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ARCHIVE: 2015-19 AA Guide: MIA / Miami International Airport, MCT / Connection, etc.

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Old Jan 7, 2019, 11:20 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: JDiver
Please edit or add information to this wiki as necessary.

The current thread is here.
Check-in times as of March 2016 Link

In most locations, you must be checked in:

At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the United States

At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to or from airports outside of the United States


If you’re beginning travel from any of the airports below, the check-in time is longer:

Departing from: Check-in must be completed by:
(minutes before scheduled departure time)
  • Caracas, Venezuela (CCS) 90 minutes
  • Dublin, Ireland (DUB) 75 minutes
  • Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) 75 minutes
  • Maracaibo, Venezuela (MAR) 90 minutes
  • St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (STT) 90 minutes
Link to Miami International Airport website

Link to aa.com Miami International Airport page and airport app.


Link to thread with archived older posts.

Peculiarities: MIA can be affected by summer tropical storms and hurricanes. Knock-on effects during lengthy IROPS can manifest themselves systemwide. At peak times (e.g. early morning arrivals), arrivals processing and terminal facilities can get very crowded.

Special notice

We operate out of Concourses D and E. Check your flight status for gate information.

Ticket counters
American Airlines
Concourse D
Daily: 4 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Airport Map



AA Ticket Counter & Gates Map

Official MCT / Minimum Connection Times for MIA (assuming same terminal):
  • 0:40 Domestic to Domestic
  • 0:45 Domestic to International
  • 1:35 International to Domestic
  • 1:35 International to International
NOTE: Though 1:35 is the given MCT International to Domestic (and 1:35 international to international), one should not consider that useful for everyone connecting international to domestic unless one has Global Entry or luck.

International arrivals at MIA requires most passengers to fill out a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Declaration Form 6059B - one per family - process U.S. Immigration, retrieve baggage at arrivals carousels, process through U.S. customs, re-check baggage, proceed to either the TSA connections security processing queue or landside and process TSA security (with onward boarding pass) to return airside. (Read on for exceptions.)

This does not apply if you are connecting international to international and have red "ITI" tags on your checked baggage. You will have to produce the Form 6059B and still pass through USCBP, albeit without baggage.

Other than for U.S. passport holders and passengers with USDHS ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization under the Visa Waiver Program), who may use kiosks that expedite the arrivals process, Immigration, Customs and TSA Security queues can at times be tortuous and one would do better scheduling a connection time closer to 2:30 (or even 3:00) for a comfortable international to domestic or to international connection for non-ESTA / non-U.S. passport holders.

If one is enrolled in Global Entry and can use the dedicated kiosks and expedited queues, the process is speediest as there are clearly marked queues after the self-clearing kiosks and one is not required to possess a Form 6059B.
For general information, see:

AA FAQ: Will I make my connection?

AA Wiki: Minimum Connecting Times

MIA Airport Website

MIA North Terminal (Concourse D) Updates

Concourse D Skytrain (inside security) - transfers between all gates in Concourse D and between inbound international flights and Customs & Immigrations Halls in Concourse E. Concourses D and E are connected inside security via a walkway.
Connections between terminals at MIA (using the Skyride Connector moving walkways)

AA.com: Admirals Club Locations and Hours

FT: American Airlines Lounge Dashboard for Lounge information
MIA Concourses and Gates

The terminal at MIA is a single U-shaped building divided into 6 concourses. AA operates flights out of Concourses D & E.
Concourse D: Gates D1-D60
  • American Airlines ticket counters are located at Concourse D, Doors 1-7 and Concourse E, Door 10
  • American Airlines mainline flights depart from Gates D1-D51
  • American Eagle flights depart from Gates D53, D55 & D60

Concourse E: Gates E2-E11 & E20-E33
Gates E20-E33 are located at the International Satellite Terminal, accessible via people mover on Level 4 just past the Concourse E security checkpoint. If the people mover is out of service, signs will direct passengers to the shuttle bus departing from the E1 Bus Station on Level 1
  • American Airlines ticket counters are located at Concourse D, Doors 1-7 and Concourse E, Door 10
  • American Airlines mainline flights depart from Gates E2-E11 & E20-E33
  • airberlin ticket counter is located at Concourse E, between Doors 9 & 10; flights to Dusseldorf depart from Gate E10 and flights to Berlin depart from Concourse F
  • British Airways ticket counter is located at Concourse F, Door 14; flights using Airbus A380 equipment depart from Gate E6 and all other flights depart from Gate E8
  • Finnair ticket counter is located at Concourse E, Door 10; flights depart from Concourse F
  • Iberia ticket counter is located at Concourse E, between Doors 13 & 14; flights depart from Gate E23
  • Qatar Airways ticket counter is located at Concourse E, between Doors 9 & 10; flights depart from Gate E10
  • WestJet ticket counter is located at Concourse E, Door 12; flights depart from Concourse F

