Miami MIA airport immigration lines alert (2-3 hours - March 2013)
Mar 14, 2013, 7:53 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
Miami MIA airport immigration lines alert (2-3 hours - March 2013)
Please be advised that there are delays with the immigration/customs process in Miami (MIA) due to a lack of inspectors. It is taking approximately 2 to 3 hours for customers to be processed, which could have an impact on anyone who is connecting in MIA. As a result, we are unable to escort or expedite Five Star or Concierge Key customers through the process in MIA until the delay is resolved.
Please advise your customers who will be going through customs while traveling to or through MIA.
Please advise your customers who will be going through customs while traveling to or through MIA.
Last edited by JDiver; Mar 16, 2013 at 9:38 am
Mar 14, 2013, 8:01 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SFO/OAK/SJC
Programs: AA LT PLT, 2.15 million miles; Priority Club PLT
Posts: 987
Went through a few weeks ago on a very early Saturday morning. I was ashamed to see that out of the 40+ windows, there were only 2 inspectors working for US citizens. Who knows how many the non-citizens had. Three or four jumbos had recently landed so it took a LONG time. Seems like a big waste of money to have built a high-capacity Immigration processing area then underutilize it by +80%. It is such an embarrassing "welcome" to the USofA.
Also, the walking distance from D11 to the processing line was SUPER LONG, even with the train. Many of the moving sidewalks were broken or switched off. I would never let my elderly mother connect in MIA for instance. Very unimpressed with the new MIA from this perspective.
Also, the walking distance from D11 to the processing line was SUPER LONG, even with the train. Many of the moving sidewalks were broken or switched off. I would never let my elderly mother connect in MIA for instance. Very unimpressed with the new MIA from this perspective.
Mar 14, 2013, 9:42 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP >3 Million miles,HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 2,887
Great. Thanks for the quick response. One less stress for connections next month. Agreed good value. Is it completely automated or do you a get a ticket/receipt and have to turn it into an officer?
On another front how is the baggage claim and transfer to domestic flights process?
On another front how is the baggage claim and transfer to domestic flights process?
Mar 14, 2013, 9:46 pm
#7
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,635
MIA immigration lines alert (2-3 hours)
The receipt to given to the customs officer after baggage claim. Not sure about MIA, but JFK even had a Global Entry priority lane for customs.
Mar 14, 2013, 9:47 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: stl
Programs: AA LT Plat/8.1mm now with 1350 miles left in my account and proud of it.. SPG LT Titanium.
Posts: 3,079
Just as a comparison, Ord on Sunday night took my coworker less than 15 minutes after PVg-Ord and the place was crowded. My coworker doesn't have global entry but I do and this was the first time in many that I had to stand in a line to show my receipt and passport at a booth next to the machine and when I exited was questioned about my trip and purchases like everyone else.
Mar 14, 2013, 10:03 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,590
Last time I passed through MIA there was a LONG line but I could see empty GE machines so I stepped aside and walked further up until I got to the signage that said where to go.
Mar 14, 2013, 11:08 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Exec Plat, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 316
Transited Miami twice this past week and the lines were extremely short.
They had a sign that said sequestration will lead to long delays but we were in line for 4-5 minutes
They had a sign that said sequestration will lead to long delays but we were in line for 4-5 minutes
Mar 14, 2013, 11:57 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MEL
Posts: 2,441
Mar 15, 2013, 12:32 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 111
That is what this is all really about, a stinking PR move, like ending the WH tours. Sequestration did not cut any money that was already being spent, just reduced the amounts of increase. It is not an excuse for having less service than what has been existing. It would only be an excuse for not expanding service.
Mar 15, 2013, 1:27 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Programs: AA EXP 1 Million Miles, Hilton Diamond, AMEX Platinum, AA Citi Exec, Hilton Aspire, Bilt
Posts: 179
MIA immigration lines alert (2-3 hours)
I landed in MIA at about 18:00 on Saturday March 2nd on a flight ex-EZE and the immigration and customs lines were the longest I have ever seen. Fortunately I have GE and was through immigration and customs and out on the street in about two minutes. I can confirm that there is a GE lane at CUSTOMS (it's the same one diplomats use)
Mar 15, 2013, 3:06 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,628
Wow... I was about to book 5* for a 1h40 Intl-Intl connection at MIA. I'm wondering if AA would change my flight based on this.
Edited to add: Was able to book 5* for the connection despite the warning.
Edited to add: Was able to book 5* for the connection despite the warning.
Last edited by SDQBound; Mar 15, 2013 at 2:28 pm Reason: Adding info