It does take longer for an Int'l pax to jump thru all the hoops, incl the luggage. But once you're inside the US "Bubble" all is fine. Checked bags on departing US flights will be handled straight thru to destination ONCE you are inside the "bubble". One OF Colly's problems was she ,as I understand it, came into IAH directly from outside the US and was therefore outside the "bubble". Had she landed in EWR, for example, and cleared there, sho would have had no trouble at all in connecting to BZE from IAH.

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But then what do I know, I am but a mere caveman