MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) - Flying can be an intimidating and stressful experience, but one group is set to soar thanks to a program at a South Florida airport.
It was a remarkable day for several students. The goal of the MIAair program is to ensure that anyone, regardless of disability or special needs, can experience the joy of travel and to do so as comfortably as possible.
It was a busy morning at American Airlines’ concurs D in Miami International Airport. The good news for these wanna-be flyers was there was no risk of a delayed flight.
“We actually walk them through the travel experience,” said Ralph Cutie director and CEO of MIA. “They go through our checkpoints.”
With tickets in hand, children and teens with a range of special needs got a feel for the flying experience.
They made their way through the metal detectors, then the MIA Airport Instruction and Readiness program ushers the students to the gate.
“I do plane spotting outside the property of the airport with my dad, and if you are watching dad, I’m here at the airport safe,” said Zachary Gilberts, aviation enthusiast. “I’ve been doing aviation stuff for more than 10 years.”
There, it was a chance for a meet and greet with the pilots and the opportunity to board an American Airlines plane with a tour of the cockpit.
Barbara Torres’ son turned 17 years old on Monday and it was a chance to ease him into travel.
“He loves airplanes, but I have never been able to take him on one, so hopefully today we can desensitize him so he can get on a plane and see the world like he wants to,” Torres said.
And seeing the world is the hope of everyone on board as they got a little more comfortable with the planes and the process so when they go to fly for real, there will be no surprises and the sky can be the limit for them and their families.
“To show our older kids the possibilities of what you can do, going to the airport, being part of the airport, it’s been a wonderful experience,” said Teriann Mann, principal of Atlantis Academy.
More than 30 children were able to participate in this year’s event from Miami Beach Senior High School to Atlantis Academy in Southwest Miami-Dade.
It was good prep before the holiday travel season picks up.
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