Come on Vacation, Leave on Probation
Dec 1, 2013, 8:30 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 574
Come on Vacation, Leave on Probation
I'd be interested to hear opinions on why Florida 1960->2000
went from "Where the Boys Are" innocence and adventure to "COPS." Making money on legitimate travel (say, Miami Beach) is a lot less messy than involving courts and K9s.
(As an example of how things have deteriorated, about 35 % of the Miami airport reviews on SKYTRAX contain the word "nightmare" especially if customs is involved)
went from "Where the Boys Are" innocence and adventure to "COPS." Making money on legitimate travel (say, Miami Beach) is a lot less messy than involving courts and K9s.
(As an example of how things have deteriorated, about 35 % of the Miami airport reviews on SKYTRAX contain the word "nightmare" especially if customs is involved)
Last edited by yandosan; Dec 1, 2013 at 8:49 am
Dec 1, 2013, 2:38 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 29
Come on Vacation, Leave on Probation
Really? When? Miami airport was hit by a hurricane in 2004 (Wilma) which impacted terminal operations, and subsequently has been going through upgrades that have improved it substantially. I have recently found customs no worse than any other point of entry. I think the renovations are complete but I can't be sure.
I will say the walk from gate to car rental door, however, is quite long at MIA; arriving from the Caribbean also requires quite a trek to customs and security to get to connecting gates.
I will say the walk from gate to car rental door, however, is quite long at MIA; arriving from the Caribbean also requires quite a trek to customs and security to get to connecting gates.
Dec 1, 2013, 4:35 pm
#3
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For more discussion, please follow the thread to its new home in the Florida forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.
Dec 1, 2013, 7:50 pm
#4
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I don't understand the question. I can see that the public perception of Florida went from it being a relaxed, happy-go-lucky state for middle-class beach vacations, to a place seen as a violent, third-world dysfunctional mess - that started in the 80s; remember Miami Vice?
But I have no idea where Skytrax reviews of MIA fit into this.
But I have no idea where Skytrax reviews of MIA fit into this.
Dec 2, 2013, 2:55 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
It doesn't. Skytrax reviews can't be used to judge the surrounding metropolitan area. Example: DTW has a score of 8.1 out of 10.
Of course, the other source cited by the OP is a reality TV show. The standard of credibility for assessment is fairly low.
Of course, the other source cited by the OP is a reality TV show. The standard of credibility for assessment is fairly low.
Dec 2, 2013, 6:06 am
#6
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 574
The Skytrax reviews are full of stories of gov't officials with an
angry bug up their arse: That's consistent with the ubiquitous cops there and the de facto Florida motto these days :"Come on vacation, leave on probation."
They seemed to have turned their backs on Public Relations in favor
of the thrill of giving people the third degree.
Examples:
Dreadful airport. Do not transit at any cost!
---
I've had the misfortune to have to go through MIA twice in the last three months. The first time, the queue in Immigration was horrific, taking almost 2 hours to get througj
---
I would be very reluctant to use this airport again.
----------
This is the worst airport experience I've ever had.
--__
What a mess! Transiting from Caymans to Heathrow on American Airlines. Even with assistance of airline it took 3 hours to clear through the process
angry bug up their arse: That's consistent with the ubiquitous cops there and the de facto Florida motto these days :"Come on vacation, leave on probation."
They seemed to have turned their backs on Public Relations in favor
of the thrill of giving people the third degree.
Examples:
Dreadful airport. Do not transit at any cost!
---
I've had the misfortune to have to go through MIA twice in the last three months. The first time, the queue in Immigration was horrific, taking almost 2 hours to get througj
---
I would be very reluctant to use this airport again.
----------
This is the worst airport experience I've ever had.
--__
What a mess! Transiting from Caymans to Heathrow on American Airlines. Even with assistance of airline it took 3 hours to clear through the process
Dec 2, 2013, 4:53 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
You're assuming facts not in evidence. Please provide your rationale for using the experience of one single airport as the basis for denigrating a diverse state with over 19 million residents.
