[GuateRose]

I posted this on Guatadopt as well. But I want all the advice I can get!

So, I am looking at tickets! I can hardly believe that our son is finally able to fly with us! But..... How long a layover do we need? The best prices I found were Continental through Houston, and American Airlines through Miami.
But the layovers were 1 1/2 hours and 2 hours respectively. Is that long enough??? Does it make a difference which airport you fly into?

THe last thing I want to do is miss a flight and have our time with family and friends shortened a whole day! We haven't seen most of our families for nearly a year, and we are so excited to see everyone again. (We are just going back for a visit. Returning to Guatemala to finish DS2 adoption)

Thanks,
GuateRose

[Ms.Judi]

I am not sure but have a great trip!!

[myrachel]

we flew into Houston with a 3 hour lay over & it was MORE than enough time... immigration took about 20 minutes..

have a great trip

[cborsa7]

I took continental in May through Houston. 2 hr layover and missed my connection flight. My suggestion, give yourself more time. Make sure there are other flights to home beside the flight you are on in case you miss it. I got stuck in Houston overnight. Flight from Guatemala was 15 minutes late and Houston immigration line was long. It can be done in 2 hours no problem, But, better to be safe than sorry. Miami Immigration is MUCH busier. Have a safe trip!

[sak9645]

If at all possible, allow 3-4 hours. Problems happen at major airports, especially airports with a lot of foreign born travelers.

Customs and Immigration lines can get mighty long, and authorities may not be sensitive to the issue of a possible missed flight and a parent traveling with a baby.

Baggage may not show up right away on the carousels, and you may have to wait for it or even fill out a lost bag form.

You may be selected for a more thorough screening, whether randomly or because someone isn't comfortable with adoption issues.

Your flight from Guatemala may have been delayed in arrival, and you may have much less time than you expected to get through the process and over to where your next flight is.

I know that you want to get home as fast as possible, but sometimes it is better to err on the side of allowing yourself more time between flights. If you have extra time, you can always stop for lunch or a snack, look in shops, sit in a corner with a book and let your child sleep, freshen up in the bathroom so that you don't look like a zombie on arrival at your final destination, etc.

Sharon

[dance_muffin]

I agree with cborsa7; give yourself more time. We also missed out connecting flight in Houston. Immigration was extremely sloooow!

Have a wonderful pick up trip!

[bettylimkis]

We came through Houston on November 26th with a 4 hour layover (just in case) and it only took us 20 minutes to get through immigration. What a long wait that was with a toddler!

[Disneycrazed]

We went through Charlotte two years ago and it was very quick (and sooooo friendly)
we had 2 1/2 hours and had time to spare.
When we landed by the way they were telling the children and babies "welcome to America" and clapping,as we came off the plane.We had 11 adopting families on the flight with us.
Wonderful experience!!!
Congratulations and have a great trip home!!!

[lionbird]

So your flight is from Guate to Miami? If so, I think the time is fine. The only time its tough is Miami to Guate. The gates from the domestic carriers to the Gaute (on american) are FAR FAR away...like, we had to RUN the whole way. We wore sneakers after the first time..its tough, but we always made it.

[chazzeldy2]

We flew Continental thru Houston on pick-up about a year ago. It went very well. If I recall, I thought my research on this topic suggested min. 2-hours betw flights. That being said, our flight out of Guat was quite early on a Tuesday (maybe 7 or 8am), which got us into Houston well before lunch. The international section of the airport was deserted when we arrived. C&I was extremely quick and easy, virtually no waiting. I got the impression that hitting Houston later meant C&I was much busier. Probably true of most airports. Good luck and congratulations!!