I don't have answers to all your questions, only opinions for what it's worth.

Regarding Days Inn, unless somebody here has stayed there recently, I would call or email Days Inn to make sure 18-year-olds can check in. There wouldn't be any legal issues with it, but some hotel chains have their own policies and it's always best to check. You will be required to present photo ID when checking in. That shouldn't be a problem as you'll have your passport (a drivers license should also be fine).

Regarding immigration, I have connected in Atlanta before but not on an international flight (I was going San Francisco > Atlanta > Ft. Lauderdale). My experience with almost every flight has been that your baggage is taken on to the next flight for you. They almost always try to get it to your ultimate destination. However, you should double check with the airline if you have any doubts.

2.5 hours should be plenty of time for your connecting flight. Flights typically don't close their gates until 15 minutes before departure, which would leave 2 hours. Of course, people's experiences with immigration can vary and it takes longer for some than for others. If, for some reason, you were to miss your connection the airline would put you on the next available flight.

Immigration is always a bit of a lottery. Sometimes they are nice, sometimes not so nice. My advice is to get a doctor's note detailing your cerebral palsy. Make sure the note states that you are perfectly fit to fly but it should list any physical limitations you might have (you mentioned fingerprinting being an issue). With immigration, just remember not to take it personally. A couple of members on here have been quite vocal in their dislike of US immigration and took it all rather personally, when in reality the immigration officers are just doing their job (and probably being nice isn't part of their job description). Personally, I've never had any issues with US immigration but it's been a few years since I had to go through it.

You asked if there is anything else you should be aware of and something in your post caught my eye. I wasn't sure if you were saying you were MEETING people who are seeking work, or if you yourself will be seeking work for a year. I should point out that you can only legally remain in the US for 3 months on a visitor's visa.

Also, make sure you have the address you will be staying at to hand. You will be given immigration and customs forms to fill out on the flight. These must be handed in when you get to immigration in Atlanta. They are small forms and don't take long to fill in. The last time I used them, the immigration form was green and the customs form was white.

we had to collect our luggage when we landed in Houston for an onward flight to New Orleans. We had 4 hours inbetween flights, not through choice, and were ages getting through immigration- ( we decided that in future we would give ourselves at least 3 hours between flights). We also had to do the same the last time we went to NO( and that was through Memphis)
We did find immigration friendly though- both times, so I would not worry about it.

Thanks for the help.

To clarify - I'm meeting friends

and there's other people I'm possibly meeting regarding the gap year work.

But yes - will look to get a doctors note - a lot of people have said that it is hard to notice that I have cerebral palsy now (just my left hand and leg being affected)

At Atlanta 2 years back, there was problems at the fingerprinting with my left hand, it took 3 or so attempts. They just said to mention it next time, so I will do that.

It's frustrating though - why cant they be content with Photo ID?

Regarding the baggage - should I call delta - as it is them I'll fly with, they've been nice before and just check?

best to phone Lucas. Obviously different airlines vary with luggage. I actually thought you had to go through immigration in the first port of call in the US and all luggage had to come off at that point- but I may be wrong!

Thanks Fiona!

Just very nervous as this will be my first flight alone and I want it to pass without any problems!

Yes, you will have to go through immigration at your first stop in the US, in this case Atlanta. You will not need to go through immigration again at your next port of call. But I think Fiona might be correct in what she says about luggage coming off, but call the airline to confirm.

Yes you will have to go through immigration and customs at your first airport in the US so you will have to retreive your luggage to clear customs. However there should be a place nearby where you drop it off again for it to be forwarded to your next flight.

luci

You will need to collect your luggage and go through US customs at Atlanta. Most International airports here have a place right outside customs hall at which you deposit your luggage for it to be sent on to your connecting flight. You should not have to transport it yourself if you are continuing with the SAME airline.
As far as getting off your flight and going through customs that should be plenty of time,make sure you have all your ducks in a row as far as customs declarations etc then the difficult part is guessing how long it will take you to get through Immigration. It just depends how many non-US passengers are on your flight and how straightforward or otherwise their initial screening is.
I just called the toll-free number Days Inn Clark Sarasota have listed and the reservations lady told me you have to be 21 or older to make a reservation. arrgh (sorry).
BTW- take a look at the awful reviews of that place on tripadvisor.com
And something else that occurs to me,it is difficult to make any reservation in the US without a major credit card, debit cards and cash will NOT DO,they want to be able to charge against a VISA,Mastercard etc. That comes as a surprise to lots of travelers.
Try looking at Holiday Inns in the area,they do accept reservations from 18 yrs old.
Good luck.

I'm not sure I understand the comment above. Many debit cards DO come with a VISA or MasterCard logo on them and they are perfectly fine for booking things in the US.

If you are looking for budget hotels, try Best Western instead of Days Inn. Most Best Westerns are decent. You will need to find out the minimum age for booking, though.

Well,he may be too young to book a rental car but for example,if you try to rent a car at any of the major agencies (at our airport anyway,I know for SURE) they will not take a debit card- they will not rent with cash either- it HAS to be a credit card.

emdia, sorry but I still don't believe that is true for the majority of rental car companies. I have used both US and UK debit cards numerous times to rent a car (although I admit it's been a few years since I had a UK debit card). As long as it has the VISA or MasterCard logo on it, there shouldn't be any problems. I could understand there being an issue with, say, Switch, because you can't get Switch cards in the US. But VISA and MasterCard should be just fine.

Perhaps somebody who has recently rented a car in the US can confirm that debit cards are fine provided they have VISA or MasterCard on them?

Sorry- I don't know what used to be,only what is. I deal with this and try to avoid the flak from it almost daily. One national chain relented last week but made the customer obtain copies of 3 months of his savings and checking account statements before they would proceed and that was only because he was a celebrity of some clout. They want credit cards.

But are you talking about UK rental companies or US ones? I'm talking about US ones, which is what the original question was about.

US rentals,all the major companies. It comes as a big surprise to lots of people,which was my original point.

I can't see Lucas asking about credit/debit cards?
Lucas
best to phone or email ahead the hotel you decide upon and find out if you can check in and also what form they want payment. Let us know how you get on and any other questions- just ask away!

No he doesn't ask specifically about debit cards- he asked "Is there anything else I should be aware of?"
Making a reservation at a Days Inn hotel was one of his questions- which I addressed. Many hotels do have a 21 age restriction.
Reservations,of any kind,while traveling in the US can be tricky with a debit card.
Just trying to let him "be aware" of that.

As it's been a few years since I used a UK debit card in the US, I'll take your word for it. Obviously things have changed drastically in the last few years because I've never had a problem making a reservation with either a UK or a US debit card. Perhaps they've completely changed policies in the last few years.

GEButton- I will be there Monday,and I'll find out for you when it changed and what is their rationale.
It is a challenge to try to assist passengers who find themselves stranded,although they have plenty of cash, at an International airport.Going by taxi is prohibitive,and Greyhound is well,Greyhound .
It comes under the general heading of 'things you need to find out before you travel' but as young people often do not have credit,that's the reason I thought it was pertinent to mention it.

Oh I've been here (US) for years but I no longer have a UK debit card.