Originally Posted by CPH-Flyer

There is a couple of points. Mostly, are you entering on a US passport or do you have Global Entry with your foreign passport? That will matter for the time

You always have to pick up luggage at your first point of entry in to the US and take it through customs and then recheck it. You will save a bit of time by having it checked through to your final destination. But not much

Yes, JAL will check your luggage through to AA on separate tickets. For me with a non US passport I'd be dubious of the 10:15 connection even on a single ticket. But at least I'd have protection to be rebooked. For AA flights, maybe look at LGA or JFK as well as they probably give more options than EWR does. JL will likely not check through to UA.