The Way We Get By

It is a lovely clear day in Miami as I prepare to fly to Buenos Aires
via Panama City. Despite the ideal condituons, I nearly managed to
sabotage my trip before it even started through some last-minute
planning.

I have a one way ticket to BA, since I'll be returning to the States
from Lima in May. Entry to Argentina is only permitted if you can
prove that you are leaving within three months - knowing this, I
booked tickets late last night/early this morning to fly from BA to
Peru and Peru to the US. Unfortunately, I waited too long to buy my
tickets to have the airline process them, so when I arrived to check
in for my flight today I couldn't prove that I would be leaving within
the three-month window. Without a return ticket, the airline wouldn't
check me in.

Luckily, the staff from Copa and Taca (the airlines I am traveling
with) were very helpful and willing to cooperate with each other. They
agreed that my un-processes reservation was enough to let me fly
today. Assuming that I don't get fined and deported by a less-
agreeable staff person in Panama or Argentina, I'd say that the
situation worked out well. No thanks to me.

And to think, up until recently, I was professional planner.