[GuatMommy2Be]

title says it all....

[mommy2gabi]

We had 2.5 hour between flights and had more than enough time. There was another couple that only had an hour and they were running after we go done. I think it also depends how busy they are. When we were in the immigration office there were 3 babies going home a few others. We were in the office about 45min. Good luck!!

[krafmatic]

I'll be heading through immigration in Houston on Wednesday! I have 2 hours, 20 minutes to get through to my connecting flight...not much I know but otherwise I had a 5 hour layover.

Here is to quick moving lines!!

[newparent]

we were in and out in 30 minutes

[havensd]

We've gone through Houston immigration 3 times and everytime it has gone very quickly. I would say that if you have a 2 - 2 1/2 layover between flights, you should be just fine.

[jerryscuba]

We had an hour and a half time to get our connection and barely made it. Even though we were the first of our flight at the immigration counter, we had to go to the special room and wait until everyone with adopted children from our flight were also in this room. Then one officer gave a speech about the immigration status of our children, which was total BS. He stated several times that our children are not automatically citizens (our daughter had an IR-3).
After the speech was finally over they started working on the files and there were quite a few. We were just lucky that we were number 2 on the pile.
Immigration in Chicago with our son was a lot easier (TACA flight).
I would go for the short layover still. You can always take the later flight if you don't make it.

Also keep in mind that the Zacapa from the duty free store in Guatemala has to go into the checked luggage for the domestic flight

Good luck!
Ralf

[guatemama94]

It was very quick in December. We had scheduled a 4 hr. 40 min. layover and got our flight moved up. It was less than 30 mins.

[Wonk]

If your real question is how long of a lay over you should have, I think you should plan for the worst and hope for the best. For us, the flight was late out of Guatemala. Immigration was about 20 minutes. Then there was Customs and then the TSA and airport security in Guatemala. For the TSA and Guatemala security remember you are carrying many white powders and that people use babies for drug mules. We got busted by the TSA for our unopened bottle of water that we needed to make formula with and had to stand there while they chewed us out for water. Guatemala security basically made us undress our kiddo to check her diaper for drugs. The other thing to remember is that international flights are at one end of the terminal and the domestic flights are a long way away. You have to have your bags through the TSA and then recheck them to your domestic flight. So I would say that for folks who made it through in an hour, more power to you, but I would most definitely plan that it is going to take you about two hours to navigate all this stuff at absolute minimum and then be glad if it doesn't. Re-booking can be really hard now because all the flights are full and you may get stuck if you need to change your reservations.

[cbmstephanie]

I wouldn't have less than a one and a half hour layover in Houston. I have gone through relatively quickly...20 to 30 minutes and it has also taken me very close to an hour and a half. I just booked a flight and have 1 hour 57 minutes and am completely comfortable with that amount of time.

[guatparents2be]

we were in and out in 20 minutes. i'd plan on an hour+ though in case there are others in front of you. would hate to miss the plane!

there are lots of places to hang out etc at the airport.

[Pipercub]

I advise having at least 2 hours. Both times we went to Guatemala our flight left late and we arrived in Houston late. If you have a connecting flight, that limits your available time significantly. The first time back, the line through customs was FAST - super, super fast. The second time when we were coming home and our daughter had to get her paperwork processed, we waited to be called up for over an hour. It was VERY VERY slow. It really depends on when you come through and how many other flights are arriving at the same time. They have a HUGE area to process people, but they don't always have all of it staffed. We actually live in Houston so it was no big deal either way for us. But if we would have had a connecting flight, I would not have felt comfortable with anything less than 2 hours; really I'd shoot for 2.5 hours.

[Pipercub]

P.S. We have alot of good stores and restaurants at the Houston airport. If you get a longer layover, you'll have some time to breathe, get to your next gate, change diapers, eat something, etc.

[nannyisme2004]

We flew through H Oct. 26th. The line was short - no waiting. Until we got in the "room" and waited and waited. There were about 5 other adoptive families waiting too. As I recall we were in the room for 1.5 hrs.

[Dawnb93]

We went through on December 18. We were the second couple in the room. It took us about 45 minutes. Good luck and congrats again!!!

dawn

[Leebert2]

My dh had a 1 hour and a half layover last year. He made it, but did not have tons of time to spare. So happy for you!