Concourse F: Gates F3-F23
  • airberlin ticket counter is located at Concourse E, between Doors 9 & 10; flights to Dusseldorf depart from Gate E10 and flights to Berlin depart from Concourse F
  • British Airways ticket counter is located at Concourse F, Door 14; flights using Airbus A380 equipment depart from Gate E6 and all other flights depart from Gate E8
  • Finnair ticket counter is located at Concourse E, Door 10; flights depart from Concourse F
  • WestJet ticket counter is located at Concourse E, Door 12; flights depart from Concourse F

Concourse G: Gates G2-G19

Concourse H: Gates H3-H17
  • LATAM Airlines ticket counter is located at Concourse H, Doors 24-26; flights depart from Concourses H & J

Concourse J: Gates J2-J18
  • Delayed American Airlines international flights arrive at Concourse J when the federal inspection station at Concourse D is closed (generally between 11 PM and 3:30 AM)
  • LATAM Airlines ticket counter is located at Concourse H, Doors 24-26; flights depart from Concourses H & J

Checking in at MIA Link

Flagship Check-in: Yes

Arrival at the Airport

Longer security lines this spring & summer

The TSA recommends arriving at the airport 2 hours before your flight (3 hours for international). If you travel often, save time by enrolling in TSA PreCheck. We’re working with the U.S. government to alleviate these delays.

Check-in Times

You must be checked in:

  • At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the United States (domestic flights)
  • At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to airports outside of the United States (international flights)

Arrival at Gate

You must be at the gate and ready to board the aircraft:

  • 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure

Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of your seat assignment and the removal of your checked baggage from the aircraft.

Doors close 10 minutes before departure.

Time to baggage delivery: 30-55 minutes

AA Ticket Counters Link

Concourse D
Charter 1: Cuba charter check-in only; open dependent on charter flight schedule, located across from Door 1

Kiosk 1: self-service check-in; located between Doors 1 and 2

Main: full-service check-in; located across from Door 2

Flagship: full-service check-in; located between Doors 2 & 3

Priority: full-service check-in; separate queues for First Class & AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Business Class & AAdvantage Platinum, and AAdvantage Gold & Priority; late nights Priority and Main are consolidated at this counter; located between Doors 3 & 4

Kiosk 2: self-service check-in; located across from Door 5

Kiosk 3: self-service check-in; located across from Door 6

Rebooking Center: missed connection assistance for customers arriving on international flights only; located across from Door 6

Cuba Check-in: self-service check-in for customers traveling to Cuba only; located between Doors 6 & 7

Future Ticketing: located on Arrivals (lower) level, next to Carousel 27 Permanently closed
Concourse E
Charter 2: Cuba charter check-in only; open dependent on charter flight schedule, located across from Door 10

Security at MIA

Link to security checkpoint locations map. All Concourse D and E gates are accessible from any D or E checkpoint. Connections to or from other concourses will require you to exit and reclear security.

If you do not have Priority or Pre✓, please allow at least 20-40 minutes to clear security. If you miss your flight due to security checkpoint wait times, you will be allowed to standby for the next AA flight to your destination.

Concourse D
Checkpoint 1: open 5 AM to 9 PM, best for Gates D1-D21, located across from Door 1

Checkpoint 2: open 24 hours, best for Gates D22-D24, available to Priority and Pre✓ passengers only while other checkpoints are open (4 AM to 10:30 PM), located across from Door 3

Checkpoint 3: open 4 AM to 10:30 PM, best for Gates D25-D29 & D41-D60 (via skytrain) and access to skytrain Station 2, located between Doors 5 & 6

Checkpoint 4: open 8 AM to 10 AM and 6 PM to 8 PM, best for Gates D30-D40, located across from Door 9

D FIS Checkpoint: open 4 AM to 9:30 PM, available only to passengers who have cleared customs at the D federal inspection station (non-precleared international flights arriving Concourses D, E & F), located to your left upon exiting customs
Concourse E
Checkpoint E: open 4 AM to 10:30 PM, best for Gates E2-E11 & E20-E33, located between Doors 11 & 12
Priority lanes available at Checkpoints 2 and E

