We've done this for several trips now and we've got it down to a fine art - invariably out of the airport within 30 minutes of landing (including the trip from which we returrned yesterday). It helps to have done it several times and to have a good working knowledge of the airport.
As usual, as we entered the immigration hall, we looked for a vacant position. This time it happened to be the one on the far left-hand side. Although we were amongst the first off the plane (having flown Virgin PE) there were queues forming at several of the central positions (I guess there are other international flights disembarking at the same time). As you enter the hall it splits two ways - most folks will follow those in front of them, so go the opposite way to the crowd. My theory is that people see a queue and assume they have to join it (we've done it ourselves on earlier trips). Look for the empty positions, or those with smaller queues. If there is no-one waiting at a position, you can still use it (provided it is manned), but make sure you wait behind the line until called.
Because we were straight through immigration (as we have been for the last 4 trips at least - this strategy really does work) we had to wait a little while for the baggage carousel to start rolling, but even so we were away within 10 minutes of the plane landing.
You then have to clear security and customs (we always seem to get lucky and get sent straight through). The next stage is to 'give up' your baggage to a conveyor which takes it to the main building.
You then have to head for the monorail which takes <i>you</i> to the main building. Move along the 'platform' as far as possible - that way you will be in the front carriage and the first to exit at the other end and thus not get caught up in the crowd. I feel I need to say at this point that I'm not as obsessive about all this as I sound! I'm very polite and don't push in! I just take advantage of any opportunity I see.
I then head for level B (second baggage claim), whilst dh heads to level A and the Dollar Car Hire Desk. This way he has never had to queue. I usually have a short wait at the baggage carousel as my 'blitz it' plan means I always beat the luggage over to the main terminal. I am always the first to arrive at the carousel! It moves clockwise, so position yourself at the left-hand entrance and as soon as your cases appear, you are in pole postion to retrieve them. We have cases with pull-out handles and wheels, so I don't have to worry about a trolley. OK, I admit it, I am obsessive!
Once I have retrieved the luggage, I get into the elevators immediately behind me and descend to level A where dh is usually at the Dollar desk finishing up. Although we always buy the package which allows me to drive too, I don't bother attending the desk. I'd only every drive if dh wasn't able to for some reason and we figure that we'd be able to sort out the formalities if the need arose.
If you have never done it before, do take time to familiarise yourselves with the car controls and the directions to your accommodation. It is as familiar to us now as our own back yard, but we took a few wrong turns in the earlier years.
