Originally Posted by krug

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.