Short connection time in CLT - Immigration?
May 5, 2022, 1:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 152
Short connection time in CLT - Immigration?
Hello,
I'm flying LHR to CLT next week and then connecting down to Florida. My flight lands at 1.30PM and my connecting flight is 3PM. Is this enough time? I'm concerned about the queues at immigration, I've never been through CLT before so not sure what to expect. Is there any way to 'skip the queue' if you're running late?
Thanks in advance!
I'm flying LHR to CLT next week and then connecting down to Florida. My flight lands at 1.30PM and my connecting flight is 3PM. Is this enough time? I'm concerned about the queues at immigration, I've never been through CLT before so not sure what to expect. Is there any way to 'skip the queue' if you're running late?
Thanks in advance!
May 5, 2022, 6:45 am
#2
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Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
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Hello,
I'm flying LHR to CLT next week and then connecting down to Florida. My flight lands at 1.30PM and my connecting flight is 3PM. Is this enough time? I'm concerned about the queues at immigration, I've never been through CLT before so not sure what to expect. Is there any way to 'skip the queue' if you're running late?
Thanks in advance!
I'm flying LHR to CLT next week and then connecting down to Florida. My flight lands at 1.30PM and my connecting flight is 3PM. Is this enough time? I'm concerned about the queues at immigration, I've never been through CLT before so not sure what to expect. Is there any way to 'skip the queue' if you're running late?
Thanks in advance!
Sometimes for tight connections an AA agent will be waiting with your connecting boarding passes in an orange "Express Connect" envelope, at some airports these can get you to the front of security.
May 5, 2022, 1:06 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Posts: 414
Plenty of time in almost all cases. I see that you are based in the UK. Assuming that you are not a US citizen, you will need to see an immigration officer. If you have been to the US in the past few years it will be quite quick - if they don't have your fingerprints on file it might take a few minutes longer.
Unfortunately CLT does not have kiosks (other than for Global Entry) and does not yet support the US Customs and Border Patrol app so you will have to actually have to stand in the queue.
Unfortunately CLT does not have kiosks (other than for Global Entry) and does not yet support the US Customs and Border Patrol app so you will have to actually have to stand in the queue.
May 5, 2022, 1:15 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 152
Yes that is plenty of time. The minimum connecting time for this type of connection is 1 hour so you're a full 30 mins above that.
Sometimes for tight connections an AA agent will be waiting with your connecting boarding passes in an orange "Express Connect" envelope, at some airports these can get you to the front of security.
Sometimes for tight connections an AA agent will be waiting with your connecting boarding passes in an orange "Express Connect" envelope, at some airports these can get you to the front of security.
Plenty of time in almost all cases. I see that you are based in the UK. Assuming that you are not a US citizen, you will need to see an immigration officer. If you have been to the US in the past few years it will be quite quick - if they don't have your fingerprints on file it might take a few minutes longer.
Unfortunately CLT does not have kiosks (other than for Global Entry) and does not yet support the US Customs and Border Patrol app so you will have to actually have to stand in the queue.
Unfortunately CLT does not have kiosks (other than for Global Entry) and does not yet support the US Customs and Border Patrol app so you will have to actually have to stand in the queue.
May 5, 2022, 1:17 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BMI
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Posts: 657
Good advice above. In addition, almost all of the major destinations in Florida have two or more evening flights from CLT, so if you do happen to miss the 3:00 there is probably another flight a few hours later.
For example, TPA has flights that leave at 3:00, 4:45, 6:00, and 8:15.
For example, TPA has flights that leave at 3:00, 4:45, 6:00, and 8:15.
May 5, 2022, 1:29 pm
#6
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I have had very mixed experiences - sometimes only a couple of minutes and another being sent to Secondary. As other say, there are other flights later that day if you miss that one.
May 5, 2022, 2:22 pm
#7
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May 5, 2022, 4:27 pm
#8
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Meaning after you wait in line and speak to the immigration and/or customs officer they ask you to step aside to a separate area where they will typically ask you a few more questions and x-ray any bags you have. Typically only done if they "suspect" something although in rare cases they can be random.