17 Year Old Traveling thru Miami

[LEISEROM 32]

My wifes grand nephew is traveling from Rio to Houston leaving Sunday. He is 17 and has never travelled on airplane alone. The grand parents on fathers side bought him ticket on AA requiring plane change in Miami. His English is limited. Why they didnt buy a ticket on United directly to Houston on nightly non stop is beyond me. Probably to save 50 bucks.

He didnt have any trouble getting visa.

Does anyone think he will have any trouble in Miami. If he had come directly here I might have had a fighting chance. No one I have talked to thinks this was a good idea going thru Miami.

[Boiler 45,516]

My Brother went through Miami once, missed his connection.

[patou70 6]

I worked for the company. .just let the ticket agent know that he doesnt really understand english...can he get a meet and assisit please..

[Cathi 5,748]

for $100 the family can pay for the airlines to assist him. All airlines offer it

[Ning 619]

My wifes grand nephew is traveling from Rio to Houston leaving Sunday. He is 17 and has never travelled on airplane alone. The grand parents on fathers side bought him ticket on AA requiring plane change in Miami. His English is limited. Why they didnt buy a ticket on United directly to Houston on nightly non stop is beyond me. Probably to save 50 bucks.

He didnt have any trouble getting visa.

Does anyone think he will have any trouble in Miami. If he had come directly here I might have had a fighting chance. No one I have talked to thinks this was a good idea going thru Miami.

My husband has gone thru Miami many times and says there should be no problem because they are used to people from S America passing thru. Also most airlines have people to help guide customers from gate to gate.

The good in this may be that he will gain experience in these matters. If not you may find him living in Miami.

He should be fine. A friend just sent her three daughters (15, 12 & 8 ) to Thailand with at least one stop. They experienced no serious problems.

[LEISEROM 32]

I suggested paying AA for unaccompanied minor fee. They resisted that. He has our phone numbers. Best I can do. These people are penny wise and pound foolish. Plus the AA plane gets in at 9 AM forcing me to get into work late. The UA flight gets in at 5:15 with no traffic. But they didnt even bother to ask first. When I asked them who was picking him up they acted dumbfounded like people dont have jobs. Sorry this is America we go to work not sit on the beach and drink caparinhas. Pretty inconsiderate in my opinion.

[christeen 966]

Miami it is easier to find someone speaking Spanish than English, so language will not be an issue. Just have him follow the other passengers from the plane and he will be fine... Miami is however a giant mess... Go through immigration (huge line ) wait at least 45 minutes for luggage to arrive then wait in line to clear customs, then wait in line to re-check bag for next flight. I say minimum of 3 hours changing in Miami...

[LEISEROM 32]

Been in Miami probably a year ago. Was a big mess due to construction. Guess its still like that.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

there are over 50 thousand foreigners who pass through the Miami Airport on a monthly average,there has never been a report of a non English speaking tourist being held or lost in the airport for days. In saying this, there are many nationalities of people who work in that Airport, if the 17 can communicate in any language Someone at the airport will be able to assist him.

BTW, you can always write a letter in English for him, that he can just hand over to any airport personnel, dithery will be able to read and assist.

[Boiler 45,516]

Miami it is easier to find someone speaking Spanish than English, so language will not be an issue. Just have him follow the other passengers from the plane and he will be fine... Miami is however a giant mess... Go through immigration (huge line ) wait at least 45 minutes for luggage to arrive then wait in line to clear customs, then wait in line to re-check bag for next flight. I say minimum of 3 hours changing in Miami...

Not sure how Spanish will help, he is coming from Rio.

[Ning 619]

Not sure how Spanish will help, he is coming from Rio.

Probably will find people that speak Portuguese as well.

[christeen 966]

Haven't met a Brazilian yet that could not understand and communicate in at least in some Spanish... But Miami airport will have many that speak Portuguese as well...

[Ning 619]

Haven't met a Brazilian yet that could not understand and communicate in at least in some Spanish... But Miami airport will have many that speak Portuguese as well...

My husband worked in Colombia where they spoke Spanish but his project has many Portuguese people as well. He says you are right that they all seemed to understand each other to some extent. I don't think this young man will have any serious problems.

[LEISEROM 32]

I doubt he will have issues. I am still po'ed at this grand parents for buying a ticket thru Miami when he could have flown here non stop and not caused me inconvenience. We asked them to call us to discuss travel arrangements. They just did what they wanted and expected us to follow They never bothered to call us. Grand parents on fathers side not my sister in law. This is about what i would expect from some rich folks in Leblon.

I might add the grand mother does not like USA. Thinks its uncultured. has never been here though.

Sorry just wanted to vent.

Edited June 15, 2014 by LEISEROM

[Jawaree 717]

It would have been best on a United flt buts its done, Miami

can be a harsh airport, hold up, secondarys & missing flts

since he's a minor . I say turn him over to flt attendants

and they'll sort things out...Many Cubans works there its

always someone beside U that speaks Spanish....but really

since he never traveled B4 I'd request that he be aided & he

will be just fine