NEVER transit through MIAMI!

NEVER TRANSIT THROUGH MIAMI!

Don't do what I did on my Miami layover and try to connect from one international flight to another in just 80 minutes.What a drama; caused when American Airlines put back the departure time of my Mexico City to Miami flight by two hours. 80 minutes is not enough time to deplane in miami airport, clear a packed immigration hall, grab my luggage from the carousel and check in to my Miami to São Paulo first class flight. I'll say it again, Never transit in Miami!!

[skitrav]

That’s not just Miami. Most US airports require you to clear customs and get your bags on arrival.
Part of the reason I am sure is that when depart US airports, most of the departure gates are shared both for domestic and international flights. You don't go through a true 'passport' control when you leave hence when you arrive no option to transfer in most US airports

[wlB]

Transiting in the US always require to to clear immigration and drop of your bag again, regardless of a domestic or international connection.

[simonpickering]

Try LAX Terminal 4 - it’s like a provincial bus station in China

[paulmerritt]

You have morphed into one of the very best travel bloggers available. I know Miami airport very well. It has always been tough. So much volume. Enjoy São Paulo.

[justahomosapiens]

I've flown over a million miles with AA, we could say I'm familiar with them.

They couldn't care less about customer service, horrible horrible airline.

[zarkobacovic]

Love how Kim actually uses his platform to call out things like problems these.

[Leopardosx]

I’ve never heard such unfriendly customer policies. It literally will cost American Airlines extra money to make you collect and recheck your baggage. Silly inefficient and customer unfriendly policies

[howdymartin]

Kym - I did the same a few weeks ago Seville to Heathrow via Barcelona --- both airlines owned by British Airways but NO you cannot check your bag through... still, I had over 2 hours to pick up luggage in Barca and check in Seville plane landed on time but luggage took an age to arrive then BA had only 2 desks open to check the bag back in. Flight closed by the time I go to the front of the queue - had to put a huge bag through security and then run to the gate with it.... you are right, life is hell when you travel economy!

[johndansby]

Ooops, forgot to say how much I love your experiences traveling 200+ days a year across the F1 world…there are the good moments too…like the San Paulo hotel and that fantastic race that make it all worthwhile and memorable!

[jbp.]

As mentioned this is a transiting through US problem, not just individual Airports like Miami. My flight from Sydney was late arriving in LAX to make my Vancouver connection. My Nexus card got me through Customs without any inconvenience, but the Checked bag ended up with a handwritten tag that was untraceable. Fortunately it made it to Vancouver, but not to my home airport.
It is always my priority to avoid transiting through the US, but it's not always possible. Add to this that often even the Trusted Traveler experience through security is the worst in the world that I have experienced...I'm just scratching the surface on how bad the transiting through US experience, starting with annoying official people at Sydney's airport.
(thanks for letting me vent 😎)

[JBS-hgll]

In Feb. I arrived from LHR on a Sunday evening. Our flight was late.
We all trooped along and arrived at the carousel. However, someone had swiped a door open and left it open such that around 300 of us missed Immigration!
They caught up with us and made us go all the way back.
I missed my connection to my cruise and needed hotel stops and extra flight to catch up.
Miami is not user friendly.

[EyeInTheSkypaulmcmenamin]

British airways are not allowing me to combine my tickets either flying through Heathrow. Seems ridiculous

[richardquinn]

I work for an Irish International Airline and with us, if you have purchased two separate tickets you cannot through check your bags.
Also, your first point entry into Unite states you are obliged to clear US Customs and Border protection.
Even if bags had been through checked you would have had to claim them for Customs.

[barryomahony]

Ever since 9/11 you can no longer internationally transit through U.S. airports. You are now forced to clear Customs. Even if the two flights were on the same record, you would still need to pick up your bag and re-check it.

[joergr]

I live in Barbados and Miami is our main travel hub. Immigration is a nightmare and you always have to pick up your luggage, exit Customs, re check luggage and go again through security. Has been like this for decades and I doubt it will change now....

[ShaunO]

I love the first world travel problems. I’ve experienced them myself. I encountered this same issue flying on Aero Mexico through Mexico City on the way to Buenos Aires, where I had to collect my bag and go through immigration. Same thing two years ago traveling from Munich to LHR, connecting to SFO. It happens - shrug

[davidheaney]

Hi Kim, you are so right, I refuse to fly through any American Airports. Its not the staffs fault its just the system. Every time I used to fly from the UK I was delayed on the way to south America.

[Loppu]

Honestly Kym you are the institution for airline tarvel,
Be it you travel business, which i can't afford but its still very informative.
I mostly watch for f1 of course

[charlotterance]

To be fair, when flying into Australia internationally, you also have to clear customs and recheck luggage before your connecting flight.

[jancam]

Nice little cameo from Ruth Buscome-Divey.