Okay. So if you are flying from Cancun back to the US, and say you are taking a one stop flight as oppose to direct flight and you want to go to NYC. Say the first connecting flight is from Cancun to Charlotte. Then there is a layover. Then the connecting flight would be from Charlotte to NYC.


So the flight goes from Cancun to Charlotte. Then let say there is a 1.5 hour layover. Then the flight departs from Charlotte to NYC. And let's use another example where there is a 3 hour layover.


So when you fly from Cancun to Charlotte and get off, you will clear US customs when you get out. However, couldn't this process take a long if there is lot of people. Then you will have to go and wait for your checked luggage at the carousel right? However, couldn't this take very long though as there could be delays in this? So after this is done, you would then need to drop off your checked luggage at the American Airlines counter? But do you need to talk to the airline agent? I assume not but where do you then give your checked luggage at? But someone has to give you a receipt for you luggage drop right? This is the desk right next to the checkin but that rarely has any people waiting in line much because that is for people who are doing a connecting flight?


Now after this is done, do you need to go through the scanners again where you take off your shoes and put all your belongings in the bin and go through that? Because if you have to do all this, isn't a 1.5 hour layover really cutting it close or not enough time? I mean going through customs does take at least 30+ minutes right? I don't recall it ever being that fast even when direct flight from Cancun to US as there is always a line. Then when you wait for your checked luggage at the carousel, that could be another 30 minutes. And by then, going through the scanners could take another 30 minutes. Then how do you even board on time then since they board customers about 30 minutes or so before takeoff?


Then you also have to factor if your flight from Cancun to Charlotte is delayed or not. But assuming things go fast, how long would it take to clear customs... then pick up your checked luggage at the carousel and then go through the scanners again? Because if you have to not only wait to pick up your checked luggage at the carousel and wait for that... but also go through the scanners again... this seems like it will be very close. Can someone here confirm all I said here is correct? I had thought you didn't had to pick up your checked luggage. Also you pick up your checked luggage after clearing customs?


So wouldn't 3 hours for a layover be more safe in this example? Say 2.5 hours is probably okay? So what happens if you miss your connecting flight if your first flight from Cancun to Charlotte is delayed? Or it take long time to wait for luggage in carousel? Also don't you have to make sure you get through the scanner for domestic flights within 30 minutes of your flight, or they won't let you go through?