I'm 31 years old. My "first time" on an airplane was in 2006. (I'd been on an airplane once as a 6-year-old.) My entire thought process before flying was, What if the weather is bad and the plane is grounded? I don't think airlines will do anything for me if it's because of weather, oh my god, what if I'm stuck in an airport? Can I get to a hotel with just a credit card?! I'd need a cab! Do airports even ACCEPT credit cards?! Jesus, what if the airlines lose my luggage just like on TV? Better pack extra stuff to carry on just in case... I need a lot of cash! I don't know if stores and stalls in airports accept credit cards!

I understand that people who don't travel often aren't as savvy as frequent flyers. And that includes myself! I only fly once a year. But there's a difference between experience and instinct.

Also, had the OP's friend even attempted to use a payphone to check how much change she'd need to call abroad, she'd have seen instructions right there on the phone on how to call collect. That's assuming, of course, the phones had worked. I tried to use payphones at BTR a week ago and no dice on a dial tone. (Unprepared traveler here! I got on a plane without a charged phone!)