US immigration question

lampltr says on Mar 13, 2008, 18:22:

Hi, I flew close to the same route over the holidays from Italy with some stop overs...You will be provided the proper Imm docs to complete. Place on them in transit and your destination.
You have some serious hours in between, I would grab a Holiday Inn Express hotel (Just outside of terminal) for some shut eye & relaxation. Leave your bags secured there at the Arpt. and take taxi. As long as you have in possession your confirmed tickets, you can pop in there exactly the 2 hr mark (After re-claiming luggage). They will most likely ask to see this continued flight tkt so have it ready. Lines not that bad. Do not bull-shit, they may catch this then you will be delayed even more.
Enjoy your travel!

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Papi de Alejo says on Mar 13, 2008, 18:51:

I traveled from Albany, NY to JFK for a flight on COPA (same terminal as Avianca). I arrived there about 11:00pm. My flight was at 5:30, so check in was at 3:30. I did mot want to venture out of the airport after I got there. I walked around alot until I found the all night cafe near the duty-free shops. If you can manage to sleep all the way from London to JFK, passing a few hours with the walking dead will not be that bad. Then you get to sleep a little bit more on the flight to Cali.

PdA

PdA

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guacharaca says on Mar 13, 2008, 19:42:

Sleep on a bench at the airport. Done it many times. Some unrelated airlines still have baggage agreements. It is likely possible to check your bags all the way through to Colombia even though you have more than one airline. But you still have to accompany your bags through US Customs. The trick is to get to the onward flight bag ramp, located just after Customs before the operator goes home at night, otherwise you will have your bags with you until check-in the next morning.

Colombianos: Las armas os han dado independencia, las leyes os daran libertad. (Santander)

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el flaco says on Mar 14, 2008, 04:18:

There is a left luggage facility at the airport open 24/7. Pricey but worth it. Just hang around the airport, I agree a hotel isn't worth it and what if you fall asleep and miss your plane. I've hung around the airport and it is surprising how fast the time passes.

If it is your first time in Miami you could hire a taxi to take you to the South Beach area where the art deco hotels are. The night life seems to go on all night and you could hit a few bars there. lots of taxis to get you back or you could ask a hotel to call one for you. More Spanish than English is spoken there so you can start practising before reaching Colombia. There are seating areas on the pavement where you can watch the world pass by.

I agree with all the above advice, however pick the immigration queue next to the queue for American citizens, you will find it quicker as they use the "American" lines when they are quiet for foreigners. You will need the full three hours to catch your flight to Cali what with security etc. I would check in even earlier.

Have fun

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GregYohn says on Mar 15, 2008, 16:05:

Hola!

If you see this information at JFK. Use NWA free WiFi near Avianca's checkin area!

Hang at Avianca's checkin area. It is not worth over sleeping and missing your flight! I got to NYC Manhatan at 12:45 am and took a subway from downtown to get to Cali via Avianca where I am now.

Contact me via GregYohn at Yahoo.com when here, can hit the town. Will be here until April.

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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el flaco says on Mar 17, 2008, 06:37:

Read the question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So JFK not Miami, sorry.

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