As a very seasoned traveller I have a question I should know but don't . We are flying from Canada to SXM and have to stop in the States twice on the way our first stop we have only One hour fifteen minutes to clear customs and catch our connecting flight . The question is can the bags be checked through to SXM or do we have to claim them to clear customs

Since you will be connecting to a domestic flight, even though the bags are checked through, you will probably need to pick up the bags to get through customs. Then drop off for the connection to sxm. This is after you go through passport control. The second stop in the US will not require you seeing your bags. This all assumes you have a single booking with multiple planes/flights. Best to call you airline to be sure.

It depends on your departure airport from Canada. If it's from a major airport, you will clear US immigration at the airport on departure and your bags will be checked all the way to SXM.

You will not have to clear immigration or customs on your first stop in the US.

I have done this kind of travel many many times

You're right. I flew many times between Montreal and Pittsburgh and I cleared US Immigration and Customs in Montreal, not in Pittsburgh.

The problem is it is not a major airport and there is no USA customs office. I'm sure on trips in the past we picked up our bags cleared customs and checked in our bags again. Where the problem is the time to catch the first connecting flight. We are thinking of just taking carry on but then we would have to leave stuff behind we would like to have. If we miss the first connecting flight we lose one whole day

As a general rule, bags are tagged through to the final destination, you land at your first US destination, pass through Customs/Immigration, pick up your bags while still inside the Customs area, pass the final check point where you hand in your card and drop off your checked luggage at an area immediately outside marked "connecting flights". You then pass through a TSA checkpoint (but not nearly as big as those in the main terminal) and go to your next gate.

HOWEVER, I can't guarantee that this will be the case at YOUR first airport, so be to check - I'll bet you can even look at that airport's official website and find out for sure.

If you get tied up in a huge Customs or TSA line, being only carry-on won't help. It should take all of five minutes to collect your checked luggage and put it on the "connecting flights" conveyor belt. The kicker would be if your airport didn't use this process and you had to actually recheck your bags. Since your port of entry must have customs & immigration, it is quite likely to be a larger airport.

But you are doing the right thing by finding out now, not the day you fly!

Then it depends on the connecting airport. If is a small airport, then you probably have enough time. A major airport, and I think you would be cutting it close. Which airport is it? Maybe some TTOLers have experience there.

In your case you'll have to clear US Immigration, claim your checked bags, clear US Customs and re-clear TSA (Security). Thus a 1 hour 15 minute connecting time with checked luggage is cutting it VERY CLOSE and will work only if every aligns perfectly in your favor. The least bit of a delay in any phase of your travel (flight delay, long lines at Immigration and/or Customs, being singled out at Customs for a thorough inspection, a delay in you baggage reaching the carrousel, long lines at TSA, etc. and you'll miss your connecting flight. Even with only carry-on you are cutting it very close and leaving no margin for error.

Remember, better to have an extra 30 or 60 minutes wait time at your connecting flight's departure gate rather than arrive at the gate 1 minute after the plane closes the door and pushes back from the gate.

Allow at least 90 minutes between flights if doing Carry-on and at least 2 hours if checking luggage.

Hi Fletch you are right finally got through to US air and that's what happens the one bonus is we are on a very small plane so it won't take long to get the luggage

You did not say when you are leaving. If it is not for awhile I would suggest applying for a Nexus card and ensure it is set up to work with GOES in the US. We made it through customs, baggage re-check, and boarding in less than 30 min in CLT.