www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Is a 2 hr 23 minute layover in FLL long enough to deboard, go through immigration/customs,get luggage and checkin for my next flight? Not familiar w/FLL airport..

Thanks for any info

You should be fine with that. FLL is quick.

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Go Dolphins!!!

I had a bad experience passing through FLL about 4 years ago on a USAIRWAYS flight from SJO. Upon arrival, the single-file line, to clear immigration and customs, snaked all the way back to gate. (There was only one other international arrival.) The handful of CBP agents took their sweet time as well. 1 hour and 10 minutes later, I made it through the "gauntlet" with only minutes to spare for my connection. That was my first and last experience with FLL. I am still gun shy of that airport, and avoid it at all costs. FLL is one of the main reasons why I am still hesistant to book on Spirit Airlines.

If FLL is now considered "quick," I imagine some major improvements have been made to that airport.

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Blue Devil

Pura Vida...enjoying life to the fullest...

Just went through there Sunday and it was about 20-25 minutes with 2 flights including mine being checked through. It looks like they have expanded the old room and added more agents.

Still not as fast as MIA, but NOT as far of a walk either!

I would say with 2+ hours you should have NO problems at all.

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In honor of Jimmy V week, "Don't give up, don't ever give up!"

I have been through immigration/customs at FLL four times in the past year with an average time of about 20-30 minutes. If you are worried about it try to get a seat in the front of the plane. Believe it or not if you get a seat in the front it will speed-up the process.

Been thru many time myself . 2 hours is plenty of time

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Take a walk on the wild side.

FLL vs MIA, take FLL. MIA is quicker on certain things, being the gateway to southern usa, but fll is small enough (less customers), it is always quicker through FLL. From check in, customs, getting to your car, everything, FLL is quicker and easier.

Has FLL improved their layout for getting to the Global Entry kiosk? It's been a while since I've been there but last time they were at the end of the first row that is between the wall and the desk with the customs forms. If it was crowded you had to wait in line for awhile until you reached the kiosk area. Unless a flight crew of diplomat came barging through and then just follow them.

There are 2 Global Entry kiosks at FLL now. One was out of order last Sunday. They are located directly in front of the agent booths where the maze lines exit. There is also a seperate line for Airline crews now, so I would jump in that line to get to the front if it is crowded.

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In honor of Jimmy V week, "Don't give up, don't ever give up!"

I've gone Spirit Air ACY>>SJO 4 times in 3 years. There's about an hour in FLL and I've never (knock wood) had a problem.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

To refresh and add to Brother Srilm's mention of the CBP Global Entry program (available at FLL), see this: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 94010.html

Includes a list of participating airports.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

I caught the Spirit red-eye flight and missed my connection with 1 & 20 minutes. 3 Spirit flights had arrived so luggage took much time to reach us. It is a poor layout. The departures for Spirit are in the same terminal, but you have to go through rescreening. The customs takes longer than other airports because they ask the same questions that immigration asks, makes people wait in lines like the movies, and if you don't look ahead, you might pick the line in which only one of the two agents are active. Watch for that.

Overall, I go through faster at other airports because immigration asks the questions, customs waives on. FLL doesn't.

Some times Immigration check time trouble immigration person. So many question ask and some doubt then reject your visa. After arrival airport Customs officer also check some passenger luggage. Some time plane is late 1 hours or 2 hours. At that time passenger is lots of troubling.

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Rumah chalet di Verbier

btw...there are two immigration booths that have stations for two customs agent in each booth. Then there are two roped lines for each booth. If you choose the line in which there is only 1 instead of 2 agents, cross over to the other line. Otherwise it will take you twice as long.

When you exit the plane, you walk along a glassed corridor in which you can see the gates of Spirit Air connecting flights. The other terminals are separate from this terminal, except for Spirit. Don't count on the employee to tell you this valuable information. Instead she will tell you that her airline screwed up by not providing enough layover time. Far be it from her to go to passengers, ask if they know where to go, and help expedite their voyage. It is certainly amazing in the time of high unemployment to see such poor customer service.