That last step is a doozey.

Deus ex machina (pronounced /ˈdeɪ.əs ɛks ˈmɑːkinə/ or /ˈdiː.əs ɛks ˈmękɨnə/,[1] literally, in Latin, "god from the machine") is a plot device in which a person, group, or thing appears suddenly, and at the exactly appropriate moment, in order to conveniently and unexpectedly help a character overcome a previously believed insolvable difficulty. (from Wikipedia).

The answer to yesterday's quandary: I got the flu. So, no trip, no flights, problem solved -- for the moment. And now I know I have a few issues to work on to prepare myself for the next trip. But not right now, it's time for bed. Again.