Travelers Rate Miami Airport as the Worst,,,

miamimike says on Mar 25, 2008, 13:49:

LOL--Anonymous said...
I travel a lot, and MIA is by far THE worst airport I've ever had the displeasure to use. Real Floridians avoid it like the plague in favor of FLL. Perpetual construction, totally disorganized, dirty, poor signage. To say the people who work there are rude is an understatement. A customs agent actually made a snide remark and refused to attend to my boyfriend and me at the same time; his comment implied he took issue with our being an interracial couple who couldn't possibly be traveling together. He himself was a foreigner whose English was so unintelligible I was tempted to ask for HIS papers. The service cashiers and airline employees are no better. Most refuse to make eye contact and pretend not to speak English if you ask for help, and those who actually answer act as if they're terribly burdened by doing their job. I had a pleasant duty free employee once...out of FIVE working there.

I only use MIA when left no other choice. It's not worth the aggravation. I've been to airports in so-called Third World countries that weren't nearly as bad as MIA. Truly shameful.

Sounds like my Opinion of MIA on my flights to Colombia, MIA only eclipsed by the poor service on flights with Avianca! LOL

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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bhill says on Mar 25, 2008, 13:50:

I don't know that I have many gripes about the airport, but I really hate going through immigration in Miami -- no other port of entry is nearly so unpleasant.

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miamimike says on Mar 25, 2008, 13:54:

Bhill-like one of the posters said in the link, knowledgeable pasengers use FLL(ft lauderdale airport) and now they started flights to Col from FLL and bypass the Headaches at MIA.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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miamimike says on Mar 25, 2008, 13:56:

Anonymous said...
As a travel agent I find MIA to have the most unprofessional workers in the country. It would behoove the PTB to require English be spoken as a prerequisite for employment. I've found more English speakers at International Airports than in Miami. MIA is considered to be the Gateway to The Carribean,South & Central America. Yet there seems to be a culture of dissrespect and omnipotence among the workers that defies any semblance of a true tourist destination. Manners are essential in any professional environment


Well said Anonymous,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Mononoke28 says on Mar 25, 2008, 14:12:

Wow, I'm shocked. Every time I go to Colombia I have to go through Miami and it has been nothing but pleasant. The people have always been very nice, Immigration has been very quick and respectful, and it never seems that crowded to me. Very strange.

Diana

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aztec says on Mar 25, 2008, 14:17:

I am confident some of you will say I am mistaken but my perception based on what I have personally seen at MIA the people in the MIA airport don't like the Colombians. I am speaking about other Hispanics not the white gringo.

It appears other Hispanics from all over the Caribbean and Central, South America are jealous of them. If that is not the case then why are they so antagonistic towards them?

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sloopskipper says on Mar 25, 2008, 14:22:

Although I fly a few times per year, I have only flown through MIA one time, returning from Lima, and had no problem with customs or immigration ( I am gringo, but had coca lost in my luggage).

It seems many people complain about American Airlines & MIA, but I had no problems with either. I was flying on miles, and they booked me from San Juan to Caracas on AA, and then on to Lima with LAN Perú.

When I did not want to return via Caracas, they changed me to LIM, MIA, SJU, on their own plane instead of LAN (which is a great airline), although that change did cost me $100.

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Clinman says on Mar 25, 2008, 14:48:

Last month I was one of the first passenegers going thru customs on a plane in Miami from Colombia. I arrived at the courosel and within two minutes to my surprise baggage was on the belt. Within 10 minutes the belt was starting to overflow so two young guys in thier early 20's started pulling the luggage off as the owners were still in custom lines. These guys were purposely taking the bags in a movement where they picked the bag up moved to their hip and dropped it to the marble floor with a little added velocity. Obviously they were pissed off that they had to do extra work but to no fault of the owner of the bag. I was angry at their behavior but kept my opinion to myself as I had just found my second bag. I looked 3 bags over and saw a pool of red liquid seeping out of the luggage. I yelled out one of the handlers "Dude, is that necessary to purposely try to damage people's pssessions". The young guy who was appeared to be of Haitian background gave me a dirty leer. Of course I met his look and returned my own fired up visage.
About hour later I ordered a sandwich at Cuban outlet near one of the American ticket counters. I had been making small talk with a woman who was the manager or owner of the establishment. There was no one else near the stand up counter and she gives the worker his coffee. He obviously knows the woman and interupts our conversation and leans over while reaching across my body to grab the sugar. I pulled the sugar out of his hand then held up in the air and asked if he wanted it. he replied "Go ahead and use it first" I mentioned "Please just ask first and I will hand it to you". He started speaking in Spanish to the woman and from what I understood she told him he was impolite for reaching across in front of me.
These two incidents so close in time had me in dismay. I do not like confrontation but do not tolerate bullies or people preying on the weak.I thought it was less a matter of chance but more of a total lack of service and consideration on the whole by employees at Miami airport. Certainly the main problem is the management of the airport that allows the wild west aggression

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Mr. Hollywood says on Mar 25, 2008, 15:02:

I actually think the worst airport in the US is Dulles. Those stupid shuttle buses you have to take from the check in terminal to the departure lounges are just a big waste of time. And with the exception of the B terminal it looks like it hasn't been upgraded since 1960. Don't even get me started about how long it takes them to deplane the luggage.