Dec 2, 2013, 10:06 pm
#9
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It is really hard to make sense of OP's post: he/she conflates the whole State of Florida with a tiny enclave (Miami Beach) and the US-Government-run side of the Miami Airport.
In his/her second post in this thread it appears that the rant was directed to the immigration and customs experience at MIA.
If so, you must understand that most people arriving in Miami are non-US citizens / inexperienced travelers on vacation / frequently whole families with children and older people / people that don't speak english and are not familiar with all the procedures and regulations of CBP. If you think about it for a second, what would you expect to happen?
If you can avoid MIA, do it. It will be better for you and for the others (one less to go ...)
If your rant was not MIA-related; I don't know what to say, as I don't know what you was attempting to say.
In his/her second post in this thread it appears that the rant was directed to the immigration and customs experience at MIA.
If so, you must understand that most people arriving in Miami are non-US citizens / inexperienced travelers on vacation / frequently whole families with children and older people / people that don't speak english and are not familiar with all the procedures and regulations of CBP. If you think about it for a second, what would you expect to happen?
If you can avoid MIA, do it. It will be better for you and for the others (one less to go ...)
If your rant was not MIA-related; I don't know what to say, as I don't know what you was attempting to say.
Dec 3, 2013, 7:40 am
#10
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It is really hard to make sense of OP's post: he/she conflates the whole State of Florida with a tiny enclave (Miami Beach) and the US-Government-run side of the Miami Airport.
In his/her second post in this thread it appears that the rant was directed to the immigration and customs experience at MIA.
If so, you must understand that most people arriving in Miami are non-US citizens / inexperienced travelers on vacation / frequently whole families with children and older people / people that don't speak english and are not familiar with all the procedures and regulations of CBP. If you think about it for a second, what would you expect to happen?
If you can avoid MIA, do it. It will be better for you and for the others (one less to go ...)
If your rant was not MIA-related; I don't know what to say, as I don't know what you was attempting to say.
In his/her second post in this thread it appears that the rant was directed to the immigration and customs experience at MIA.
If so, you must understand that most people arriving in Miami are non-US citizens / inexperienced travelers on vacation / frequently whole families with children and older people / people that don't speak english and are not familiar with all the procedures and regulations of CBP. If you think about it for a second, what would you expect to happen?
If you can avoid MIA, do it. It will be better for you and for the others (one less to go ...)
If your rant was not MIA-related; I don't know what to say, as I don't know what you was attempting to say.
Dec 3, 2013, 7:44 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 574
f so, you must understand that most people arriving in Miami are non-US citizens / inexperienced travelers on vacation / frequently whole families with children and older people / people that don't speak english and are not familiar
You're not getting it. I stood in that miserable 3 hour line for just a connecting flight. We were treated like immigrants, even with valid US passports. The guards cursed at people and threatened them for arrest for the most
trivial things. The airport is a mess, and in some ways, so is the whole corrupt
state. No crowd control, no courtesy at all. The 90% disapproval rate on SKYTRAX might change your mind if
you think I'm making this up, or maybe you're so beaten down by Big Brother this seems like normal conditions to you.
You're not getting it. I stood in that miserable 3 hour line for just a connecting flight. We were treated like immigrants, even with valid US passports. The guards cursed at people and threatened them for arrest for the most
trivial things. The airport is a mess, and in some ways, so is the whole corrupt
state. No crowd control, no courtesy at all. The 90% disapproval rate on SKYTRAX might change your mind if
you think I'm making this up, or maybe you're so beaten down by Big Brother this seems like normal conditions to you.
