Originally Posted by VC10 Boy
I had this vision of TPA as a quaint little airport in the sun, one terminal, breeze right through....
So forgive me for asking to be spoonfed here, but does this Continental flight (operated by Gulfstream International) leave from Termial A and the BA flight arrives into Terminal F?
Obviously I'll clear immigration in F but then how easy is it to get to A?
Timings are arrive at 17:40hrs and fly out at 20:45hrs. There is a connecting flight at 18:25 but I doubt I'll make it in time. I'll only have 1 carry on bag but would expect to have to check that for a prop flight.
TPA is actually quite large, but very well organised IMHO, so it deosn't have that choatoc feel.
I never note exactly which terminal is which, but this is irrelevant as you need to claim your bags and clear customs whichever terminal (or strictly speaking "concourse") you use.
You arrive, clear immigration, collect bags, clear customs, deposit bags on conveyor again*, go upstairs and jump on a train for a one minute ride to the main hub terminal, and recollect your bags. You would then jump back on the train to whichever concourse Continental use, clear security and check in at the gate.
* note if you are canny and have wheelaboard size hold luggage, just hang on to it and refuse to put it on the conveyor belt, you can take it with you on the train to the terminal (assuming you even have to change concourses). This saves a lot of time.
The nice folks who man the gate at Continental will do all they can to get you on the earlier flight with no extra charge, though I agree it is better to be on the safe side and book the later flight. Be warned the plane is small, and can be weight restricted, so pack light!
I have a feeling BA comes in to the same concourse Continental leave from, so you may not even need to get on the train esp. if you hold onto your bags, which might enhance your chances of getting on the earlier flight, though not 100% sure as generally prefer the MOnday afternoon flight out of MIA on my return for the tranquility of the upper deck 747.