Originally Posted by
jerry90210
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.
CLT is a hub for AA, the process typically is quite smooth.
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?
Assuming you check bags - yes, in theory there could be delays. In practice - there are rarely issues.
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?
No, you don't need to talk to anyone. You go through customs, you drop the bags, which are tagged to the final destination, they scan the barcode, and off you go to security and your connecting flight.
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?
It depends on the season, airport, situation. Without bags and with Global Entry, I typically make it in 15 minutes. Security takes a few more minutes (depending on the airport)
Then how do you even board on time then since they board customers about 30 minutes or so before takeoff?
You need to be on the plane at T-15 minutes.
So wouldn't 3 hours for a layover be more safe in this example? Say 2.5 hours is probably okay?
It really depends. 3 hours should be safe, regardless. 90 minutes is doable if there are no major delays.
If you have no bags, you could do it in 60 minutes.
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?
They put you on the next available flight. You can change the flight either at the rebooking desk, past customs when you drop the bags, or you can change the flight at the customer service center past security. Security will let you go through as long as you have a BP for the same day (even if the flight already left).