www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I flew AA to Miami and then to catch my flight to SJ. I carry an extra item, my CPAP unit. Usually I get reminders or advice that I can only have two items, usually at the boarding gates. When I tell them that it's a medical device, I have always been allowed to continue without delay.

At Miami, the same thing happened. I informed the agent that it was a medical device. Another agent stopped me while proceeding to the walkway. I explained further what it was. Then a most curious thing happened: he then wanted me to place my carryon in the measuring frame.

Usually I take things in stride, however this time it p****** me off. I complied, but questioned why I was asked to measure my carryon when the issue was my third device. I argued for a moment, but stopped when I realized in the PC age that further "debate" would just go against me.

After recovering my senses, I wondered if it was discrimination. He was of Latino descent, I would guess Cuban (not because it's Miami solely). I have heard from my Costa Rican friends who are US citizens and friends of Mexican descent that they have been given the most scrutiny at the Miami airport, and believe that they are being discriminated against. It is always with an immigration official who is Hispanic.

Any thoughts or experiences?

I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you asking if you were discriminated against because the agent was Hispanic and you weren't? Or because you are Hispanic? Do you feel asking you to place your carry-on in the measuring frame is a discriminatory action? Is it possible the agent (TSA? Airline?) thought your carry-on was oversized and wanted to verify it?

I'm of Hispanic descent, live in Miami, and travel frequently through MIA. I haven't experienced any discrimination by INS or TSA employees at MIA, despite having gone through it literally hundreds of times throughout the years. Inconvenience, construction, bad food, high prices, rude or stupid employees, long walks from the gate to immigration, random rules and regulations, yes - overt discrimination, no. I've been discriminated more at the HDR.

mh

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mh

Sorry for the inconsistency. I should relate that a Tico Mexicana couple (US citizens now) related that they found they faced the biggest problems travel from Hispanic Immigration and airline employees, and related that they faced more hassles going through Miami. Never had a problem in the 90's, but found it odd. Appreciate your experiences, will not read anything more into it.

Have had experience arriving at many international us airports. In my opinion, and this has almost always been the case, I have had very few encounters at Miami with hispanic immigration/customs people that would classify as pleasant. I dread arriving there but have no choice. I have no explanation for it, but many of my friends have a similar perception. I am not the only one.

The usual advice is to simply avaoid Miami at all costs.

I have a question too about MIA and AA.

I have a 3 hour layover in MIA going home. I'm flying on an award ticket. I will have no checked bags. Would they let me standby on one of the earlier flights, so I don't have to wait 3 hours?