Dave awoke and drove to the airport. While he was standing in the security line he hears, “Hey Captain!” He turns to find the two crew that helped load Apsaras standing there. Turns out they don’t travel aboard the ship, but fly from port to port to do the loading/offloading.
By the time Dave reaches Dallas TX, the AIS shows the AAL Dalian is already through the canal and cruising past Balboa Panama bringing Apsaras home.