International flight question

[Tennessee Titan]

Why is it that when airports and airlines now almost universally suggest getting to an airport FOR A DOMESTIC FLIGHT at least two hours before flight time, we hear people saying that a SCHEDULED international arrival two hours before a connecting flight gives plenty of time?

 

I think the answer is a combination of two or more of the following: they have never flown, they have never experienced a late arriving flight, they have never experienced delays at immigration and/or customs, they have insufficient imagination to even conceive of things going wrong, they like the idea of sounding like experienced travelers by giving bland assurances, and maybe they hope to play a nasty trick on some gullible travelers.

 

Of course, it can be done - but the hassle of missing a connection - especially after getting off a trans-Pacific flight - is not something to unthinkingly risk - so why not suggest a reasonably cautious approach?

Get there the day before; you cant miss that way......

[kazu]

Why is it that when airports and airlines now almost universally suggest getting to an airport FOR A DOMESTIC FLIGHT at least two hours before flight time, we hear people saying that a SCHEDULED international arrival two hours before a connecting flight gives plenty of time?

 

I think the answer is a combination of two or more of the following: they have never flown, they have never experienced a late arriving flight, they have never experienced delays at immigration and/or customs, they have insufficient imagination to even conceive of things going wrong, they like the idea of sounding like experienced travelers by giving bland assurances, and maybe they hope to play a nasty trick on some gullible travelers.

 

Of course, it can be done - but the hassle of missing a connection - especially after getting off a trans-Pacific flight - is not something to unthinkingly risk - so why not suggest a reasonably cautious approach?

 

The airlines themselves are partially to blame IMO.

 

The offer connections here with only an hour and a smidge that require going through U.S. Customs & Immigration. Can't be done since you must be at the boarding gate 1/2 hour before in most cases.

 

We look for connections of over 2 hours whenever possible - prefer three hours and quite often we have a longer wait, but I'd rather wait with no stress than to stress about lineups and catching a flight.