Entering Aruba -- checked luggage?
 

First time trip to Aruba. DH and I fly from Atlanta to Aruba soon. He wants to check our luggage in Atlanta. Will waiting for our luggage significantly delay our going through customs? When I have flown to Cancun and Jamaica, I have never checked luggage - always did carry on to avoid waiting for the luggage, but maybe it's better in Aruba? Any advice appreciated.

As is the case with most airports it usually takes 15 minutes or 20 minutes for checked luggage to be offloaded and delivered to the baggage claim area. Once you get your luggage getting through customs is a relatively quick process.

FYI - How long it will take you to clear Immigration is another matter. It depends on where you are in the queue and how many other flights arrive around the same time as you. Since you'll have to clear Immigration BEFORE going through Customs your luggage could well be at the baggage claim area before you get there.

RoamsAround - thank you.

That's how it happens for me arriving Mexico... line up and passport check at the immigration desk usually takes long enough, by the time we get to baggage claim suitcases are already unloading or unloaded.

We always travel with carry ons as well. I believe you go through customs first in Aruba then get your baggage. You should be fine. No problems.

How can you go thru Customs without your luggage?

That doesn't make sense because Customs is about checking your belongings, what you are bringing into the country.

I remember distinctly this is how it is---the luggage may go through an x-ray machine without the persons presence. When we got off the plane we went through the customs where they stamped our passport then went to retrieve our luggage the one time we had it with us. It is in a different area altogether. Then we went through another machine to get out of the airport.

Getting out of Aruba is another story--altogether a totally different system one goes through Aruba and the U.S altogether. When you land back in the U.S you are completely done.

It's been a while since I've been to Aruba but are you sure you are not confusing Immigration with Customs. Usually Immigration (aka Passport Control) is where they stamp your passport. Customs is where your luggage gets checked. In some countries it's done by machine, either before, after (or both) you claim the luggage. As you described it, your first stop was Immigration/Passport Control and the "second" machine would be the final Customs check.

>>I remember distinctly this is how it is---the luggage may go through an x-ray machine without the persons presence. When we got off the plane we went through the customs where they stamped our passport then went to retrieve our luggage the one time we had it with us. It is in a different area altogether. Then we went through another machine to get out of the airport. <<

As RoamsAround suggests - you are confusing Immigration with Customs. Totally different animals.

Your passport will be checked first - to see if they will allow you into the country. Once that is out of the way, THEN you collect your bags and go through Customs. Often it is just a cursory wave through, sometimes they actually go through your things. You won't go through Customs until you are officially IN the country.

RoamsAround

yes I believe that is exactly what it is, and I do have the 2 confused. The one time we had luggage we picked it up and then went through some sort of x-ray type thing but it was fast easy, and no one really speaking to us at all. I think even with carryon we do this--I will be in Aruba January 30th. I certainly will pay close attention. You are spot on as always. Happy New Year and holidays everyone.