A few questions...

I think they kind of rushed the movie here and didn't really think through it. I guess for the Sam question, that would make sense in real life but he has to go there, get Jonah, Jonah runs to him so relieved that his dad found him that he forgets his bag so they can return for it and find Annie as she's about to leave with Jonah's bag.

The father is a travel agent. Apparently he knows the schedule by heart. And when he says 7:30 the clock rings once indicating its a half hour. I assume its 7:30 and too late to call the airline to stop the flight. People weren't hyper vigilant about things like they are now.

1) I thought it was far fetched to think he could instantly match up the departure time to the Flight number and airline Jessica provided. Travel agents must book dozens of flights a day, so pulling one out of his hat was stretching it IMHO.

2) He was running like hell for the airport, hopping the plane, etc. No cellphones, no time to stop at a pay phone. Though surely he could have told the stewardess to have the pilot contact the airport... or Jessica's parents could have called. Still, then social services would have gotten involved, and that would have screwed up the outcome of the movie too much.

2) I have always wondered why he didn't ring the police of that city, or the Empire State Building's security and ask them to find and hold Jonah until he got there.

In answer to #2, I agree. In real life that would make sense. AND, furthermore since there were several adults "aware" of the situation, it does seem odd that even if HE might not think of it...they could have. IOW, YES he'd dash to the airport but those left behind could call and try to look out for Jonah's safety. In real like he'd be in some danger being ferried across the grid alone.

But of course, I am being aggressively naive.