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Forgot your passport? Here's a way out!
En route to the Dominican Republic last week, I did something I've never done before: I forgot my passport. I was already out of Manhattan, deep into Queens, and turning back simply wasn't an option. I panicked. There was no reason for me to forget my passport, something I haven't done in a dozen years of travel as a professional. As I do for every trip, I put my wallet, keys and passport on top of my laptop the night before ... so I wouldn't forget them. I noticed the pile of stuff not to forget the next morning and immediately recognized it as such.
Nonetheless, seated in the backseat of the town car, I realize I'd done what should have been impossible given my insane system. The driver turned his head shortly after I yelled, "Crap!" as one would expect him to do. I repeated the expletive a few times before telling him why. I must not be the first person to have made this mistake in his car, because the driver, from Tel Aviv Limo quickly came up with the perfect solution.
He instructed me to call for a new car and explain the situation. They would send a vehicle to my apartment, where my friend would meet them with my passport. Then, the driver would head out to JFK airport, where I'd be waiting in the departure area with the fare for the trip and an incredibly generous tip (I wound up paying close to 100 percent for this service).
Even before I could raise the suggestion, the driver shot down the notion of turning around and going back to my apartment. It would take too much time, he noted, as we'd have to go out and back. With his proposal, a car already in Manhattan could just shoot straight out to JFK. As if I needed another reason, I saw the Queens traffic heading into the city and knew that turning around would mean fighting rush hour. If I made my flight, I'd do it as a bundle of nerves.
Less than an hour from the moment I hurled obscenities at myself, my bag and my passport, I had my documents in hand and was ready to check in. The driver was in touch with me before reaching my apartment (to make sure someone would be there), when he left (to let me know he was en route) and at the departures area (to tell me he had arrived).
The situation unfolded perfectly, but it isn't universally applicable. I wouldn't try this with a taxi, for example. I wouldn't even have someone hail a cab and drop my stuff in the backseat to be delivered to me. The taxi option is just too fluid. To make it work, it helps to have just taken a town car to the airport, though I suspect you could have a car service deliver your passport even if you drove, took public transportation or hailed a cab.
Stupidity may be problematic, but it doesn't have to be a deal-breaker. If you forget something important for your trip – so important that you're willing to shell out some serious cash to fix the situation – you now have a solution at your fingertips. Of course the smarter move is to get it right the first time ...
Even before I could raise the suggestion, the driver shot down the notion of turning around and going back to my apartment. It would take too much time, he noted, as we'd have to go out and back. With his proposal, a car already in Manhattan could just shoot straight out to JFK. As if I needed another reason, I saw the Queens traffic heading into the city and knew that turning around would mean fighting rush hour. If I made my flight, I'd do it as a bundle of nerves.
Less than an hour from the moment I hurled obscenities at myself, my bag and my passport, I had my documents in hand and was ready to check in. The driver was in touch with me before reaching my apartment (to make sure someone would be there), when he left (to let me know he was en route) and at the departures area (to tell me he had arrived).
The situation unfolded perfectly, but it isn't universally applicable. I wouldn't try this with a taxi, for example. I wouldn't even have someone hail a cab and drop my stuff in the backseat to be delivered to me. The taxi option is just too fluid. To make it work, it helps to have just taken a town car to the airport, though I suspect you could have a car service deliver your passport even if you drove, took public transportation or hailed a cab.
Stupidity may be problematic, but it doesn't have to be a deal-breaker. If you forget something important for your trip – so important that you're willing to shell out some serious cash to fix the situation – you now have a solution at your fingertips. Of course the smarter move is to get it right the first time ...
Filed under: Dominican Republic, Caribbean
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
bunny May 25th 2010 4:50PM
With all due respects, your advice would NOT work for me or my family: we live over an hour away from the nearest international airport!!!
I think the BEST advice is to put your housekeys, passport, wallet and flight info [e-ticket printout or paper tickets] into a ziplock baggie and pin or staple or tack it to the wall next to the front door [inside your home of course!!!] ....... then you can't leave without your important items!!!
Of course this does require planning & organization.......
brad May 25th 2010 6:08PM
I've already posted earlier but have had a very boring day! Out of curiousity about this "advertisement" which is basically is, I googled messenger service, not bored enough to find out how much they charge but I'm sure a heck of a lot less than a town car with its passenger being your passport. They have non stop rates to deliver anytime 24 / 7 and usually are on motorcycles that weave in and out of traffic so that would be sufficient! Still have to have someone with a key obviously to go to your place and retrieve your passport to give it to them.
Although I like the idea of asking a friend or relative for the favor and returning it with a nice dinner or night out!
Jane Blase May 25th 2010 6:16PM
Since my first trip, I have carried a Xerox copy of my passport with me in my wallet. Have the copy noterized....and then have your real passport delivered to you at your destination by FedEx or another reliable company. Worked for me! Dr. B. (Even overseas!)
