The snowball effect is when a series of events or outcomes occur, culminating in a larger catastrophic even or outcome.
The legs from Lisbon to Madrid and onward to Doha and Dubai is one such situation where multiple factors beyond my control interfered with my plans.
The factors at play:
1. Mrs E and I deciding 2 years ago we should get a travel debit card which can be loaded with any currency without the crazy fees.
2. Back in November when I planned this trip and decided to book different segments on separate itineraries. I tried to get someone to connect the itineraries but that doesn't guarantee connections.
As you can tell from the way I strung this trip, I am a risk taker.
3. Mrs Enthused is risk averse to the point where she is that annoying voice of risk mitigation. This came in the form of gently asserting that I should very strongly consider travel insurance.
4. I decided against a later departure from Madeira, instead giving me a generous 2 hours in Lisbon to make my connection to Madrid and giving me 4 hours there to enjoy the lounge.
5. Upon arrival in Madeira, purchasing a sim card with phone calls included, and not just a data sim.
6. Despite an email from IB about a "high occupancy flight" that they would offer free check-in.
At the boarding gate I insisted that I would not like my roll-aboard to be gate-checked as the flight is already late and I have a tight connection. Not quite a Greg Gaylord Fokker moment with the suitcase, but I might have.
The events that culminated in this situation:
1. The inbound flight from hadn't left Madrid when it was time to board in Lisbon 😬
2. When we did board, it was from a remote gate which added the time to board, pushing our departure to over 3 hours late at 7.30pm.
3. After communicating my concern to the flight attendants, they facilitated a move from my seat in 17C to 9E towards the front of Economy, and other pax allowed me to stand at the Business Class curtain so I could run off the plane. Something I am incredibly grateful for.
4. I missed a lift and a inter-terminal train, adding another 7 min to my trek across terminals. Sadly I had actually missed my flight by 15min...
My despair face while working out what next to do and before speaking with Mrs Enthused to update her.
