Non-English Speaking Mother-in-Law

[golferadam 0]

My mother-in-law was fortunate enough to get a visa to come visit us after the new year. However, she speaks nor reads English. I am worried about her ability to make her connecting flight in Newark. She is flying from Beijing to Houston, via Newark.

Has anyone written a letter to be presented at the airport so perhaps someone can help her? Any other ideas?

Thanks!!

[Otto 83]

There should be personnel on-site that can assist if need be (Chinese speaking) but baring that - I've seen folks write out a letter in advance asking for assistance so she could show someone and they could direct her. It should not be a huge issue.

[Tigerinroc 0]

The airlines that she flies with may be able to help.

Check with the airlines website or call them.

My mother-in-law was fortunate enough to get a visa to come visit us after the new year. However, she speaks nor reads English. I am worried about her ability to make her connecting flight in Newark. She is flying from Beijing to Houston, via Newark.

Has anyone written a letter to be presented at the airport so perhaps someone can help her? Any other ideas?

Thanks!!

[golferadam 0]

Thanks for the replies....this is what I came up with. Any suggestions or improvements?

To Whom It May Concern:

The holder of this letter is my mother-in-law, _________. She is traveling from Beijing, China to Houston, Texas, USA. She does not speak or read any English. Please assist her in making her connecting flight in Newark, New Jersey, USA.

If you need further details about her travel arrangements, please contact me at XXX-XXX-XXXX.

Thank you for your kind assistance.

Sincerely,

Edited December 14, 2009 by golferadam

[milimelo 4,479]

Thanks for the replies....this is what I came up with. Any suggestions or improvements?

To Whom It May Concern:

The holder of this letter is my mother-in-law, _________. She is traveling from Beijing, China to Houston, Texas, USA. She does not speak or read any English. Please assist her in making her connecting flight in Newark, New Jersey, USA.

If you need further details about her travel arrangements, please contact me at XXX-XXX-XXXX.

Thank you for your kind assistance.

Sincerely,

I'd provide the flight number and flight time as well for the connecting flight. I doubt anyone would be calling you to find out which connecting flight she should be on.

Could you possibly arrange for a wheelchair for your mother-in-law? That way they would get her from the first flight, through the customs and onto the next flight with the same attendant and you have nothing to worry about.

[Minya's wife 24]

The letter sounds good, but as the poster above suggests, you may include the flight number of her connecting flight on the letter. Your MIL should also speak with the flight attendants on the china/newark leg, when she boards, to ask for assistance in getting to her next gate at Newark. They would be able to assist her when she lands. Alternatively, she can ask a passenger on her flight if they can assist her.

When my fiance came, I PDF-ed and sent him a map of his connecting airport which he had a print out of. He knew his flight number and knew to look for the Departures screen at the connecting airport for his next gate. He was able to find it without much incident....though he also had a letter such as the one you're proposing to write, in his pocket.