TSA Pre✓ available 24 hours at Checkpoint 2, available during peak times only at Checkpoints 1, E, and D FIS

CLEAR available at Checkpoint E

Tip: Upon exiting customs, you will be directed to the D FIS checkpoint. If you would like to use an alternate checkpoint, follow the signs to the Crew EXIT and Rebooking Center in order to avoid exiting on the Arrivals (lower) level and having to go back upstairs. Checkpoints 1-3 will be to your left and Checkpoints 4 & E will be to your right.

Security checkpoint operating hours may differ from published times due to TSA staffing constraints and security initiatives.



MIA Services, Shopping, and Dining

MIA VIP Services (expedited processing similar to AA Five Star Service): link.

Lounges: please see the Lounge Dashboard sticky for further lounge information at MIA
Concourse D: Admirals Clubs above Gate D15 and across from Gate D30; Centurion Lounge at Gate D12 (take elevator in rotunda to Level 3)

Concourse E: Premium Lounge (take elevators just beyond security checkpoint to Level 5)
Dining & Shopping: Link to MIA services, dining guide, and interactive map

On-Airport Hotel:
Miami International Airport Hotel (landside, Concourse E)
Currency Exchange: Coming soon!

Wi-Fi:
Paid WI-Fi service available throughout terminal. Link to pricing information and connection instructions
Charging Stations:
Coming soon!
Smoking: Smoking is permitted only in designated smoking areas across from terminal sidewalks and at:
TGI Friday's smoking lounge between Gates D34 & D36
Rental Cars: The Rental Car Center is located at 3900 NW 25 St, Miami, FL 33142 (across from the main entrance to the airport) and is served by 16 companies. Link. Access to and from the terminal is via the MIA Mover automated people mover.
Arriving Passengers: After collecting your baggage, follow the black and pink signs to the MIA Mover station on the third level of the terminal, accessible via moving walkway. From there, board the MIA Mover to the Rental Car Center. Trains generally depart and arrive on the right track and run 24 hours a day. From 5 AM to midnight, trains run approximately every 3 minutes; from midnight to 5 AM, trains run approximately every 7 minutes. The train will reach the Rental Car Center in approximately 3 minutes. After exiting the station area, the rental car agencies will be located to your right.

Departing Passengers: Please return your vehicle at the Rental Car Center before checking in for your departing flight. After returning your vehicle, follow the black and pink signs to the MIA Mover station on the fourth level of the facility. From there, board the MIA Mover to Miami International Airport. Trains generally depart and arrive on the right track and run 24 hours a day. From 5 AM to midnight, trains run approximately every 3 minutes; from midnight to 5 AM, trains run approximately every 7 minutes. The train will reach the airport terminal in approximately 3 minutes. After exiting the station area, moving walkways to AA ticket counters and gates will be located to your right.
Animal Relief Areas:
Coming soon!

MIA Parking

There are Valet and Garage parking options. Link for options, pricing, and maps

Accessible/Disabled Parking: Link

Cell Phone Waiting Lot: Link


MIA Transportation

Public Transportation: All buses and trains depart from Miami Central Station, which is co-located with the Rental Car Center and is accessible via the MIA Mover automated people mover. Link to map and directions to Miami Central Station
Metrorail Orange Line to Dadeland South, serving Downtown Miami

Miami Beach Airport Express bus to Miami Beach

Metrobus routes 7, 37, 42, 57, J, 238/338 & 297

Tri-Rail commuter rail to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach
Hotel Shuttles, Shared-Ride Vans, and Taxis: Link to area map and fare estimates
Hotel shuttles pick up and drop off on the Departures (upper) level at Doors 3 & 7 at Concourse D; there are no designated stops at Concourses E-J

Super Shuttle shared-ride van service. Stands located on Arrivals (lower) level at Concourses D, E, F, and H.

Taxi stands located on Arrivals (lower) level at Concourses D, E, F, and H. Blue "Airport Region Taxi Service" taxis serve areas immediately adjacent to the airport. Yellow taxis serve all other areas.

