Too close a connection in Amsterdam?

We missed a connection with a little over an hour this past Christmas in Amsterdam. Our biggest problem was that we were buried in the back of plane. It took over 20 mins for use to get off the plane and that was added to a 15 min arrival delay, and, of course, the immigration (passport check) and the security lines were long. With our short connect time we were bumped up in both lines but still missed our connecting flight. You probably need closer to 90 mins.

I'd check on the next flight to Rome on the same airline before leaving home, just so you have an idea of how long you'd have to wait should you miss your connection. Also, you could check that next flight before leaving home to see if it shows any seats available. I'd carry on my luggage, because even if you make that tight connection your checked bags may not.

It's probably not enough time. A couple of years ago, Schipol opened a new runway which transatlantic flights seems to use most of the time. This new runway is almost three miles away from the terminal building! So it can take over 30 minutes after landing for the jet to lumber along to the gate:) Having said that, check to see how many flights a day your airline has between AMS and Rome. If they have at least three or four, I wouldn't stress-out about it; if you miss your original connection there's a very good chance they can put you on a later flight.

I can never understand why TA's book such tight connections. Personally I wouldn't consider anything under 2- 21/2 hours. As mentioned, just disembarking can take 20 mins. Don't put yourself under unecessary
pressure.

50 minutes is OK, when making an intra-europe connection, but tight when coming from the US because you have to go through immigration before catching your flight to Rome. However it is a legal connection, as the minimum legal connection time in AMS is 45 minutes, therefore it pops up on your TA's reservation system and if they don't look too carefully at flight times, they book it. Now that you know that you have a tight connection, plan accordingly. Request seats as close to the front of the plane as possible, go to the lav before landing, walk fast, ask to be rushed through lines, etc. If your incoming plane is on time your chances are not bad! Also, know what your options are if you miss your flight. When is the next flight to Rome?

I second to that: even if you can make a connection, your luggage is at risk of being delayed - or worse -. If you have to run across the terminals just to catch the plane, your luggage will not arrive, as international luggage arriving from US have to be scanned before being redistributed to other European destinations.