Anyone watching Airport 24/7: Miami?

[omegaet]

Since a number of you pass through MIA (and it's our home airport & gateway to Central & South America), just wondering if you have been watching the new show on the Travel channel.

Does the show make you want to shy away from a MIA connection?

[bonniejoy03]

I loved the show but only saw about 20 minutes. I hope to catch more. Isn't it a "reality" show now? Doesn't sway me either way about MIA.

[showard]

Since a number of you pass through MIA (and it's our home airport & gateway to Central & South America), just wondering if you have been watching the new show on the Travel channel.

Does the show make you want to shy away from a MIA connection?

Haven't seen the travel show; but, on a trip last year connecting through Miami en route to S. America, we had a baggage issue of somewhat epic proportions -- a little humor now -- but not funny then --

In short, we arrived at MIA on AA happy and eagerly anticipating our first trip to S.A. Each of us had two bags -- one suitcase and one duffel each. Out of MIA to our final destination, both pieces of my luggage arrived completely ransacked and obviously quite roughly handled. Don't know what he/she was looking to find, but only clothing was packed; mangled as it was, at least I had it!

My friend, however, was not so fortunate. His duffel somehow got separated from the other luggage and wasn't tracked down until a few days later -- ho-hum. . . . Certainly no way to start a vacation.

For the record, AA offered each of us a $200 travel voucher for this "inconvenience."

Our return into the U.S. - again via MIA - proved equally frustrating. All incoming travelers - hordes of them, it seemed - were shunted into a large completely disorganized area for baggage pick-up prior to passing through the usual obstacles. No one knew where the "lines" were exactly located nor how to navigate through the chaos. Even the drug-sniffing dogs were panicky!

So, since then, we have thus far managed to avoid the Miami scene. Houston is certainly no picnic, but at least there is some semblance of order and concern for the airline traveler. In our experience, they have actually rushed through those who were short on time for connecting flights. Que bueno, verdad?

Comments, anyone?

[Mountie]

bonniejoy03, did you actually use the word "reality" and show in the same sentence?

Come on, I watched both of the 1/2 shows and even I know more tape ended up on the cutting room floor (do they still cut tape and throw on the floor like they did with film) then in the final show. Plus, I know the editors had more to do with what was shown then probably had much if any thing to do with the day to day operations of Miami International.

I use the airport from time to time and I don't think it is any worse than most other busy airports of similar size.

[bonniejoy03]

Good and bad experiences at all airports. The only one that seems to really try hard is Charlotte. Great atmosphere for an airport and friendly staff. I like Charlotte.

[omegaet]

showard, MIA is our usual departure airport for international travel. We are painfully aware of the 'more than occasional' incidents of luggage being ransacked and pilfered....from first hand experiences as well local newspaper articles. During the past few years, we have switched to using https://www.securewrap.com/ for luggage we check. I think the cost is $10 to $12 per bag. Since using the service, we have not experienced any problems with pilferage and the bags are sustaining less damage.

Of course, we don't 'transit' through MIA as connecting passengers, but it is obvious from our own observations, this remains a complicated and unpleasant matter for those who must do so.

¡Qué lástima

[Mountie]

Hey, -O-, I don't get how plastic wrap slows down the thieves at MIA??? I 've never used the wrap service, but I see them set up when I pass thru the check-in areas.

[jsattapr2]

mountie, a little insight about secure wrap for luggage. I recall reading an article some time ago, might have been in Smart Money, about luggage issues with airlines. One of the points in the article highlighted the effectiveness of using secure wrap. Most pilfered bags are targets of opportunity in the luggage transition from check-in through the maze of belts and roller systems and eventually in the belly of the aircraft.

Think about it, why would a luggage handler want to waste time dismembering a secure wrapped bag when they can go after another without any obstacles. Let the secure wrapped pass by and find an easier target.

I don't always opt for secure wrap, but I tend to do so when I have connecting flights, involving longer layovers. Maybe I'm just fortunate, but I haven't encountered a luggage problem since I started using the secure wrap approach.

[Mountie]

Good and bad experiences at all airports. The only one that seems to really try hard is Charlotte. Great atmosphere for an airport and friendly staff. I like Charlotte.

It's all of the rocking chairs you can use for free.

[jsattapr2]

I've now seen three episodes of this "reality" show and will probably not go out of my way to watch more in the future. I did enjoy seeing some of the scenes of MIA, since I use the airport now and then.

I am put off by a couple of the "stars" with their ongoing "hysteria" over their day to day responsibilities.

Also, the TSA is portrayed, and probably accurately, as a bumbling bunch if reactionary incompetents.

Oh well, it's entertainment I guess.