Uber and Lyft rideshare services are technically illegal at MIA but will accept pick-ups and drop-offs. There are no designated stops; however, rideshare drivers will generally pick up on the Arrivals (lower) level.
Intercity Bus: Buses depart from Miami Central Station. Link to map and directions to Miami Central Station
Greyhound bus service throughout continental United States

megabus low-cost express bus service to Orlando and Tampa

Things to Do

Is there anything to do at MIA? Coming soon!

Do I have time to go to Miami or Miami Beach?
Downtown Miami Due to increased security checkpoint wait times, you should allow yourself at least 3 hours between connections if you do not have Priority or Pre✓. A taxi to the city center should take approximately 12-17 minutes and will cost approximately $22. Because traffic to and from the airport can be unpredictable, consider taking the Metrorail Orange Line in lieu of a taxi. It is a 15-minute ride from the airport to the city center and trains run every 10-15 minutes except late nights. A roundtrip is $4.50.

Miami Beach Allow at least 3˝ hours between connections due to the possibility of heavy traffic on the highways between the beach and the mainland. A taxi to the beach should take approximately 22-27 minutes and will cost $35 (flat rate) if going south of 63rd Street. For reference, South Beach and most of the tourist spots are south of 23rd Street. Consider taking the 150 Miami Beach Airport Express bus from the airport to the beach. It is a 31-minute ride from the airport to the Lincoln Road Mall and buses run every 20 minutes. A roundtrip is $4.50.
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ARCHIVE: 2015-19 AA Guide: MIA / Miami International Airport, MCT / Connection, etc.

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Old Jan 27, 2019, 10:06 am
  #511  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
Originally Posted by ringingup
At MIA, do you have to use the normal security line if you are eligible for Flagship check-in but don’t have TSA pre-check?
You will be able to access the Priority/Premium line, which gets you more quickly to the front of the regular TSA line. Helpful, though, if there are lots of people in the regular line.
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Old Jan 27, 2019, 11:22 am
  #512  
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Originally Posted by ringingup
Apologies for asking on two different threads, but I think this may be more appropriate.

Do you have to have precheck to clear security via Flagship check-in?
Crossposting is not okay on FlyerTalk. Please don’t.

Moderator

Last edited by JDiver; Jan 27, 2019 at 3:14 pm
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Old Jan 27, 2019, 3:15 pm
  #513  
 
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Thank you for your kind answers. It was such a relief to be able to skip the long security line!
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Old Jan 31, 2019, 9:53 am
  #514  
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: GSP
Programs: Marriott Platinum Premier Elite/ Hilton Silver
Posts: 16
Bgi -mia- clt

Looking at booking AASaver ticket and the connection between at MIA is 1 hr and 28 min. This appears to be an illegal connection. Can I book this and then call and ask for the BGI-CLT nonstop since they sold me what appears to be an illegal connection?
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Old Jan 31, 2019, 11:26 am
  #515  
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Originally Posted by Dswank
Looking at booking AASaver ticket and the connection between at MIA is 1 hr and 28 min. This appears to be an illegal connection. Can I book this and then call and ask for the BGI-CLT nonstop since they sold me what appears to be an illegal connection?
What is your date of travel? All of the afternoon BGI-MIA-CLT connections I saw looked be between 1:45-2:00 hrs. It's surprising that aa.com will sell you that since 1:28 is indeed below the 1:35 MCT. You could certainly try to book it and see it the computer eventually flags it and rebooks you, if that were to happen you should be able to ask for the nonstop, YMMV.
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Old Feb 1, 2019, 6:39 am
  #516  
 
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Programs: Marriott Platinum Premier Elite/ Hilton Silver
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July 9th
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Old Feb 1, 2019, 7:47 am
  #517  
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Originally Posted by Dswank
July 9th
I don't see any BGI-MIA-CLT options on July 9 with a 1:28 connection at MIA. What specific flights? Shortest connection I see is a 1:46.
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Old Feb 1, 2019, 10:44 am
  #518  
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: GSP
Programs: Marriott Platinum Premier Elite/ Hilton Silver
Posts: 16
Originally Posted by JJeffrey
I don't see any BGI-MIA-CLT options on July 9 with a 1:28 connection at MIA. What specific flights? Shortest connection I see is a 1:46.
wow..i must have been on a different planet yesterday. my transit time is almost 2 1/2 hours. I need to go back to school to tell time. I guess i was just hopeful to be able to get the NS but not pay for it.
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Old Feb 2, 2019, 4:15 am
  #519  
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 1
Qatar and American Flights - Connection in MIA, Procedures?

