Travel Procedure - Urgent

[Mano]

Thanks for your time. My parents are travelling in another 4 days from Chennai to US. Can you help me with the following details?

1. They got a single ticket issued for travel from Chennai to Frankfurt through Lufthansa and from Frankfurt to Charlotte Douglas through US Airways and again from Charlotte to Washington Dulles through US Airways. It is believed to be said by the travel agent that since its a single ticket they can check in luggage at Chennai and then will have to checkout only at final destination Washington DC. But I tried to call the lufthansa airlines and they say that the first stop in US they will have to checkout luggage, do immigration, customs etc. They say that the weight limit is the same through the local airlines as well. Am not sure which one is correct. Could you help?

2. I need some guidelines on the step by step procedure for their travel all the way from Chennai to here... like for ex., all steps and travels in shuttles etc included. Its been a while for me and do not remember all of them in order, but would have to guide them.

3. How much cash would they need in their hands to handle any emergency? Planning to take some travellers checks.. would they also need any cash?

Thanks all for your time.

[SuCo]

try posting an ad here on immihelp to find a travel companion. You might find somebody.
Also many people write a letter to the hostess.. to help out while on plane with filling forms etc.