Early Flight from Miami

[thatjoeguy]

Hey all. We're returning from the Escape on January 9th to Miami. Is it even remotely possible to make an 8 am flight out of MIA? I'm guessing not. If no, should we go for the 9:45 or 11:45 out of FLL? If it helps, we have Global Entry and TSA Precheck, so security should be easy for us both through customs and at the airport. Thanks!

[sixesandeights]

Hey all. We're returning from the Escape on January 9th to Miami. Is it even remotely possible to make an 8 am flight out of MIA? I'm guessing not. If no, should we go for the 9:45 or 11:45 out of FLL? If it helps, we have Global Entry and TSA Precheck, so security should be easy for us both through customs and at the airport. Thanks!

 

Not a snowballs chance you make an 8am flight. 9:45 is even a huge risk. 11:45 should be fine.

 

6&8

[watchdiva]

11:45 should work.

[Kamloops50]

Don't plan any flights before 11AM.

[jpcello]

You're at Port of Miami and planning an 11:45 from Fort Lauderdale. It's at least a 45 minute drive from Miami to Fort Lauderdale. Then factor in security at Fort Lauderdale airport. Personally I think that would also be pushing it. But if you're a risk taker, I say go for it.

[Oldgoat61]

There will be 4 other ships at the POM on the 9th (18400 peeps), and probably an equal number at the port in FLL. Try to do carry on luggage, and get off the ship asap, otherwise I think even the 11:45 will be cutting it close. ;)

[Budget Queen]

Hey all. We're returning from the Escape on January 9th to Miami. Is it even remotely possible to make an 8 am flight out of MIA? I'm guessing not. If no, should we go for the 9:45 or 11:45 out of FLL? If it helps, we have Global Entry and TSA Precheck, so security should be easy for us both through customs and at the airport. Thanks!

 

What is your posted arrival time? Surely you would know there is at least an hour window, needed at airports, then transportation line waits, transit times, plus 1000++ other people wanting to get off the ship, just like you. :)

 

.Add another hour, if you are leaving out of FLL. With your planning you need to be conservative with your flight time planning.

 

Are you willing to up early and in line, ready to go? Have no mobility limitation? Able to self disembark? All additional factors with timing.

[Homosassa]

We just came in to Miami airport from abroad last night. Security has been stepped up.

 

The lines for the Global Entry and Automatic Passport control machines were all about a half hour long. Then you were directed to see the immigration officer who checked the photo on the Global Entry Form or Automatic Passport Control machine (you were photographed as the last step of the machines) vs the passport photo vs a scrutiny of one's face. Each officer also had a brief chat with each passenger.

 

In our case, we asked where we had been, for how long, the purpose of the trip, and some other questions.

 

After that, we had to claim our luggage and proceed to customs. Once again, there was brief chat with the custom's official.

 

Going through the whole immigration and customs procedure was about 1 and 1/2 hours.

 

As we were then taking a short flight over to Tampa, we had to recheck our bags and go through security.

 

We have TSA precheck (seems to be tied in with our security clearance we had from our jobs as we have never applied for program). We breezed through the TSA check, but we did notice the regular screening lines were backed up (this was at 5 PM) and there was a lot of hand examination of luggage and pat downs going on. Security also was obviously stepped up.

[zqvol]

Hey all. We're returning from the Escape on January 9th to Miami. Is it even remotely possible to make an 8 am flight out of MIA? I'm guessing not. If no, should we go for the 9:45 or 11:45 out of FLL? If it helps, we have Global Entry and TSA Precheck, so security should be easy for us both through customs and at the airport. Thanks!

 

Global Entry will not help at all it is not used yet a most cruise ports. Pre Check might save you a few minutes, but you are not going to make an 8:00 flight nor are you likely to make either a 9:45 or 11:45 flight out of FLL if you dock in MIA.

[BirdTravels]

Hey all. We're returning from the Escape on January 9th to Miami. Is it even remotely possible to make an 8 am flight out of MIA? I'm guessing not. If no, should we go for the 9:45 or 11:45 out of FLL? If it helps, we have Global Entry and TSA Precheck, so security should be easy for us both through customs and at the airport. Thanks!

 

We actually made a 9:20 MIA flight last week after getting off the Escape. But,,, you have to be willing to walk off with all of your luggage and queue early (6:45ish). The ship's scheduled arrival time was 8:00. It actually docked around 6:30 and began walk off around 7:30. Global Entry will do you no good at the cruise terminal. You need to queue for customs and border patrol.

Edited November 20, 2015 by BirdTravels

[zqvol]

We just came in to Miami airport from abroad last night. Security has been stepped up.

 

The lines for the Global Entry and Automatic Passport control machines were all about a half hour long. Then you were directed to see the immigration officer who checked the photo on the Global Entry Form or Automatic Passport Control machine (you were photographed as the last step of the machines) vs the passport photo vs a scrutiny of one's face. Each officer also had a brief chat with each passenger.

 

In our case, we asked where we had been, for how long, the purpose of the trip, and some other questions.

 

After that, we had to claim our luggage and proceed to customs. Once again, there was brief chat with the custom's official.

 

Going through the whole immigration and customs procedure was about 1 and 1/2 hours.

 

As we were then taking a short flight over to Tampa, we had to recheck our bags and go through security.

 

We have TSA precheck (seems to be tied in with our security clearance we had from our jobs as we have never applied for program). We breezed through the TSA check, but we did notice the regular screening lines were backed up (this was at 5 PM) and there was a lot of hand examination of luggage and pat downs going on. Security also was obviously stepped up.

 

This is typical for connecting flights coming into the US, but the OP is disembarking their ship in MIA so none of this really matters.

[casofilia]

8am the following day; yes!!

 

Go for the 11.45 and hope that all works in your favour; debarking, customs & immigration; taxi availability; road closures and accidents; boarding procedures.

 

Good luck.

 

Mike

[BirdTravels]

One other observation. We disembarked in Miami after the Paris attack. And, although it was still fast, the customs and border patrol officers were taking "more than normal" time with each passenger. That would significantly increase if the threat level were raised.