How long can we expect it to take to get through immigration at MCO?

[Thorpy]

Originally Posted by Kraken

All airports worldwide charge passenger handling fees that differ by the passengers origin, i.e. international or domestic arrival. The main difference between the two is the additional fee levied to pay to immigration & customs for international arrivals.

US CBP to try to match the staffing levels to expected arrivals as best they can. But as has already been stated, all you need is a few early or late arrivals to screw things up.

I've landed in Orlando on the VS75 some 40mins early & there were only 3 desks open in immigration (one for US Citizens & two for Visitors). The next shift started to arrive as we waited, but were in no hurry to start work a nanosecond early to help move the queue. Had we arrived on-time, the next shift would have been on duty and waiting for us.

At the end of the day, immigration will take as long as it takes. Could be under in 15mins, could be 2hrs+ (possibly with a wait on the plane before you're allowed to disembark). The CBP officers take their job seriously and if they keep people waiting, then so be it.

That said, I have found the CBP officers in Orlando to be generally quite friendly compared to some other US airports.

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Unpredictable, unavoidable and often uncomfortable.

[MinniMouse]

Haven’t read through entire thread so in answer to OP it took us probably about an hour and a bit between finally getting of the plane (there was a thunderstorm so had to wait) to getting to baggage carousel. That was Friday Glasgow virgin flight.

[Guest]

We were the 2nd and 3rd passengers to enter the hall for last September - then proceeded to wait over an hour for our bags! We’ve done everything from 20min to in excess of 2 hours.

[Kraken]

Originally Posted by Thorpy

Unpredictable, unavoidable and often uncomfortable.

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That about sums US immigration up in a nutshell (at most US airports). Maybe that post should be made a sticky by the moderators!

The only way to make US immigration bearable / enjoyable is to obtain Global Entry - even US Citizens are doing this too as it's way faster than even the US Citizens line.

That said, I do have Global Entry and on one of my last arrivals at Orlando we were held on the aircraft for 45mins on arrival due to congestion in immigration. Once off the plane I was through in about 2mins.

[mick]

Originally Posted by Kraken

That about sums US immigration up in a nutshell (at most US airports). Maybe that post should be made a sticky by the moderators!

The only way to make US immigration bearable / enjoyable is to obtain Global Entry - even US Citizens are doing this too as it's way faster than even the US Citizens line.

That said, I do have Global Entry and on one of my last arrivals at Orlando we were held on the aircraft for 45mins on arrival due to congestion in immigration. Once off the plane I was through in about 2mins.

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Indeed and just add underneath

"Absolutely no point in stressing about things over which you have no control."

Mick

[orlandoN21]

All depends...on my 9th visit in February the time it took to get off the plane... go through immigration (which only took 20 minutes)...collect luggage and get to my hotel on I-Drive via shuttle transfer was just under 2 hours which was the fastest time ever for me.

[dpmcalister]

I'm hoping February is quiet next year. Getting out quickly is a nice bonus

[Welshjim22]

Originally Posted by aj26392

Only flown into MCO once before but we cleared immigration at Dublin, so we were classed as a domestic flight when we arrived at MCO.

I understand that they did have automated machines etc which have now been removed.

I know it can depend on how many flights arrive etc, but how long roughly does it take to get through immigration?

I think we land around 3pm, if that makes any difference... ?

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The electronic kiosks were a waste of time and money, hence they have gone.
People ask about wait times but you can't predict or judge.

Flights never land exactly on time some times they cluster together, other days they spread out, officers might pick up a case and be tied up, general staffing issues.

[Thorpy]

We got good use out of the kiosks one year... they did make it faster. The next visit we had a first time visitor that was 2 yr old...and the kiosks were useless as they didn't go down far enough.

[Tartan Tigger]

We were through immigration, had our luggage and on the monorail in 35 minutes on 30th June. That was arriving on the Glasgow Virgin flight.