<p>Disclosure: Obviously I am not an international traveler. :)</p>
<p>I will be picking up relatives from France from the airport tomorrow. Haven’t seen this cousin in 30 years - exciting, but I have no idea what they will look like!! </p>
<p>Anyway, large airport and I’m concerned about finding them. Current plan is to hang out in the baggage area and hope to find them. I have my cousin’s cell phone - it is a 10 digit number given to me in this manner 000-00-00-00-00. Will I be able to contact her dialing it that way? Do I need a “1” in front of it or something else? How steep are the charges going to be???</p>
<p>I just have no idea! Any help appreciated CC friends… :)</p>
<p>The “1” we dial for long distance in the USA is actually our country code. Each country has its own country code to call its phones, and its own exit code to dial out of the country. </p>
<p>Does the number your cousin gave you starts with 011-33? 011 is the exit code for the USA, and 33 is country code for France. I don’t know how all this works once his french phone is physically located in the US though…</p>
<p>Frankly, the easiest and cheapest thing to do might be to be wait just outside the exit from the Customs area with a large and festive sign with their names on it: “Welcome Pierre and Jeannette!” Then THEY can find YOU!</p>
<p>They may have to claim their bags in a contained area before going thru customs - international incoming flights work differently than domestic flights. I seem to recall that we already had our bags before we went thru customs when we came back from Europe last year, and S had his bag with him when we were waiting for him outside the customs door when he came back from his semester abroad.</p>
<p>Yes, you get your bags and go through customs before you have contact with the outside world, so to speak. The sign is a terrific idea, and if you want to really catch their eye, have it say Bienvenue!</p>
<p>Well, first you call your cell phone co to find out if your cell phone is allowed to call international, if not what takes to call.</p>
<p>When you are centrain the internatioal calling is activated, dial 011 before the 33 so you can ring their phone. I suggest to talk as short as possible as their phone is on roaming and it will cost them about $2 per minute.</p>
<p>Another option is “Skype to go”. You have to have deposit with Skype and signup for “Skype to go”. You can call a local number and be redirected to the Franch Cell Phone number. To you it is lot cheaper than using the cell phone directly, but to them, it is roaming.</p>
<p>Ok, I made the sign (Bienvenue!) w/their names and will be there in time to find customs and an area where I can wait.</p>
<p>Funny, cause while we always use this airport (Detroit) we are used to just pulling up to the curb to drop off or pick-up immediate family members. I haven’t actually PARKED and gone in as a pick up person in ages! </p>
<p>Does anyone happen to be aware where the International Customs area is at Detroit Metro? My best look on the website (no one answers any phone calls) is that it is in the lower level of McNamera terminal. Any other info for seasoned Metro travelers?</p>
<p>Exits from customs areas are very controlled, just one door or ramp from where they are processed. They will have their bags with them, so when you see them they will be ready to go. Typically international travelers take longer to go through customs and immigration, so do not get panicky if an hour goes by…they have to wait in line to have passport stamped, then wait for their bags, then line up to go through customs, and sometimes further examination of what they have brought with them. Only then will they come out to you, but they will be ready to go. Enjoy your visit!</p>
<p>If they are making their first stop in Detroit on an overseas flight, they will come into the International terminal. If they stop in NY, Chicago, etc. first, then they will go into whichever terminal services their airline. The International terminal is the first one on the right as you enter the aiport. Park your car and go into the terminal. There is only one door they can come through and they will already have cleared customs and immigration and have their bags. You can’t miss them. Texting their phone would be a lot cheaper then calling it, but again, there is only one door they can come though so you shouldn’t have much problem finding them, unless they made a connection.</p>
<p>3BM are you talking first on the right if you come off I-94 - I remember that being the OLD international terminal but I believe both my cousins and the website mentioned international at McNamara - this will be the first stop in the US.</p>
<p>It all actually went well! I didn’t end up having to use the sign for a couple of reasons.</p>
<p>One, while I was sitting in the lounge area they had right outside the big doors for customs, some people for whatever reason DIDN’T come out that door and turned out they were outside looking for me (just yards away from where I was sitting)! My cousin did call me and it worked fine - we shall see what kind of charge I get for that (but I don’t really care).</p>
<p>Second, guess time has been decent to both of us. We recognized each other. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for all the tips and suggestions though! The whole process was actually smooth and easy!</p>