Layover time in Houston

[NTSilver]

We are US citizens coming from Cabo San Lucas to DCA yesterday (Tues 15 Apr). We had the official limit of 1 hour and 10 minutes for the Houston airport. Customs was packed, and this was a Tuesday. It seems now that US citizens and others are all in the same line. We barely made it to the flight so of course our bags did not make it. I think 2 hours will be fine - they have a train that takes you between terminals and that was very quick. All that being said, you just never know.

 

[Skyjunky]

Your return flight should be fine. I've made that same Continental flight from Bonaire, it's the early morning one. Done in 45 minutes.

 

[Hawkwood]

Many thanks to everyone who responded to my query!

 

[ScubaTexan]

Many thanks to everyone who responded to my query!

You're very welcome! Hope it helped out.

 

[driftwood]

Have a blast on Bonaire, it will spoil you for any other Carib diving! To give you an idea of just what is waiting for you go to Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) | Diving That Counts and check out the database. If memory serves, 8 of the top 10 reefs by diversity are on Bonaire.

 

[Hawkwood]

Driftwood,

I did order Susan Porter's book - thanks for the tip.

 

[driftwood]

That will be the best spent money for your trip! I have the two major books on Bonaire that most shops sell and they are a shadow compared to BSDME. It is amazing to me that her book is not more widely available in LDS's. I guess that people like better packaging and photos than hard information.

BTW, my avatar was taken from Buddy's dock on Bonaire.

 

[DandyDon]

Excerpting...

However, the return has us changing carriers in Houston - Continental from Bonaire and then United to Calgary. The layover is 2 hours to do US Customs and then security. I know it's tight, but is it doable? We often travel through Toronto internationally and I wouldn't be concerned there with a two hour layover.

Could anyone give me some of their "sage" wisdom?

I'm not a Houston local but have been thru that humongous airport a few times, and I got curious here...

I take it that you are flying non-stop Bonaire to Houston IAH on a Saturday? CO1899 arriving at 11:24 am? I think you will actually arrive in Terminal E, but D & E are both adjacent to the International Arrivals Building where you will clear Customs and Immigration to the extent a thru International passenger will - since you are not actually arriving into the US but just passing thru a US airport.

But if I am correct on your Continental arrival at 11:34 am, the next United or Air Canada flight to YYC/Calgary seems to be at 2:35 pm/14:35 hours - 3 hours later; United #511 or AC #5689 - does that sound right? It goes to Denver where you connect to the flight to Calgary arriving there at 8:52 pm/20:52 hours, correct?

Whether a 2 or 3 hour layover, you should be fine for the terminal change and check-in, I think - but it does seem to be a little tricky. On the attached map, you'll see that you will take the Terminal Link - a large, elevated car - from the International Arrivals Building to Terminal B, then walk around the inside of that square building to catch the bus at gate 67 to Terminal A.

BTW, United or Air Canada should recheck your luggage at the International Arrivals Building, so you won't have to worry about getting it up and down with the Terminal Link or onto the bus in B67.

 

[Hawkwood]

DandyDon:

Thanks for the info. You were correct with the Continetal flight arriving at 11:30 - our United Flight (actually Air Canada) departs at 13:35. Nice to know we can check our bags in before making our way to the other terminal.

Oh well, now it's time to think about Little Cayman Island in three weeks

2cm more snow forecast for Calgary today! Our first planned dive of the year with no ice got canned last Sunday due to an incredible snow storm. It looks like mid May in Cayman will be the first open water diving since we were under the ice in March.

 

[DandyDon]

DandyDon:

Thanks for the info. You were correct with the Continetal flight arriving at 11:30 - our United Flight (actually Air Canada) departs at 13:35. Nice to know we can check our bags in before making our way to the other terminal.

Ok, I don't know when you are traveling. There may be a schedule change planned on the United/AC flight but it currently departs for Denver at 14:35 with connection to Calgary/YYC.

And there should be agents on hand to check your luggage; hope so. That elevated car ride to Terminal B then Bus to Terminal A sounds like a lot, but it's just following directions at the airport. You'll do fine.