Unexpected business trip to Europe #7

An additional task newly assigned to me during our business trip to Europe:
to find the lost laptop of Mr. K, senior sales manager.

Let me review the events that occurred during the security screening at Vienna Airport, where the laptop was lost.After rushing from immigration to the security, I placed my laptop, smartphone and bag in the trays. Mr. K did the same.

Once again, in a manner that would be unbelievable in Japan, the security officers proceeded to feed the luggage into the X-ray inspection machine, paying no attention to the order of the items. Consequently, the belongings of several passengers became mixed up and were conveyed to the exit of the machine.

After my hand luggage had passed through the X-ray inspection machine, I collected the items and put them back in my bag. As I turned around, I saw Mr. K being checked up by a security officer.

It seemed that he had a breath freshening spray in the pocket of his jacket, which the X-ray inspection machine had detected.

Liquids are typically subject to strict restrictions on international flights. Passengers are required to place them in a transparent plastic bag and present them separately for screening.

While Mr. K was explaining the spray to the security officer using body language, he was distracted. I noticed his bag, which was left on the tray. Worried that he might forget it, I pointed at the tray and called out, “Don’t forget your bag!”

Upon hearing my voice, Mr. K hurriedly picked up his bag and ran onto the aircraft after me.

His bag was supposed to contain his laptop. However, he recalled being told by a security officer at the luggage check to remove the laptop from his bag and place it in a tray. This meant that he had left it behind at the airport.

Throughout life, people often find themselves reflecting on past decisions, thinking “If only I’d done this differently”. I have had these thoughts at that time actually.

• If Mr. K hadn’t had his breath freshening spray in his pocket at that moment, he might not have forgotten about the laptop.
• If I hadn’t shouted, “Don’t forget your bag!”, he might have put the laptop in his bag calmly before picking it up.

But perhaps that “what if” was never a possibility from the outset. The spray remained still in his pocket, and my unfounded worries were destined to be voiced.

In business, you often find yourself thinking, “If only I’d done this back then.”

However, no amount of regret can change reality. Therefore, you should take action to break free from your current situation and move forward. The only option is to take matters into your own hands and change things.

On the first night in Prague, my hesitation turned into determination:
“Find Mr. K’s laptop and make sure it gets delivered to Japan.”

< to be continued…>