[stomachmonkey]

Came within 30 seconds once.

Heading for a vacation in Aruba.

Our driver had a minor fender bender and was running late. Had we waited for him we would have missed the flight so we hopped in our own car and hauled ass to JFK.

I drop my wife and the bags at curbside and go find a place to leave the car.

Figured long term parking would be cheapest but having never used it at JFK I did not realize you had to leave the airport and park 3 exits away.

I find literally the next to last spot in the lot which is as far from the exit as one could possibly get.

As I get out of the car I see the line of shuttle buses leaving the lot and it'll be at least 30 minutes before more arrive.

I grab my backpack and run as fast as I can (did I mention it's August in NY, hot and 100% humidity) and manage to catch the very last shuttle.

He lets me on but he's not going to my terminal, say's he will get me as close as he can.

Turns out as close as he can is on the other side of JFK's main entrance. A 6 lane highway. Shuttle driver had apparently made a call en route and had an airport service car and driver waiting to take me the rest of the way.

I get to the gate just as they are closing the doors.

Get on the plane and that's when things really go down hill.