BJ May 25th 2010 7:23PM
Sounds like the only way this works (most all options) is if there is this "friend" waiting to be called to get into the house and hand the passport to the car service. Couldn't that friend deliver the passport to the forgetful bud at the airport? I realize not everyone in NYC has a car, but I wager more have a car than a car service :-)
Mark May 25th 2010 8:01PM
We should all thank King David, apparently anyone can be a King. You don't have to know how to read or write, or even have the mental capacity of an adult to be king. The writer didnt bitch about paying 100 percent for the service, he only said that he did. An article is an inanimate object and can't be smart or stupid. I could call you stupid because you are not an inanimate object, and you don't know how to read or write. What is a freebe? Is that a word that you made up while watching cartoons? What is the purpose of three question marks at the end of the article? Does that mean that you're more confused than normal?
MIKE May 25th 2010 9:11PM
Michael: The dominicans do care about papers very much, I visited and had to show my passport .and a visa issued by the NY consulate to get in.
A better idea for everyone is keep a copy of 1/2 on your suitcase at all times. I do just nin case its lost or stolen at the country I may be visiting, the consul will be able to help faster.
abbyvlle May 25th 2010 9:44PM
The last time a limo was going to take me to the airport I noticed some dirt on the floor. Can you imagine. I was livid. I will never use that limo company and I suggest that nobody else use's them either.
Sandy May 25th 2010 11:57PM
You are so correct, and very funny too! Thanks for your comments.
Mei May 26th 2010 12:48AM
Might be a good idea but not for the "ordinary" person that does not have unlimited funds to deal with forgetting a passport. I guess that since I am poor, the first thing that I put in my purse is my passport.
Poalua May 26th 2010 12:50AM
Youmust be so very special that a little dirt on the floor upset you. What happened dearie? Forget to watch where you were walking and track it into the car? Dirt on the floor,? I am speechless that you claim to be livid... ROFLMAO
Boston Blackie May 26th 2010 1:00AM
Michael
How do you plan to just walk back from Mexico? Those days are gone you need either a passport or an official id card issued by the US government. Guess it has been a while since you walked into or out of Mexico.
Rich May 26th 2010 1:03AM
This story reminded me of a similar but not identical situation.
I'm an automotive and travel journalist and was in Detroit back in December to attend a program at Ford in Dearborn. I also wanted to take a drive into Canada to photograph a vintage Camaro outside of Toronto on this same trip and right after I picked my rental car up at the Detroit airport I realized I didn't have my passport which due to the change in regulations, would be needed to cross the US/Canadian border.
While my original plan was to drive halfway to Toronto that afternoon, I had to revise my plans after cuirsing myself out for being so stupid.
At that point it was already 5 PM in Detroit on a Friday but only 2 PM in California where I live. Thankfully three things fell into place. First, my next door neighbor watches my dog so she has a key to my house. Second, I knew exactly where my passport was located on my desk. I called her, confirmed that she had my passport. Next I called FedEx and arranged for a pickup with a first Saturday delivery to the FedEx station near the Detroit airport. For about $30, my passport arrived at 8:45 AM on Saturday and I was on my way.
Moral to the story, like this one, is don't panic, think rationally, and more often than not, you'll come up with a solution.
And the guy who invented FedEx was a genius.
Safe travels,
Rich Truesdell
Read my blog at automotivetraveler.com
Dale May 26th 2010 1:34AM
I agree. This is of little use to the average traveler. Does the writer really think that we all live like that? Once you get outside of the urban/suburban sprawl, there are no taxis or town cars. And handing your passport over to a stranger, some random employee, is not a good idea.
Bud Maxwell May 26th 2010 2:16AM
So, how did Lindsey Lohan get back into this country having "lost" her passport?
Simple, just have a judge issue a warrant for you at whatever destination you are going to. LOL
steve May 26th 2010 4:22AM
When are these hack "reporters" going to stop spewing out this obvious "crap" intended as an advertisement. Lately it seems like quite a few of these articles are nothing more than an advertisement!
doc May 26th 2010 5:50AM
Pickings must be mightly slim in journalism these days if one has to write about such a stupid topic.
-2nd limo picks up and goes to airport.
-a dear friend who will get a great dinner does same.
-your mom drives out with it.
In your case I think you need Mom to bring it to you and tell you
how dumb you are.
Cliff May 26th 2010 6:08AM
once again a self important media clown forgets some thing and now wants to lecture us. I am from New York as well but I would never think of putting up such garbage as a how to manifesto these people really need to get out more I actually would like them to leave my city permanently so maybe he could forget something and get stuck in DR
Zeyad May 26th 2010 6:39AM
the whole article is a simple commercial, not worth printing as a heading one case of a hundred and even the solution not set out wright. codv called the friend whos allready in the house and workout even faster
Unexpected Traveller May 27th 2010 2:39PM
Fair solution - if you need to travel and need a passport though, you'd have to end up applying for a new one ... and foreign passport offices may not be as useful or friendly as the ones back home: http://wp.me/ppqxP-T