Hi all! Looking for the best way to:
1: Make sure my friend and I can meet up in/after Arrivals in T8 at JFK, and
2: Then make our way to Times Square together

I'm flying internationally, they're flying domestic (from CLT). I'll be landing about 2.5 hours before they do, which should give me time to clear the non-US immigration line (raucous laughter, I've never cleared JFK immigration in under three hours, but let's see how it goes this time!)

Is there somewhere around baggage reclaim / post-immigration where I can wait for them, that I can easily reference to them for them to find me at? Am I allowed to lurk in baggage reclaim for a while until they arrive? Will intl / domestic baggage reclaim be in different areas?

Once we find each other, we'll have 3-4 items of luggage and 2-3 items of carry-on size. Two or three of those items of luggage will be heavy (I have a 32kg allowance and I intend on hitting it with at least two bags).

Is there a way we can get both of us and all our stuff to Times Square without lugging it up/down stairs?

The option I'm seeing at the moment is either Carmel Limos (a minivan at about $90, plus tolls and tip), or a lyft (variable but roughly the same at around 9PM).

Would the Airtrain / LIRR route be feasible with so much luggage?

Thanks in advance for any tips and tricks!