Miami Connection Question
 

Hi folks, I'm another one of those guys with a MIA connection question for you (never been to the airport before). It completely slipped my mind that I was even making an international connection, so I have a 2 hour layover between my incoming AA flight from Mexico (which I believe lands in Terminal D) and my outgoing AA flight to DC (which I believe also lands in Terminal D).

I have Global Entry and precheck, so the domestic leg should have pre-check. Two separate PNRs (int'l leg is an award, domestic is paid). One checked bag, but it should be priority tagged. It's going to be the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend.

How worried should I be?

GE should make customer no huge issue. While you should be ok with PreCheck bag delivery at MIA is very, very slow and Priority Tags are routinely ignored. In fact, you can expect your bag to come out last before coming out first. Both are AA flights so you would be protected and would be put on the next available flight to DCA (or IAD/BWI if those airports would work for you).

That's wonderful news, I appreciate it. Thankfully DC is home, so as long as I can get to the area, I can find my way home from any of the airports.

I would call AA and get your PNR's connected or you will not be protected if you are delayed in ICE. MCE Int'l to Dom is 2 1/2 hours and depending on your arrival time, you may get caught behind many other flights. GE lines have gotten way longer as MIA has failed to adapt more agents to it and less to regular lines. They have not increased the number of agents working any shift due to budget constraints and the need to also cover the Port of Miami out of the same office.

Thanks for the tip, teddybear99. Unfortunately, because one of the legs was a BA award, the rep was unable to link them despite me providing both AA PNRs.

Fortunately though, it was cheaper for me to buy up to First on the later flight than change my flight in economy (and really not that expensive). So, I did.

Don't worry. There is no such thing as "linking" or "connecting." All AA does is put a note in the PNR notes which is there should an agent pull up your record and actually read it.

But, if your inbound is late, your PNRs won't show up for auto-rebooking because "linking" doesn't create a connection rather than a transfer and your rebooking will need to be handled when you initiate the request. So the whole exercise was just an agent trying to calm your nerves, but not attempting anything which will change the outcome.

Well with GE, immigration lines should be relatively quick. I once waited in line for 5 hours at immigration (non-GE). Customs lines may vary but they should move quickly. You should save another 30 minutes with TSAPRE. I think you will make the connection if your incoming flight lands on time.