Fort Lauderdale Transfer time

[frank44]

I am sure some board members are familiar with this connection.

My return flight from Marsh Harbor to FLL has been rescheduled by Continental. I am left with 55 minutes to clear US customs and get from US Customs to Southwest Airlines gate. We can carry on our bags. I am trying to decide the probability I can make this connection or if I should just give up and book a later flight. This will be at 4 PM on a Thursday.

thanks a lot

Frank

[Gayleupstairs]

All it takes is a minor delay of departure from MHH (which can be fairly commonplace), any slight glitch or one slow person clearing at customs/immigration and you are dead in the water. I would advise you need a minimum of 2 hours to have peace of mind with the transition from Bahamas to a US domestic flight.

[turtleman]

I'll second the 2 hours. We go through FLL regularly and often connect with SW. We do participate in the Global Entry program with US Immigration, which really speeds up that part of the ordeal. Even with that advantage and with no checked luggage, you'll needs lots of luck to pull off the transfer in 55 minutes.

[Zancada]

I'll third the 2 hours! FLL can be slow.

[frank44]

Thanks for the replies!

I discovered that Southwest does not charge to change flights even on a cheap ticket. I changed to the later flight.

Now if Tomas will cooperate, I will be good to go!!

Frank

[Seasongs]

I agree with all the other posts on the 2hours to RETURN from Abaco, but did want to comment that the OUTBOUND connections on Continental through FLL are much better than anywhere else -- West Palm or (or Miami on American).

Going to Abaco via FLL, is about a 30 second walk from gate-to-gate (literally).

The return via FLL requires a change in terminals and is ugly (Inter-terminal connecting bus).

So (IMHO) the ideal is outbout via FLL, return via WestPalm.