MIA is a real mixed bag for me. I always seem to have to cross the entire airport to get from my international flights to my domestic ones, which takes a lot of time. And I've heard the customs and immigration folks there can be real pricks, but never had it happen to me. On the plus side, the American Airlines premier lounge there is very cool.

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nine inch nails says on Mar 25, 2008, 15:05:

The workers there are rude and one time I had a Customs Agent (a Major none the less) bark at me to have my immigration card the right side up. That bit*&.

Despite the negatives if you know your way around not too bad. Plus they just opened up terminals H & J (Avianca) which are nicer and more spacious.

"They know nothing, they know nothing." J. Cramer

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nine inch nails says on Mar 25, 2008, 15:09:

Last trip too back from CO last month the customs agent scoffed after I told him I came from CO. he didn't phuck with me though.

"They know nothing, they know nothing." J. Cramer

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nine inch nails says on Mar 25, 2008, 15:11:

Only flew thru FLL one time back from Rica (Costa) and customs real pleasant but domestic flights thru PBI the TSA were rude to me.

"They know nothing, they know nothing." J. Cramer

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Clinman says on Mar 25, 2008, 16:10:

Hollywood I am in complete agreement about your statement about crossing the entire airport on International top floor. One enter's the lower level for domestic and recrosses their earlier steps to reach American concourse.

There are two very large newer Admiral's Clubs for American which are spacious and you can take showers. They also supply little tidbits with your coffee with free Internet access. The best Admiral's I have been was in Santiago, Chile where you help your self to free beer, sandwiches, and good liquor. However my memebership was paid by the company that I no longer work for and flying mostly domestically is not worth the $500 fee of club for me

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miamimike says on Mar 25, 2008, 16:55:

About hour later I ordered a sandwich at Cuban outlet near one of the American ticket counters. I had been making small talk with a woman who was the manager or owner of the establishment. There was no one else near the stand up counter and she gives the worker his coffee. He obviously knows the woman and interupts our conversation and leans over while reaching across my body to grab the sugar. I pulled the sugar out of his hand then held up in the air and asked if he wanted it. he replied "Go ahead and use it first" I mentioned "Please just ask first and I will hand it to you". He started speaking in Spanish to the woman and from what I understood she told him he was impolite for reaching across in front of me.
These two incidents so close in time had me in dismay. I do not like confrontation but do not tolerate bullies or people preying on the weak.I thought it was less a matter of chance but more of a total lack of service and consideration on the whole by employees at Miami airport. Certainly the main problem is the management of the airport that allows the wild west aggression
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Clinman--Not surprised at this Experience, what you described is,IMO, par for the course at MIA. We had a good Airport manager at MIA a few years ago but she wouldn't play ball with the Cuban Mafia who controls MIA so she was shoved out. She had a daunting task reforming MIA being how she was an Outsider, being Black and a Female to boot. SHe gave it a try and made some headway but finally she threw in the Towel and took a contract buyout for Mucha Plata.Tampa and Orlando have pretty nice airports for Florida, Tampa having won Best Of The Airports in the US a couple years in a row. The same Engineer/Designer who designed the Tampa Airport also designed Orlandos' . Nice Airports as they have a star design with Trains running out from a central Hub so you get anywhere in a few seconds-Miami you need run a marathon.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Sam Salmon says on Mar 25, 2008, 20:20:

Been through MIA twice-hope to never repeat-it's a dirty shithole staffed by morons and worse-that includes Customs & Immigration.

' a la orden!'

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Clinman says on Mar 25, 2008, 20:31:

MiamiMike, thanks for the background about Mia. I am not surprised about the Cuban mafia, however if you know this then I am sure the Feds know this as well.

I agree Tampa is well designed and has some nice old photos from years past. Each waiting area has a bit tranquality about it. I remember them having a piece about Archimedes on one of the walls. Also the 200 yard train to the concourse makes you wait no longer than the average elevator

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miamimike says on Mar 25, 2008, 22:23:

Clinman-its a closed shop so to speak at MIA in that if you are a small business person wanting to locate your business in MIA and few new businesses get inside if you aren't connected to the Cuban Click. Thats why for years the Food Choices have been so poor in MIA, they fought tooth and nail to keep out competievely priced chains like BK, McDonalds, Subway. You end up with overpriced eateries with small menus and stale food like that found in LA Carreta and they get away with it due the "Trapped Enviroment" travelers face in an Enviroment such as an Airport or a Mall. There is pressure to change lets see if it happens. Many Local Travelers are bypassing MIA and going to Ft Lauderdale's Airport.

