[marypat31]

I am getting ready for our visit trip (leaving in 4 days!). I am not clear on the immigration process upon returning from Guatemala. I am connecting in Houston on my return flight to the US.

Do we have to collect our bags after passing through immigration? If so, do we have to stand in line again to re-check the bags?

I only have one hour between flights. Yikes!

TIA
Mary Pat

[DD Amasa]

I passed through Miami, but yes, we had to collect our bags at the baggage claim and lug them over (and onto a different floor) to have them rechecked, then lugged them over quite a ways more to put them through the scanner and onto our next flight. Not easy when traveling with an elderly mother and an infant. And of course there was no one around to help (unlike in Guatemala where there are men tripping over each other trying to help you with your luggage).

[mildredjohn]

I have been through Miami and my best recall is that you first go from the plane to Immigration, pick your bags and then recheck them.

But Immigration is first!

[dac_cincy]

In Houston, you will go through immigration, pick up your bags, go through secruity and re check your bags. It was very easy, all on the same floor and in the same terminal. Once you have rechecked your bags, you will go to the terminal for your domestic portion of your flight.
We went through in less than 30 minutes back in May.

[Larue]

In the U.S., whenever you reenter the country from overseas you have to go through immigration and customs at your initital point of entry. After that, your flight will be a "domestic" flight.

When you exit the plane, you will be immediately directed to immigration, and then collect your bags and go through customs, and then put your bags on a conveyor belt. There is no actual "check-in" process. I have never been through Houston in these circumstances...only L.A. and New York. But I have had only an hour and did make it with plenty of time. Your only concern could be if your flight leaving Guatemala is delayed.

Changing your flight now would probably incur some fees. In my opinion, I would go for it. Though realize that you may end up spending the night in Houston. Which in the end may end up being less expensive then changing your return flight!

My advice - don't worry about this. And enjoy EVERY SINGLE MOMENT of your visit trip with your baby girl

[Hopingsoon]

While we weren't in Houston, we did find the baggage process very easy in Miami. Everything was in the same area, and it was nothing like the intial airport check-in. We just picked up our bags off the conveyor, they x-rayed them, and we handed them off to another airline employee.

[Guatemomtobe]

I just came back through Houston with a 1 hour connection and had no problem making it through immigration and customs. Of course on pickup you will need more time as immigration will take more time.

Have a great trip!