Miami airport help!

Dear all knowing v-flyers!
MrB and I are flying into MIA on Saturday and then hopping down to Key West with AA. We have a tight turnaround (about 2.5 hours) so to maximise our chances, can anyone help with the following...
We will arrive at Concourse E and then have to find our way to the the North Terminal for AA - I think. Can anyone help with exact directions.
I assume it is a good idea to check in before leaving London, then we should be able to use bag drop? If we check in and then don't make the flight, does that cause problems later?

Sorry for so many dumb questions

Thanks
MrsB

Dear all knowing v-flyers!
MrB and I are flying into MIA on Saturday and then hopping down to Key West with AA. We have a tight turnaround (about 2.5 hours) so to maximise our chances, can anyone help with the following...
We will arrive at Concourse E and then have to find our way to the the North Terminal for AA - I think. Can anyone help with exact directions.
I assume it is a good idea to check in before leaving London, then we should be able to use bag drop? If we check in and then don't make the flight, does that cause problems later?

Sorry for so many dumb questions

Thanks
MrsB

Is this all booked on one PNR (or through-ticket)?

If so, AA are contractually obliged to rebook you if you miss it. If not, if you miss the AA flight you may well have to buy another ticket.

MIA airport has attracted some horror stories on V-Flyer about immigration lines.

[Neil]

As soon as you leave the baggage hall you will enter the connection centre and you will then be able to check in/drop your bags there.

2.5 hours should be enough time providing your flight is on time, you hot foot it to immigration and the queues aren't too bad.

When we did it, I was worried, but we were off, through immigration, checked in and back through security and land side within 45minutes. We were in UC so off quickly and I know there are horror stories but it can be done!

We landed in Miami last July (1st time) and it took around an hour and a half to clear immigration and collect the bags.

After reading the horror stories (which most are pretty bang on), we had decided to spend an overnight in MIA before flying up to MCO in the morning.

In hindsight we probably could have booked the last flight up on a flexible ticket and either got in very late or changed to an earlier flight.

MIA is certainly not the easiest of airports to navigate with a very new part bolted on to a very old part with many different levels to manage.

They are all connected with a "sky train" thingy which makes transport between gates etc very easy safe and clean once you find it.

If you are booked on one ticket, there shouldn't be a problem as any delays will be taken care of. If its separate tickets, I would have a backup plan just in case.

MIA immigration and baggage claim is an experience but its a means to an end.

Have a good trip y)

David

Thanks Neil - that helps a lot We are also in UC so will be off the plane pretty smartish!

Thx
MrsB