Tampa was a great Airport and I used it a lot when I lived in St Petersburg, Fl. Sometimes on a Sunday,since it was so easy to get in and out of, we used to go and eat at the Tampa Airport Restuarants and watch the planes take off and land(girlfriend's son loved it). The exit of I-275 was well marked into the airport, Parking was a Breeze, once inside it was well organized and business like, Airport workers were polite,almost the exact opposite of everything you find wrong with MIA. The 57 Aero Squandron Restaurant in Miami located along Rt 836(don shula expy) and 57th ave is a good restuarant also to watch Plane landing activity at MIA while you eat.

S.Salamon--sounds like you aren't a Fan of MIA! LOL

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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dwr says on Mar 26, 2008, 10:11:

Miami Airport has smoking area and big beers. What more do you need?

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Colombiche says on Mar 26, 2008, 10:31:

I really enjoy Miami airport, maybe the staff are nice to me because I speak to them in spanish.... dunno.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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SiV says on Mar 26, 2008, 10:35:

Miami airport is a Mierma!

I had to pass through there a few years back, AA Cali-Miami-London. I had one hour to catch the flight, and they stuck me in Immigration with everyone entering the US. It was absolutely full and the officials took about 10 minutes per person. I asked the officers 4 times to let me pass through quickly, but no, I had to queue with everbody else. It was only 20 minutes before my flight was to take off, after getting frantic and finally finding an officer with half a brain, that I was shunted to the front of the queue.

I got through, and there were no directions to my Gate. I got lost, arrived 5 minutes after check-in had been called, but at least they were good enough to let me through and I (just) caught my flight. Never again, though.

Stultórum númere infinitum est.

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tomtom33 says on Mar 26, 2008, 10:38:

You allowed one hour between flights, had to pass immigration, and it is the fault of MIA?

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SiV says on Mar 26, 2008, 10:44:

Other airports have a seperate queue for changeovers, (i.e. don't have to pass through immigration as they are not actually entering the country) and 1 hour is (the minimum, admittedly) allowed by the international booking authorities. So yes, it's bad service on the part of MIA.

Stultórum númere infinitum est.

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miamimike says on Mar 26, 2008, 10:59:

Colombiche--Speaking Spanish to the Airport Staff at MIA shouldn't be a prerequisite for Courteous Service at MIA or any Airport for that matter within the USA,,,If it does it would imply a bias/predjudice

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Colombiche says on Mar 26, 2008, 11:25:

You are right Miamimike but Miami does not feel or behave like the US, it's actually the one place where a white english-speaking person gets second rate service based on their lack of spanish proficiency .... as opposed to other parts of the US where latino people who speak broken english get treated like Chite.... or Colombia and the rest of Latin America where they roll out the red carpet for gringo tourists........ I guess it's the one place where a rosy cheeked guy from the midwest feels like a second class citizen in his own country.... LOL.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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sloopskipper says on Mar 26, 2008, 12:00:

SiV says on Wednesday March 26th, 2008 10:44:

"Other airports have a seperate queue for changeovers, (i.e. don't have to pass through immigration as they are not actually entering the country) and 1 hour is (the minimum, admittedly) allowed by the international booking authorities. So yes, it's bad service on the part of MIA."

Yes, EVEN in CARACAS!

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miamimike says on Mar 26, 2008, 12:38:

Colombiche, the only Spanish speaking I know of who gets a pass at MIA are other Cubans, Colombians rarely get a courtesy at MIA. Fact is, I've never even seen a Colombian working at MIA (unless its behind the ticket counter at Avianca) most of the Latinos(as) you run into are all Cubans at MIA. The Cuban mafia takes care of hiring so of course, all Cubans. Ask those Colombians arriving at MIA who are put through the 3rd degree by US Customs and Immigration what courtesies they get, maybe an unwarranted ride in the Green&white Van out to the Krome Detention center,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Colombiche says on Mar 26, 2008, 12:53:

You are right about that... I don't see many colombians working at MIA, mostly cubans or central americans. La Guardia in NYC on the other hand... seems like every other staff is a paisa. Everytime I hail a cab the driver is from Cali or Pereira, maybe the odd dominicano.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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bill230 says on Mar 26, 2008, 13:07:

must be

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megs622 says on Mar 26, 2008, 19:59:

I refuse to connect through Miami. I hate it hate it hate it in every way possible

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