Flying AA back from Curaçao to Miami?

Old Feb 28th, 2013, 10:04 PM
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Flying AA back from Curaçao to Miami?

We will be flying from Pa to Miami for a connecting flight, then onto Curaçao. My understanding is flying down isn't too bad but on the return flight Miami can be a pain. Can anyone help us out on the return flight to make things easier? When we arrive in Miami do we get our luggage first and then go onto passport control? After this do we go to customs? Where does the tram come into play? We have never done anything but direct flights to our destination so we are a bit nervous with the connecting flight in Miami. Any help is appreciated,
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 04:05 AM
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Upon arriving in Miami you'll go through Passport Control first, then proceed downstairs to claim any checked luggage and clear customs. Once you leave the Customs Area you can recheck your luggage right outside the Customs exit. If you already have your boarding pass for your connecting flight you then proceed to the TSA checkpoint nearest the entrance to the Terminal (aka Concourse) where your connecting flight will depart. Look at the TV monitors to confirm the Terminal and gate for your connecting flight. If you don't have your Boarding Pass for the connecting flight you'll have to stop at the airline's ticket counter to get one.

Without knowing your airline(s) it's difficult to give you specific info about the "tram" but it will probably only come into play if your connecting flight is on American Airlines (Terminals D & E). There's a tram inside Terminal D (after you clear the TSA checkpoint) which you can use to travel between gates in that terminal. There's a separate Tram which services some but no all of the gates in Terminal E. I don't know if there are trams connecting the gates in any other Terminals but if there are they will only serve the gates in that particular terminal. Look for the signs if you think you'll need to use one of the trams otherwise simply walk to your connecting gate.

Once you pass the TSA checkpoint and you find it necessary, you can walk betweenTerminals without leaving the secure area by using a series of corridors that link the terminals. There is also a "SkyRide" connector which is a series of "moving walkways" that you can take to travel between terminals. It is on the on the third level of the terminal buildings. To use either of these simply follow the appropriate overhead signs.
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 07:47 PM
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Ok we are traveling AA so going down my understanding is the luggage will get switched to the connecting flight, but coming back we have to pick up the luggage and drop it off again, is this correct? Also coming back someone told us that it is almost a mile walk to get to the passport control area after exiting the plane, do you know if this is true?
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Old Mar 1st, 2013, 08:04 PM
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Yes, you pick up your luggage from the baggage carousel and then drop it off to be re-checked. Make sure if you bought anything at the airport duty free that is liquid to put in into your luggage or it will be thrown in the trash when you go through secrity again.

It does feel like a mile, but it's not.
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Old Mar 2nd, 2013, 06:42 AM
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Well, how far you have to walk from your arrival gate to Passport Control depends on your arrival gate. It could be a short walk or a long one but no one can give you any real specifics. If you happen to land at one of the "far gates" (most likely you'll land in Terminal D) the walk could take 5 to 7 minutes - there are "moving walkways" every so often to make it a bit easier. When you deplane, just follow the crowds to Passport Control.

Yes, after you clear immigration, you go downstairs, claim your luggage, clear customs and recheck it right outside the Customs exit. It's all quite easy and there are several airline attendants standing by as you exit customs to assist you with rechecking your luggage.
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Old Mar 2nd, 2013, 06:39 PM
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Ok, I think I got it now. Thank you so much for all your help!
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