My flight put on hold expired last night without ever making contact with the LAX office. I called back Copa's customer service number again, but I was still told that there was no other way. The gentleman gave me a different number for the LAX office, which too was only answered by answering machine.

I should know better than to VDB an airline that is not local to me. I will know much better next time.

I still have 6 months on the voucher, so there is still the potential that I will be able to use it - just not for my Christmas plans.

I tried to make the point with both customer service agents that their airlines was in a bind and was begging for people to stay a day in Panama City - I did them a favor by staying - and they repay me by giving me a voucher that is impractical to use. (Not a new story, but still frustrating.) The second expressed a little sympathy, but sympathy don't buy tickets.