Originally Posted by
windowontheAside
I don't think that's the case. The US doesn't recognise 'transit' - they would have to enter the US which involves reclaiming their bags and clearing US customs before rechecking them for the connection.
They may be able to drop them off right after customs without having to go all around to landside checkin, but last time I transited through MIA, I had to take mine all the way out and join the checkin queues.
I was rather surprised by this and asked about half a dozen agents and they all told me the same. There is no such thing as transit.
Incorrect. MIA (and a couple other US airports) now have the ability to have your bags transferred for you on international-international connections involving certain airlines - and BA to AA is one - as long as the bags are properly tagged. You still have to go through immigration, but you do get to skip the baggage reclaim rigamorole.