LHR: Where's my Passport?

Today was the second time in my life when I have thought I've lost my passport while travelling internationally. Luckily, both times I was just an idiot.

The first time was 5 or 6 years ago, when I thought I'd lost it in Pearson Airport sometime between going through pre-clearance and getting on the plane (Jetsgo to EWR of all things). I remember panicking on the plane and holding up the line of people boarding while I frantically searched everywhere in my bag and around my seat. It probably wasn't very long, but it felt like forever. Found it in a place that's hard to describe. People with Dell laptop bags might know what I mean: it's the space between the thin back pocket and the bag itself, where the handle from a larger piece of luggage goes.

Today's panic was a little worse. It was in a more foreign place (arguable). It lasted longer. It happened on a Friday night. And I'd just got out of an untraceable taxi having come from one of the world's busiest airports. On arriving at my London hotel, I got out my credit card and reached for my passport as ID. I had just had it minutes ago while clearing UK immigration. On this trip, I have been wearing a suit every day, so I've been keeping my passport in the inside breast pocket of my suit. I reached there and it wasn't there. Uh oh. I checked the same breast pocket in my leather jacket. Nope. The backup location is usually that thin pocket in my Dell bag. So I pulled everything out of that pocket (a lot of brochures, receipts, boarding passes and everything else I've picked up on this trip) and put it on the check in counter. Sifted through it all. No passport. Meanwhile, the front desk agent was asking for my patience: "Our system has just frozen... It'll just be a moment". I told her, in what I assume was a panicky voice, to take her time. Checked my pants pockets for the passport. Nope. Checked all suit pockets. Nope. Checked all leather jacket pockets twice. Nope. Started methodically checking each pocket and compartment of the Dell bag, even though I knew I hadn't put it in there and it would have been incredibly unlikely it could have made it there by accident. Not in the bag anywhere. Panic panic panic.

So I start thinking to myself... I have about 15 hours here before I go home. If I have no passport, how am I going to get on that flight? The High Commission surely can't get me a replacement that fast on a Friday night or Saturday morning can they? And also, what the heck happened to it? I had it at the airport, there was no opportunity to put it down anywhere, but now I don't have it. Must have fallen out in the taxi. Check the receipt, maybe I can call the company. Nope. Nothing on the receipt. How many black cabs could there be in London anyway? Panic panic panic.

"Just one moment sir, thanks for your patience."

Start retracing your steps, I tell myself. Had it at immigration. Put it away before getting to the baggage carousel. What could have happened? Could have dropped it in the airport, in the cab, or could have put it somewhere unusu-- wait! That's it! Found it. It was in the breast pocket after all... of my shirt.

All's well.
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