How is Miami these days?

[nemmie]

Hi all,
We like Miami and fancy a little weekend down there before driving up to Orlando next trip. We've always flown home from Miami in the past and never into the airport as I've heard from numerous people and fellow posters both here and on other forums that Miami baggage and the such is a nightmare and usually has long queues for immigration etc etc. Anyone flown in recently? I thought I had read a thread where the poster mentioned it was much improved but I can't find it anywhere.
I know the car hire situation at MIA but that won't be an issue. We'll just grab a cab or book a town car when we land and pick the car up in SoBe a few days later.

 

[igk]

Immigration can be a hassle - it seems to vary each time we fly into MIA - last Oct they were doing immigration near the arrival gate but that didn't seem to speed things up, the queue seemed to be just from ouir flight but there weren't many desks. It wouldn't really put me off though.
We haven't had any baggage problems - by the time we get through immigration we haven't had to wait long!

 

[nemmie]

Immigration can be a hassle - it seems to vary each time we fly into MIA - last Oct they were doing immigration near the arrival gate but that didn't seem to speed things up, the queue seemed to be just from ouir flight but there weren't many desks. It wouldn't really put me off though.
We haven't had any baggage problems - by the time we get through immigration we haven't had to wait long!

Do they keep moving it because of the refurbishments going on there?
Having never flown in there I have no idea what the halls are like but we usually expect a 30 min queue anyway where-ever we fly into. Orlando can be hit or miss too sometimes although touch wood the last few times we've flown in we've been in the car within an hour of landing which is pretty awesome.
Good to hear it wouldn't put you off MIA though People really whinge about so I was wondering whats up?

 

[counselormom]

We've flown into Miami many times, I prefer the Ft. Lauderdale airport and
use it as much as I possibly can instead of Miami. However, I've never
minded flying into Miami nearly as much as flying out! Baggage claim is
not a problem and has always been pretty fast, can't help with immigration
though, sorry. I always look at the Miami airport as a wonderful experience
in people watching!

 

[Pinkerbell1983]

I've flown into Miami twice in the last 6 months and never had any delays or anything.

 

[nemmie]

I've flown into Miami twice in the last 6 months and never had any delays or anything.

Good to know! Thanks.

 

[nemmie]

We've flown into Miami many times, I prefer the Ft. Lauderdale airport and
use it as much as I possibly can instead of Miami. However, I've never
minded flying into Miami nearly as much as flying out! Baggage claim is
not a problem and has always been pretty fast, can't help with immigration
though, sorry. I always look at the Miami airport as a wonderful experience
in people watching!

Thanks, we've flown out from Miami a few times and its been ok so if flying in is no worse I think we'll be fine

 

[wendy1974]

I lived in St. Maarten for a year and a half but always connected through Miami when coming home to visit. I've probably gone through immigration there 7 times and never waited more than 15 minutes. However, that could have been due to the fact that I was always on the same flight and got into Miami around 4:00 p.m. each trip. But we always came into the same area that had several lines available to choose from.