We have an 8 hour layover in Miami before our flight leaves for Rome. On arrival, we will be getting our luggage and my concern is do we go ahead and check into our flight at the international terminal or keep our luggage with us until 3-4 hours before the flight. My concern is our luggage sitting somewhere for hours and the chances of it being broken into. Or, am I worrying too much.
Posted by
Chicago
8233 posts
It could happen so wait 4 hours if that is your worry. Don't put anything valuable in there except clothes and toiletries
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8211 posts
Are you flying on two different tickets? Otherwise your bags would just be checked through. If on two separate tickets, I suppose it depends what you want to do in that time. If just planning on sitting and reading, keep them with you, if you are going to be wandering around, getting something to eat, shopping, etc; then I would go ahead and check them, you have a higher probability of someone grabbing them toting them around than sitting behind security.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3303 posts
There is a luggage storage service in terminal E on the second floor. Here’s a link with more information.
Posted by
Boston, MA
1832 posts
I have absolutely no fear of someone breaking into my luggage inside a major US airport once my luggage has been checked in.
Maybe I am naïve but cameras are everywhere and only employees would have access so the odds of someone risking their job and jail to take something from your bag is extremely low.
Posted by
Washington DC
28453 posts
Is it a given that luggage can be checked in 8 hours before a flight? I don't know that it is a problem, but I am wondering...
Posted by
OP
Atlanta
190 posts
Thanks for the advice. I did have my luggage broken in to at BWI several years ago. But, it's really the long layover that has me worried. And, yes my flights are not connected so I will have to pick up luggage and go through security again. But---I have plenty of time.
Posted by
13 posts
What airline are you flying from your home to Miami? (I'll assume you're on Alitalia to Rome, since that's the only airline serving that route nonstop)?
If you're flying Delta, it's a Skyteam partner of Alitalia, and you might be able to ask for your bags to be checked all the way through to Rome at your home airport, so you don't have to claim then at all in Miami. Airlines can often do this if they are "partners", even if you're on two different tickets. It's worth asking at your home airport if this is possible. However, it's less likely if you're flying another US airline (like United or American).
If not, then call up Alitalia and ask when their check-in opens in Miami - that's the time you could check your bag. It might be the case that, 8 hours ahead of time, nobody will even be at the counter to even accept the bag, since Alitalia only has one evening flight a day from Miami.
And don't worry about someone breaking into your bag. I mean, it's possible, but it's not really a matter of how long your bag sits at the airport. The extremely rare cases of bag contents theft are almost entirely from security personnel legally opening and inspecting your bag, and swiping something. Your checked bags will go through security regardless of how early or late you check them in.