Not calling BS on the story, but how the feck does anyone manage this?!?
Like, checking arrival time? Checking the three-letter airport code? Actually mentioning ‘Australia’ to anyone involved in the transaction? I know that flying in the US is more like a bus service than it is in Europe, and my sister’s boyfriend once definitely flew from Houston to Cincinatti instead of to Atlanta, but there’s a big difference between getting on a domestic and getting on an international flight*. Did he not realise when he didn’t have to show his passport (or do you nowadays for US domestic)?
*Something the makers of Friends should have noted when Rachel used someone else’s ticket to fly to London.
You need to show picture ID (usually a driver’s license) and your boarding pass. I doubt that the three digit airport code (MEL, MLB, MEB… pick one) would make much of an impact in this case, and if it’s an elderly person with no international travel experience, well, it’s possible although not likely to happen often.
Travel time: Detroit to Melbourne, FL (on Northwest with connection) about 5 hours
Detroit to Melbourne, AU about 2.5 days
So you have something there, but we Americans (most of us) are woefully ignorant of geography. And math, science, literature, world events, etc., but that’s another topic.
[Friends geek on] She flew to London on tickets she purchsed, she flew to Athens on Emily’s ticket (the intended honeymoon location). Whenever I see this it bothers me.[/Friends Geek off]
On the OP.
How much time/cash was wasted on this mistake. Living that down is going to take some doing.
Of course, since Melbourne Florida is essentially Cape Canaveral, he could’ve switched flights there. Dunno if they do routes that land in Australia, but I’ll warrant they’ve got craft on hand that can handle the distance.