Hi! I have a flight from Bali to Guatemala booked on Expedia. Bali to Qatar and Qatar to Miami is Qatar Airways. Miami to Guatemala is American Airlines. I understand they are partners and codeshare but I don't understand exactly what that means. Will I have to recheck bags in Miami or will have a seemless connection ? I only have a two hour layover so I'm hoping it's the latter... Thanks!
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Old Feb 2, 2019, 5:15 am
  #520  
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin
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All international passengers arriving in the US (except for flights from international airports with US preclearance facilities) must claim their bags and go through passport control and customs in the US before making either a domestic or international connection. There is no international to international transit as there would be in many other places in the world. Miami is often crowded at passport control due to the large number of international flights from latin america and the caribbean.

If you have a single ticket for all flights you will be able to quickly recheck your bags just after you clear customs. If you have separate tickets then it will take more time as you will need to check in with AA.

Last edited by millionmiler; Feb 2, 2019 at 5:31 am
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Old Feb 2, 2019, 7:22 am
  #521  
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Originally Posted by millionmiler
If you have a single ticket for all flights you will be able to quickly recheck your bags just after you clear customs. If you have separate tickets then it will take more time as you will need to check in with AA.
Keep in mind that outbound bag screening at MIA is often behind; and there's been more than one occasion when I made the flight easily but my checked bag did not. The particularly memorable one was when I flew MIA-CDG-HEL-DME in J. Although I checked in three hours before departure, my bag still missed the flight out of MIA and, with all the connections, got to DME three days late.
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Old Feb 2, 2019, 8:19 am
  #522  
Moderator: American AAdvantage
 
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Originally Posted by millionmiler
All international passengers arriving in the US (except for flights from international airports with US preclearance facilities) must claim their bags and go through passport control and customs in the US before making either a domestic or international connection. There is no international to international transit as there would be in many other places in the world. Miami is often crowded at passport control due to the large number of international flights from latin america and the caribbean.

If you have a single ticket for all flights you will be able to quickly recheck your bags just after you clear customs. If you have separate tickets then it will take more time as you will need to check in with AA.
This is incorrect. (Highlighted for the OP.)

While immigration must be passed at every US port of entry, international to international baggage may be checked through without the need to recover it at two US airports: Miami / MIA and Dallas - Fort Worth / DFW. The OP must request international to international tagging all the way to Guate and if that’s not possible in Bali / DPS, the OP will have to pass through immigration, retrieve baggage, process customs and recheck baggage at the bag drop facility just exiting customs. (This assumes the entire trip is ticketed together / on the same PNR. Separately purchased ticketing will require the latter process.)

Going to the left there’s a security queue to process those with boarding passes back airside.

See Checked baggage DFW & MIA “ITI” international to international transit

and

AA Guide: MIA / Miami International Airport, MCT / Connection, etc.
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Old Feb 2, 2019, 9:12 am
  #523  
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
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Originally Posted by Brdcrr1
Hi! I have a flight from Bali to Guatemala booked on Expedia. Bali to Qatar and Qatar to Miami is Qatar Airways. Miami to Guatemala is American Airlines. I understand they are partners and codeshare but I don't understand exactly what that means. Will I have to recheck bags in Miami or will have a seemless connection ? I only have a two hour layover so I'm hoping it's the latter... Thanks!
If you are on one ticket AA will rebook you to a later flight if you don't make it. 2 hours seem to be doable, but if your inbound is somewhat late or you have longer queues at immigration you could easily miss your AA flight.
If you are on two different tickets or need to recheck bags then 2 hours are very risky - especially because you need to recheck bags not later than 60 min (i hope this is true) before the AA flight which would leave only one hour for deplaning, immigration, waiting for luggage and making your way over to AA. Can you route thru MAD and take Iberia directly to GUA or some other routing which avoids the US?
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Old Feb 2, 2019, 2:23 pm
  #524  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: AA EXP. HH DIAMOND.
Posts: 224
DOH has US preclearance not sure how that will factor in for your forward travel

EDIT. my fault bad info. AUH is what I was thinking.

Last edited by nismo240ssx; Feb 2, 2019 at 8:17 pm
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Old Feb 2, 2019, 3:04 pm
  #525  
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Originally Posted by nismo240ssx
DOH has US preclearance not sure how that will factor in for your forward travel
Hi,

I thought only Abu Dhabi had preclearance in the Middle East and not Doha?

Regards

TBS
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