I'm sorry. Isn't this supposed to be the season of good will? The poor guy, regardless of anything else is in a jam. Jeeze.
Life is so much different in foreign countries than in the US. I know, thank you for stating the obvious. But think about it, 2016 or not, this is the Czech Republic. Not Nebraska. To add insult to injury, he's committed to a flight, and again, I'm guessing it's not Southwest Air with free changes. And!, its the busiest travel time of the year.
I really feel for the guy and to be honest, right now, I am so new to this hobby that I've never flown a drone nor do I own one. I will, and it will be a Mavic. Soon. I'm just trying to familiarize myself with as much information as possible so I am more ready when the time comes. Forums are great for that and I'm no stranger to them. How I stumbled in.
So again, right or wrong, incorrect or not, poor judgement or lack of knowledge, whatever, his situation, it definitely sux. It's a tough decision to make but I would likely do the same thing he did too just for the sake of a better vacation if that is the case. And no, I do not have a money tree in the back yard.
Then I would circle back and hope to recover the downed drone and take it from there. Maybe I could get one before leaving or a allie and assess the situation myself (as suggested earlier, great idea by the way). If buying one was an option then more power to him. I bet 90% or more of all the pilots out there have more than one drone.
In any case I wanted to post because I felt compelled to tell the guy, his story sounds like something that would happen to me and good luck, and if I were there I would do what I could to help. In other words I would have his back just because I was a fellow enthusiast.
Rob