Of course, it wasn't there anymore. I asked, almost shouting: "Did you see a laptop? I forgot it about 30 minutes ago..." A young African-American man, for whom the situation was apparently routine, just opened a small safe, checked it, and asked if there was anything on it. Well, yes. It had a gray, wool-like folder on it. I explained that to him, and he handed me my laptop. I couldn't believe my eyes!

I ran back to the plane just as frantically and sat in my seat, but it turned out my running was in vain. We sat for another 20 minutes, and then they announced that something was really wrong and the flight would be delayed for another 3 hours. They asked, "Could you please leave the plane? We're going to get it fixed!" It was unpleasant, of course. At the gate, a representative from American Airlines was bombarded with questions about what to do with connecting flights, which we would obviously miss. She just said there was a small chance, but we could go and change them.

They advised calling a special number. But that number told me my ticket status hadn't changed yet, so I couldn't change it. They said to go and change it at the airport exit where I checked in. I went out, and there was a giant line. I tapped into my inner troublemaker and started complaining to the manager about why I had to stand in line because of the company's mistakes. We had a tense conversation, but he said there was nothing he could do. Eventually, another manager approached me and took me through the VIP line. They changed my ticket in 5 minutes. Only now, instead of New York-Miami-Austin (Texas), it was New York-Miami-Dallas (Texas)-Austin (Texas). Given that the transit between Dallas and Austin and the flight time were minimal, it wasn't too bad. But I did have to wait for the plane to be fixed in Miami. And I had quite a long wait there.

I had to go through security again (this time I double-checked everything. Yes, I didn't lose the laptop again.) You understand, right, that you have to be careful with these things? Because, for example, in my country, they don't ask you to take out laptops at security. But in America, at every X-ray, you have to take out electronic devices and put them in a separate bin. It gets tiring, right.

Returning to my gate, I found tired passengers for my flight, as well as plenty of snacks and drinks.

Well, that's better than nothing. I know some airlines even provide hotel rooms in case of a major delay. For the Americans, it's kind of "depends," but my case wasn't that bad. At least they gave us food. We waited for the plane, and in about 2-3 hours, we boarded and flew to Miami.

So, here's the reality. I don't know how it is with other airlines, but regarding American Airlines (and most likely others are the same), if your flight is delayed and you miss your connection because of it, don't panic. First, just call the internal number and try to change your ticket. If you're in the same situation as me, go to the ticket counter at the exit and change your tickets to the next available one. Yes, it won't be the most convenient flight, but what can you do? You can make a bit of a scene, and perhaps they'll give you more perks. For example, they took me through the VIP line, but if it's a long delay, they should give you more, of course.

By the way, the adventures didn't end there.

Miami.

I arrived in Miami around 12 AM (here, 12 midnight is called 12 AM. Get used to it.) So, my flight was at 5:30 AM. The airport was empty, except for those closing the gate behind me and handing over my luggage. I calmly made sure my luggage was sent to Dallas instead of Austin, and then went to the airport roof to enjoy the view. Unfortunately, it was pointless to go into the city since it was night.

After about 1.5-2 hours of wandering around the multi-story parking lot and the empty airport, I discovered something terrible! I had lost my passport.. Yes, I can't have a peaceful journey. There must be adventures, stories, etc.

I remembered that I left my passport and portable charger in the seat pocket on the plane. I rushed to the American Airlines representatives at the baggage claim. They said they couldn't help. The flight crew had already left, closed the plane, and wouldn't return until morning: "Lost and Found opens at 6 AM, come back then." My shouting that I was flying out at 5:30 didn't get any intelligible answer other than shrugs. I went to call the internal airline phone. A kind man there told me he understood and wanted to help. He also said that besides Lost and Found, there was another way. Closer to 4 AM, the airport crew and various managers start arriving, and some of them might have keys to the planes. You just need to find the right people.

Closer to 4, I saw a rather respectable man and woman who looked like salvation. I approached them and explained the whole situation. My "saviors" disappeared for about 1.5 hours. For those 1.5 hours, I was going crazy. They seemed to go where they needed to. And these were the people I needed. But who knows? The flight crew could have taken the passport during cleaning and put it somewhere else. And then there would be only one way - to send it by mail to Montana. But that's not great.

After 1.5 hours, the woman called me and told me where to meet her. She ran over, checked another ID for identity, and then gave me my passport and charger. I was honestly in shock.

She grabbed my hand, took me through the first-class security to be faster, and then put me on a luggage cart and drove me all the way to my gate, where my boarding was supposed to start in about 20 minutes. While we were riding, she told me about her family. She said her son is also a creative person and constantly loses everything. She gave me advice on how to get rid of that. It was nice to talk to her, especially when everything had passed and relief had set in...

These people's names are Sharon and Eddie. They are my heroes. Heroes who didn't need anything. They were just doing their job.

After that, I flew to Dallas calmly. I spent literally 20 minutes there, and from there, it was a 40-minute flight to the final destination, Austin. Yes. A long, but such an interesting and instructive journey.