 Before you go to the airport to pick up your student: ◦ check the airline website and/or call the airline and confirm that the flight is on time. ◦ If you talk to an agent and ask:  Is the flight scheduled to arrive on time?  Has the plane left the ground yet?

 Your student’s flight came in but he/she was not on the flight: ◦ Check to see if the flight arrived as scheduled. ◦ Talk to an airline representative to find out if there were any delays or cancellations of earlier legs of the student's flight schedule. ◦ Find out which later flights are coming in and ask the airline agent if the student is booked on any of the later flights. Please note that it is airline policy not to give out information about their passengers, so some airline employees might not cooperate - but some will. ◦ Contact your Coordinator, the SPP office (during office hours) at or call the Nacel emergency line at:

 If you get a clear "no" from an airline representative, wait a few minutes and talk to a different representative who might be willing to help you.  Point out that the student is a minor from a foreign country who is traveling for the first time by him/herself. The airlines have a higher responsibility for minors and it often helps to remind them of this responsibility.  Mention that the student may not be able to communicate very well in English, that he/she is possibly very exhausted from the long trip and might be wandering around in the airport.  Show your concern.

 If you have no luck talking to a representative in person, call the airline if you want to find out if your student is booked on a new flight.  Be creative, friendly and persistent - you will most likely find somebody who is willing to take a risk and help you out!  Be patient and polite as it is more likely that they will assist you.

 Your student arrived as scheduled but you can not find him/her in the airport: ◦ Page the student. Talk to an airline representative or someone at the information desk to find out how to do this. ◦ Wait another 30 minutes in the baggage claim area. ◦ If you still cannot locate your student, call your Coordinator or the Nacel Open Door emergency line at The person on call will do their best to help you to locate the student.

 Your student’s luggage did not arrive: ◦ Ask the student for his/her luggage claim ticket and go to the baggage claim counter which is usually near the baggage pick up area, to file a lost baggage form. ◦ The lost luggage will probably arrive on the next flight and the airlines are responsible for delivering the luggage to your home. ◦ Before you leave the airport make sure you have received a phone number you can call to check on the status of the luggage from home.

 Students are allowed to travel in the U.S. and internationally if the opportunity arrives, as long as they have prior permission from the St. Paul Preparatory Office staff.  Students are not permitted to take a trip alone without adult supervision.  Students may travel alone by plane, only if they arrange to be met by an approved adult; but they are not permitted to travel alone by bus or train.

 Certain forms are required for all overnight travel outside of the host community. These forms can be found at: resources.html  Work with your Coordinator or call the SPP Office to determine what forms are necessary if you have questions.

 Student travel forms are necessary for: ◦ Overnight travel outside of the host community with someone who is not the host parent (e.g. another family, band director, church youth group, etc.) ◦ Overnight travel with natural parents within the U.S. ◦ Travel outside of the U.S.

 This completes the ‘Travel Tips & Information’ module.  The next module will address potential problems and coping strategies.