Dec 3, 2013, 3:32 pm
#12
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f so, you must understand that most people arriving in Miami are non-US citizens / inexperienced travelers on vacation / frequently whole families with children and older people / people that don't speak english and are not familiar
You're not getting it. I stood in that miserable 3 hour line for just a connecting flight. We were treated like immigrants, even with valid US passports. The guards cursed at people and threatened them for arrest for the most
trivial things. The airport is a mess, and in some ways, so is the whole corrupt
state. No crowd control, no courtesy at all. The 90% disapproval rate on SKYTRAX might change your mind if
you think I'm making this up, or maybe you're so beaten down by Big Brother this seems like normal conditions to you.
You're not getting it. I stood in that miserable 3 hour line for just a connecting flight. We were treated like immigrants, even with valid US passports. The guards cursed at people and threatened them for arrest for the most
trivial things. The airport is a mess, and in some ways, so is the whole corrupt
state. No crowd control, no courtesy at all. The 90% disapproval rate on SKYTRAX might change your mind if
you think I'm making this up, or maybe you're so beaten down by Big Brother this seems like normal conditions to you.
MIA like most other airports was built pre 9/11. Other than the two AA concourses none are connected and require a trip back through Security. And the new D is light years better than when it was Concourses a through D (AA). You think MIA is bad spend some time at EWR.
Dec 3, 2013, 5:48 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
Actually, you're the one not getting it. With the possible exception of airport administrators, I guarantee no one here in South Florida thinks that MIA is an example of a well-run facility. But, your first post bashed the entire state based solely on Skytrax reviews and a reality TV show.
Complain all you want about MIA. But, you shouldn't be surprised that people are calling you out for denigrating an entire state, particularly when it seems clear that the only time you've spent here is at MIA.
Complain all you want about MIA. But, you shouldn't be surprised that people are calling you out for denigrating an entire state, particularly when it seems clear that the only time you've spent here is at MIA.
Dec 5, 2013, 8:54 pm
#14
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Dec 9, 2013, 8:56 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2013
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If you think MIA is bad now you should had seen it 10 years ago. The long lines have nothing to do with MIA and everything to do with the U.S Federal Government. Connecting International-International or International-Domestic no matter what hub you are at is going to be annoying. The problem is MIA has more international passengers than any other big connecting hub and has more immigration problems than any other big connecting hub. ATL, IAH, DFW, DTW, MSP, PHL, CLT. Not including JFK and LAX as big "connecting hubs."
Another factor people have not thought about. MIA has a TON of immigration problems, fraud, human trafficking, drug trafficking, smuggling animals, money etc.. I spent some time working For DHS/I.C.E. and got to tour the facility and spend time observing all stages of the process. When in the passport control station observing an officer at work the first women who came to us had a fake passport. The second man had the wrong visa, and it continues and continues. MIA is a big entry point for a lot of the wrong things. CBP and ICE have to be even more careful than usual at MIA.
In my international travels at MIA I have never spent more than 30mins in lines. I find it hard to believe the U.S. citizens line would be 3 hours long too.
As for the airport itself. It is one of the more modern facilities in the country these days with the vast majority of traffic going through two new and modern terminals the South Terminal and North Terminal.
So you speak about the whole state. When have to visited the state? How many days? Where have you been besides for Miami International Airport? Have you ever even been to the city of Miami?
Another factor people have not thought about. MIA has a TON of immigration problems, fraud, human trafficking, drug trafficking, smuggling animals, money etc.. I spent some time working For DHS/I.C.E. and got to tour the facility and spend time observing all stages of the process. When in the passport control station observing an officer at work the first women who came to us had a fake passport. The second man had the wrong visa, and it continues and continues. MIA is a big entry point for a lot of the wrong things. CBP and ICE have to be even more careful than usual at MIA.
In my international travels at MIA I have never spent more than 30mins in lines. I find it hard to believe the U.S. citizens line would be 3 hours long too.
As for the airport itself. It is one of the more modern facilities in the country these days with the vast majority of traffic going through two new and modern terminals the South Terminal and North Terminal.
So you speak about the whole state. When have to visited the state? How many days? Where have you been besides for Miami International Airport? Have you ever even been to the city of Miami?