Time to get between D/E and J Concourses at MIA
 

I have scheduled my appointment with GOES (Global Entry) during a lay-over at MIA. I tried to schedule at home DFW , but they are booked until mid/late June - I re-booked twice now because work trips keep coming up keeping me from my appts. - and for some reason DFW books at least a month out...so I see a never-ending cycle here.

Anyhow - I arrive DFW-MIA (concourse D or E) at 8:05 PM; appointment at 8:20 PM - 8:40 PM (Outside security - by Avianca check in counter); flight to Sao Paulo at 9:35 PM (Concourse E). I assume the 20 minute appointment is just to show my id and verify that I am who I say I am.

What are the odds I can make to J Terminal (assuming AA lands on time!) in 15 minutes? (I'm sitting very near the front of the plan). What are the odds I can make it back through security and to E concourse to catch my 9:35 PM flight? [At least my bags should already be checked through].

Also - is there a train? Or do I have to go outside to catch a ride?

Our Florida forum readers should be able to help and I'll move the thread there. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

Ok, if you walk quick you can make it to GOES within 15 minutes even if you end up at D21/23/25 or on the other end at D44 to D51. Assuming your appointment is no more than 20 minutes, you should make your Avianca flight. However, you will need to reclear Security again and therefore you will need to have a BP ahead of time and will probably arrive at the gate before boarding time (assuming boarding starts at around 9PM). Of course, if your flight to MIA is late or your appointment is late and/or takes more than 20 minutes (not ending until after 9PM) then you would be SOL.

If your incoming flight is on time and you already have your GRu BP no problem at all. At worst you may need to plead shortness of time when passing through security again, but probably not even that. Since your going to GRU at 9:35 PM from E that'll be AA. You'll have plenty of time if you don't dawdle.

Avianca is in the new Terminal J, you're leaving from the old terminal E. Because of construction teh exact entry could change. Just ask your TSA contact, they'll advise you the best route to take.

My recommendation is to go outside the terminal J after your interview, staying at departure level, turn left and walk quickly, you'll arrive at E in about 3-4 minutes maximum. You can do the same thing inside with air conditioning, but it will be fairly crowded. Nobody will be outside, so you'll save time, if you're short of it. You'll know you're there when you see AA curbside bag check desks.

Security delays then for the AA gates are from 1-7 minutes according to the TSA. I frequently leave on those flights and rarely take more than 5 minutes in security.

So, don't worry. Ignore the horror stories about MIA. As long as you walk quickly you'll make it.

Thanks so much! One more question - when I arrive, it will be either D or E, do I go straight towards baggage claim, outside and walk to J? Or go to the ticket counter level (assuming ticket counters and baggage are on different levels), outside and walk to J? Is the walk from D/E to J that same 3-4 minutes? I would presume so :)

Thanks again for your advice. I'll have my GRU BP and have no problem moving quickly - so I hope to make it work out.

If I am reading you right, you arrive from DFW on AA and then go onto GRU on Avianca with a short meeting at GOES between. Not sure if AA can check your bag through to Avianca (others may know), hopefully AA can. If not, you will need to go downstairs to claim your bag. My suggestion is to first go to your GOES meeting, then quickly get your bag, and return to Concourse J. With a checked bag now, you will need to haul butt. Baggage claim at AA can be slow so while maybe your bag would be up the time you walk from the gate to baggage claim, if not, you will lose precious minutes.

Actually I fly thru MIA on AA - DFW-MIA-GRU. So I have to get from D/E to J (GOES office is by the Avianca counter), appt at 8:20 and depart 9:35 flight on AA Concourse D to GRU. Bags will be checked thru on AA, but I will have to exit security to get to my GOES appt. Just concerned about the walk between D/E and J, then back from J to D, plus going thru security.

Thanks everyone! I'm going to try to make it and if I'm not done at the TSA/GOES office by 9:00, then I'll head to D for my GRU flight.