AirTran Airways A+ Rewards - WN SEA-SNA connecting to FL SNA-SJD - long enough connection?

My wife and some of her friends are about to undertake the following itinerary, and I thought I'd ask some advice on whether this is doable, and what they should expect regarding where passport control / customs will have to be dealt with. I'm a frequent domestic flyer on WN, but I've never travelled to Mexico or SNA. My wife has one solo international trip under her belt, but not to Mexico.

WN and FL are separate tickets, obviously.

July 13
WN3155 SEASMF 6:30a-8:15a
WN3514 SMFSNA 9:20a-10:50a
86 minute connection to...
FL11 SNASJD 12:16p-3:32p

July 18
FL30 SJDSNA 4:22p-5:42p
68 minute connection to...
WN3234 SNAOAK 6:50p-8:05p
WN3422 OAKSEA 9:55p-11:45p

I booked the WN flights on points. They are the earliest and latest SEASNA and SNASEA options respectively, so I can't switch their flights to give them more connection time without also doing overnight stays in SNA (I'd rather avoid it, but it's not out of the question if you guys think it's a good idea).

They will not be checking any bags.

I see that WN and FL both operate out of terminal C in SNA. Will they be required to exit security anyway, for a passport check or anything?

Obviously the WN and FL are separate tickets. I'm assuming therefore that we're basically on my own for change fees, new fares, etc. if either connection is missed due to any reason whatsoever. Correct?

Any other advice or potential issues?

Thanks for your expertise!

On the way back they should make it, at SNA it will basically be only the FL aircraft at immigration.

That being said you are on your own and this would be an illegal connection coming back even if your whole itinerary was on FL. Minimum connect from standard Int'l to Domestic is 90 minutes.

Going down to SJD is not a problem, minimum connect even for FL only itineraries is 30 minutes.

They should be able to check-in with passports at the FL gate in SNA. As likely some of the last to check-in I would highly suggest reserving seats for the small fee. Reservations would be happy to do that for you.

Mexico is very picky about passports that are damaged in any way. Washed, crumpled, torn or delaminated photo page can mean denied entry.

I booked the WN flights on points. They are the earliest and latest SEASNA and SNASEA options respectively, so I can't switch their flights to give them more connection time without also doing overnight stays in SNA (I'd rather avoid it, but it's not out of the question if you guys think it's a good idea)

I myself wouldn't book it that tight on the return. I've stayed overnight several times rather than fly on what would have been tight connections or an extremely late arrival at home. (and yes at least once on a missed connection) Arriving fairly early next day by staying overnight mid-point isn't near as bad as it sounds. Arrive home well rested instead of hagard.

Ask your wife... she's the one with friends tagging along that will endure 3 flights in a day and what could be a hectic task in clearing customs and getting back up to the gate at SNA.

If she keeps it as is she certainly would want to check-in online and print boarding passes while in Cabo for the WN flights eliminating a stop at the kiosks or counter.

If you'd refare it for an overnight now the potential savings could be substantial compared to fixing a possible missed connection.

Maybe she and friends would even like an overnight (or two?) in OAK or LAS instead? (both those have later departures out of SNA)

PS- She'll have a great time in Cabo! She'll love you for it but if that connection goes bad.... you likely won't hear the end of it for a long-long time. And for the Husbands out there you don't have to post in agreement ;)

Midway overnights aren't an option due to work schedules, but a couple of the friends live near Portland, so I've rebooked their WN flights in and out of PDX, which gives them 130+ minutes to connect both ways.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Midway overnights aren't an option due to work schedules, but a couple of the friends live near Portland, so I've rebooked their WN flights in and out of PDX, which gives them 130+ minutes to connect both ways.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

That fix seems too easy! ^