They do not call me late Tate for nothing.

My flight was scheduled May 7, 2015 at 12:20.

I thought the night before I had timed the trip perfectly to the airport from my friend’s house in Miami, boy was I so wrong. I woke up at 9:30 that lovely Thursday morning and was on my merry way at 10:15. Since it was my first time in Miami I did not expect there to be any traffic on the road at 10:30 a.m. but again I was proven wrong.

It took me 30 minutes to get to the airport instead of 15 and to return my rental car was a nightmare that was an extra 45 minutes just to drive around Miami airport just looking for the place to drop my car off.

By this time it is 11:00 a.m. and I’m running at this point to get to the desk to get my boarding pass. When I finally arrive I’m 5 minutes past my hour mark to check a bag, therefore I missed my flight.

After 2 hours of being on the phone with 3 wonderful ladies, the International Programs director, the study abroad representative, and the faculty leading the program, we got everything resolved.

I was so relieved and went straight to the gate at 3:00 p.m. and I didn’t move until they called us to board the plane at 6:10.

As I get comfortable in my 3 seats, I take the time to review my further instructions I need to follow as soon as I get off the plane and how I will get to my  group. At 7:45 p.m. I finally arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Future advice: Always be checked into your flight two hours ahead of your flight schedule.