the airport disaster...

setting: Denver International Airport
time: 7:40 pm
Gate:C30
departure time: 8:35 pm

Everything went fine as I arrived at the airport after a nice three day visit with my dad, age 94. Security went fine, put my shoes on, and headed to the trains and concourse C.
I looked at the board to determine my gate and made a stop at TCBY for a $4 (one scoop) bowl of ice cream. I made my way to gate C 30 - clear at the end of the concourse.
I had about 3-4 bites of ice cream when I decided to call Camille to make sure she knew my plane would be on time.
WHAT!? WHERE IS MY CELL PHONE??
A quick check of my bag (not my purse, but a rectangular shoulder bag with outside pockets) confirmed it was gone! I ran my mind over my last steps and thought of places it could have been misplaced. I didn't think it was in JD's car, I thought I saw it as I placed my stuff in the security bins. All day Sunday my glasses and cell phone had been in the mesh side pocket of the bag, normally used for a water bottle. I recalled setting the bag down on the floor after going through security so I could put my shoes on. I couldn't even call JD - he likely was not home yet and I did not have his cell number memorized!!
So a kindly fellow traveler suggested I get the airline counter staff to call Lost and Found for me. Great idea! It was now 7:55 pm - plane to leave at 8:35 pm
She found the number after some searching, and let me describe the phone to the Lost and Found attendant. After a few moments I heard the good news that it was there!! I was told how to get out of the 'incoming traveler doors' so I could get back to the checkpoint without having to go through security again. I quickly asked the counter staff if they thought I could make it for my 8:35 flight. She said "what flight? We are not gong to SLC!! You need to be at gate C 35!!"
Yikes - my eyesight has failed me again!
I quickly made my way to C 35 and told the attendant I was here, going back to get my phone and to please not leave without me. She said, "you'll never make it and no we cannot hold the plane for you!" I begged her, asked her to pay attention to her conscience and please hold the plane and I told her "I'll make it!"
So I walked as fast as I could to the escalator to the trains, hauling my rolling luggage and my shoulder bag, computer and all.
The train had to stop at concourses B, A, and the main terminal. It was a really quick trip - so far this is great!
I followed the instructions to wait for the incoming passenger doors to open and went through them to the checkpoint entry - seeing only two down escalators and one long flight of stairs. I hiked up the stairs, hauling my bags. At the top I hollered to the attendant, "where's Lost and Found?"
He pointed me to my right and said, "looks like he just stepped away."
So I go over to the tall counter, wander to the side, stick my head in a doorway to an office. One TSA person was in there, looking at a computer. I asked him if he was Lost and Found. He came out and mumbled that he was not, but sometimes helped with Lost and Found out in the city.

I quickly explained that I lost my cell phone at the checkpoint and they had told me it was there at lost and found, a red flip phone. He turned to a bin behind the counter and pulled it right out.
Hooray!! "That's my phone!" I said.
He then grabbed a huge clipboard with 2 inches of paper and said he had to check it off as being picked up. He couldn't find the listing, I kept saying I had an 8:30 plane to catch and he was having nothing to do with just giving me the phone and he was all about protocol.

So I finally put on my glasses and looked at the page with him. I spotted the entry "Sanyo/ cell phone" and I exclaimed, "here it is!"
I grabbed the pen, sort of signed my name, and he handed me the phone.
I flew back to the escalators to the trains and waited a minute to board, saying a little prayer.
I made it to Concourse C in pretty good time, 8:17 to be exact!

I hauled my stuff back up two escalators, walked quickly to C 35 and noticed there were NO passengers waiting to board. I hurried to the door and gave my boarding pass to the attendant. He seemed surprised but happy that I was there. I hurriedly got on the plane, and the flight attendant said there was some bin space in bin 7 or 8. We got my bag up there and I sat down in row 9.

I made it and it was only 8:20 or 8:22 pm!!

I think I had just pulled a Camille - boarding the plane at the very last minute! Tense but what a relief!

I think, but will never know since I didn't wait to ask where it was found, that the phone slipped out of the side pocket when I laid my bag down to put on my shoes. A phone is heavier than glasses and that much inertia from laying the bag down propelled it out of the mesh pocket, onto the floor. My guess anyway.
Thoughts of having to spend another night in Denver, calling JD to come back to get me, re-booking a flight out - maybe waiting a whole day for an open seat, all were forefront in my mind as I raced against time with prayers and hope. I think everything that fell into place was a blessing - I did get the phone and I made my plane. And I was sure to use the plane restroom since there was no time before boarding.

Lessons I learned:

• Store cell phones in a secure tight compartment like a jeans pocket, or zippered purse, or similarly designed cell phone spot – NOT a loose open top pocket on the outside of the bag
• Keep a list in your wallet or bag of important cell and home numbers of family and others you might need to contact in an emergency or other cell phone disaster
• Prayers are indeed answered
• You can go back to the security checkpoint without having to go back through security

As a side note, I must tell you that I tossed my ice cream bowl as I began my race back to the checkpoint - could not be encumbered holding one more thing. I figure each bite cost me a dollar. But I got very few calories in that treat! bonus!

I guess this post should be titled Airport Disaster - almost.