Will I make it?

Hi,

We are arriving on the VS 5 into Miami and the hopefully catching the AA 3481 to Key West.
Here is the problem, since the flights were booked a couple of months ago VS 5 has changed to a later arrival time and the AA departure has moved to an earlier departure time.
This now gives us 2.5 hours between landing and departure.
So the question to all you regular Miami users is will we still make it? I am well aware of all the stories of the "horrors" of immigration.
To throw into the mix we arrive we arrive on Friday 23rd November Black Friday, would that have any effect?
Thanks..

You will, or you won't, it's that simple. If you want odds I'd say 50:50.

The AA domestic check in is just outside immigration but again depending on the problems on the day their queues can be long and from my experience the check in staff have all had a charisma bypass and won't let you jump the queue to avoid missing a flight. The Key West flights can be delayed but if you are unlucky it could be tight.

Thanks for the replies so far.
ScubaRoo, yes in EC row 64 and returning 7thDec.

I'd probably say you have a less than 50% chance of making it, as being at the very back of the bus will put you right at the back of the 300 others off VS5, plus any other flights at that time.

I'd highly recommend sitting much, much further forward if at all possible.

It is very tight.
Last time I went through mia, immigration alone was 3 hours.
Then finding the luggage was a joke, the carousels are small and the staff take the bags of and stack them on the ground. You would think they would be near the carousel. But there is so little space, the bags might be anywhere they could find space.
I will never use mia again no matter the cost.

IMO 2 and a half hours from the rear -little chance. Miami never moves at a pace above 'manana minus' (imagine dead slow then slower). I would not bank on making the connex. sorry

We are going to attempt a similar connection next Feb but we are on the AA4791 to Key West so have 3 hours to connect. Plus flying in PE. Fingers crossed that immigration will be good that day.

Good luck Martin, please post how you get on.

Thx
MrsB

Did I make it ? No
Arrived early Friday morning to check in to find there was a 2.5 hr delay,would now be arriving in Miami after the connecting AA flight had left.
As I had booked the AA flight through Expedia, Virgin could not offer any assistance as I had expected.
I did go and have a chat with the AA ticket desk in terminal 3 who booked us on the 8am Saturday flight. She did inform us that there would be a $300 charge which we would have to pay in Miami.
Booked a night at the Miami Airport hotel which is located in the main terminal and in a very handy location for £110.
Woke early and went to check in at 6am to find the airport extremely busy,good job we went down early as it took an age to check in and get through security. Big bonus here is the AA staff waived the $300 fee.
Lovely flight down on a Emb 140 jet, only 10 passengers on board and took only 30 minutes. What a difference Key West airport is, very few people around,friendly attitude
by staff and luggage with us in less than 5 minutes.
Sitting round the pool now at the Doubletree Hilton, clear blue sky 70c, the stresses of yesterday forgotten!
Forgot to mention lots of empty seats on the VS5' sat in the bubble with no one in the 3 seats in front,also had a great night time view of Miami during the landing.
Staying in Key West until Tuesday then its a week in Orlando .

well I guess you knew form the offset you werent going to make it and at least ypou got a good nights rest. Nice of AA to waive the fee . enjoy the keys