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Original poster

Distract me please - DM 'missing' abroad

160 replies

Littlebitworried7 · 28/10/2021 23:08

NC just because I post a lot and don't want it linked to my posting history.

My DM went on holiday this morning. We texted most of the taxi journey to the airport, and I last heard from her when she had boarded the plane.

The plane landed at 5pm (I have checked), and it should be a 90min taxi to the hotel, plus getting baggage and covid checks at the airport first. I expected to hear from her 2-3 hours ago.

She always texts to let me know she's arrived, shows off pics of the hotel etc. I haven't heard anything and my WhatsApp is stuck on one tick so not delivered.

Of course now I'm worried about an accident or something. Her friend who she has gone with also has some quite serious health problems, although deemed fit to fly, so wondered if something had happened with him but if she had had to go to hospital with him she would have found a way to let me know I think.

I'm supposed to be working but can't concentrate. Luckily I'm self employed so it only affects me. If any kind posters can keep me company for a while id appreciate it as I doubt I'll be able to sleep until I at least get two bloody WhatsApp ticks!

And I've disabled voting as I'm obviously BU... I'm normally pretty laid back but this is really out of character.

OP posts:
Coffeeisnecessary · 28/10/2021 23:10

Most likely problems with data roaming I'd have thought. Especially if the messages you sent aren't getting through.

PlanDeRaccordement · 28/10/2021 23:10

You could call the hotel and ask if she has checked in?

pinkgin85 · 28/10/2021 23:10

Try not to worry OP. Do you know which hotel she's staying at? Could you try contacting them?

MissCruellaDeVil · 28/10/2021 23:11

Could her phone have ran out of battery, hence the 1 tick?
I'm sure she is fine OP. Try not to worry, as they say "No news is good news"

Alwayswonderedwhy · 28/10/2021 23:11

Maybe her battery is flat and she's forgotten her charger?

Ilovechristmasasmuchasiloveyou · 28/10/2021 23:11

Can you call her? You're not being unreasonable! I'd be worried too.

Llareggub · 28/10/2021 23:11

No news is good news. I’m abroad at the moment and the WiFi hasn’t been good. I’d also turned off a function on the phone that allowed my phone to roam or whatever it’s called.

mayblossominapril · 28/10/2021 23:12

I hate it when I’m sat at home worrying about someone can’t settle to anything
My dh went awol a couple of winters ago. He got stuck in a snow drift out of mobile phone signal he turned up cold and tired about 6 hours later.

MissAmbrosia · 28/10/2021 23:12

Being very kind, if I tried to check on my teenager to this extent she would think me very unreasonsable. Your mum is probably necking cocktails and having a nice time. What do you think could have possibly happened?

3luckystars · 28/10/2021 23:12

Her phone might not have switched over to the correct network.

If her plane has landed she is more than likely fine.

Ring the hotel if you are worried. Good luck.

daisypond · 28/10/2021 23:13

Data roaming would be my first thought. My DH’s phone never works abroad - we have never understood why.

Unmerited · 28/10/2021 23:13

I am thinking something to do with data or phone charge too. Or just airport messing around with taxi availability etc.

careerchangeperhaps · 28/10/2021 23:15

I'd assume there's an issue with data roaming. I think the terms for some places have changed (esp if an EU country, due to Brexit) so it maybe that it's not automatically enabled on your DM's phone.
Or a flat battery.

Finknottlesnewt · 28/10/2021 23:15

Agree about the data roaming .. but do you know her friends number or do you know anyone here that knows friends number ?

Original poster
Littlebitworried7 · 28/10/2021 23:19

She never has data on abroad, but she's been to this hotel before and had no problems using the free WiFi. She'd use her tablet to send me an email if her phone had died. She would also ask to use her friend's phone if she was stuck just to let me know. That's just her way. We're not in each other's pockets or anything, she's the one who gets in touch, I don't stalk her like a PP alluded to. I do the same if I go away. That's just the way our relationship is.

It's too soon to call the hotel, although I will consider it tomorrow. As I say, it's just out of character.

OP posts:
M0rT · 28/10/2021 23:20

I'm chiming in to reassure you it's probably data roaming. The last phone I had was very awkward, had to go into the settings and find and turn on something so data roaming would work.
I would get the new network text upon landing and only realise there was an issue when I tried to WhatsApp or Google Maps etc

Ringshanks · 28/10/2021 23:20

Perhaps she put her phone on aeroplane mode on board and has forgotten to switch it back ? That’d give one tick and wouldn’t transmit her WhatsApps to you x

Q123R · 28/10/2021 23:21

Ring the hotel now to put your mind at rest else you won't sleep.

Pepperama · 28/10/2021 23:21

Lost phone? Only thinking because a fellow traveller on a day trip left his on a bus and he was mainly worried about not remembering any phone numbers and family getting anxious about him.

Sunshinegirl82 · 28/10/2021 23:24

Why is it too soon to call the hotel?!

NeverForgetYourDreams · 28/10/2021 23:27

Have you tried calling her mobile? If goes to answerphone I would assume she's forgotten to take flight mode off

Original poster
Littlebitworried7 · 28/10/2021 23:27

@Sunshinegirl82

Why is it too soon to call the hotel?!
Because really she's only 3 and a bit hours 'late'. Say for instance there was bad traffic to the hotel, maybe they just checked in and went straight to bed? It's 1:30am there now. In reality I know it's most likely something simple and everything is fine, it's just I'm here alone and it's late and it's so not like her.
OP posts:
Clymene · 28/10/2021 23:29

You have nothing to lose by checking with the hotel. They will have someone in reception

MahMahMahMahCorona · 28/10/2021 23:30

Hi OP - I'm sure the hotel night staff on reception wouldn't mind confirming that she's checked in at least - you don't even have to ask to speak with her.

LoveGoldberg · 28/10/2021 23:30

She’s probably messed around with the settings on her phone to stop all her data being used and pressed the wrong thing.

It’s not too soon to ring the hotel if you are worried!

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