I was arriving this morning on UA846 from EZE to IAD. The stars seemed to align properly - I cleared the waitlist for C, the flight left the gate 10 minutes early and with a little help from the wind, we were due to land at 6:02am - arounnd 45 minutes ahead of schedule. I've been away from my family for a few days and was psyched to see everyone.

Flight lands at 6am. Taxiing and deplaning takes a remarkable 5 minutes. Then, of course, the [profanity removed] "mobile lounge" is not in operation because of the shock of our early arrival. An entire 767 was literally jammed into the area at the bottom of the esclator waiting to board the non-existent bus.

These flights arrive every morning (in addition to the GRU flight). I continue to be amazed by the apparent disbelief that they could arrive early. The reality is simply that no one cares if arrriving passengers wait.

25 minutes later, they ferried us to the customs terminal where an SAA flight had beat us in queue to access the 2 US Customs agents (for American passport holders) creating a 60 minute dealy.

Once again, as a Washingtonian, I am utterly emarassed that Dulles is the gateway for the world to access our Capital City. Ironic that every third world country I've visited offers a smoother immigration process (although perhaps less air conditioning).

I wish I could argue with you. Things are getting better (eg, the destruction of Terminal G, the additional of an elite security line, more restaurants in C/D), but it's still a crappy, crappy airport. You're right ... it's the int'l gateway to the entire DC region ... and it's just an embarrassment.

Lots of construction happening. It will get better; just not today...or tomorrow...or the next day.

Even if the facilities get better, I seriously doubt the workers' attitudes will. People there are simply craba$$es all the time.

There should be some type of communication from UA central command to IAD saying "we know the moon buggies aren't yet in operation, but we have 2 767s arriving early and somebody needs to start 'em up."

Even if the facilities get better, I seriously doubt the workers' attitudes will. People there are simply craba$$es all the time.

You might be surprised. I was stunned at how much the attitudes of NW ticket and gate agents improved after NW moved into the new terminal at DTW and out of their old nasty concrete bunker.

25 minutes later, they ferried us to the customs terminal where an SAA flight had beat us in queue to access the 2 US Customs agents (for American passport holders) creating a 60 minute dealy.The SAA flight arrived around the same time as yours. Part of the issue seems to be the DHS staffing if they only had 2 customs agents for U.S. passport holders. The SAA pax would probably have beaten you to the IAB even if the mobile lounge had been on time for you - their mobile lounge ride is short since their gate is on the north side of the B terminal.

Lots of construction happening. It will get better; just not today...or tomorrow...or the next day.

There's a race... which will happen first:

UAD gets "fixed"
UAL.BOMB gets "fixed"


:D

If no checked bags, do immigration/customs at the mid-field terminal


I've done this on a flight from Europe and it worked beautifully...

If no checked bags, do immigration/customs at the mid-field terminal


I've done this on a flight from Europe and it worked beautifully...


The midfield customs is not open that early in the morning. I believe it opens up for the 11AM LHR arrival.

DC

I was arriving this morning on UA846 from EZE to IAD.
...
These flights arrive every morning (in addition to the GRU flight). I continue to be amazed by the apparent disbelief that they could arrive early. The reality is simply that no one cares if arrriving passengers wait.

25 minutes later, they ferried us to the customs terminal where an SAA flight had beat us in queue to access the 2 US Customs agents (for American passport holders) creating a 60 minute dealy.

Once again, as a Washingtonian, I am utterly emarassed that Dulles is the gateway for the world to access our Capital City. Ironic that every third world country I've visited offers a smoother immigration process (although perhaps less air conditioning).

I feel your pain!! See: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=581268
:(

Yup, I hear your pain. Those early morning arrivals into IAD really do seem to get the worst of IAD. I was at KIX and had to wait minutes for customs, but people in line were even praising it compared to the specific flight you mentioned.

Moved to the Washington forum.

cblaisd
Moderator, United

Moved to the Washington forum.

cblaisd
Moderator, United

[Discussion of specific moderator actions removed per http://www.flyertalk.com/help/rules.php#q86 ]This is about the lack of coordination between UA and IAD and the processing of international passengers from the mid-field terminal and a UA flight, as well as the overall poor IAD set-up, etc.

[Discussion of specific moderator actions removed per http://www.flyertalk.com/help/rules.php#q86 ]

[Discussion of specific moderator actions removed per http://www.flyertalk.com/help/rules.php#q86 ]This is about the lack of coordination between UA and IAD and the processing of international passengers from the mid-field terminal and a UA flight, as well as the overall poor IAD set-up, etc.

[Discussion of specific moderator actions removed per http://www.flyertalk.com/help/rules.php#q86 ]

You want this returned to UA because the problem is created by UA?

What if any responsibility and control does UA have over the moonbuggy operations, and the customs /imigration service, for that matter?

I think UA and or the tower can call til hell freezes over, and there is no buggy available.

I have stood at the bottom of the escalator at 3-5 pm for extended periods of time being told no buggies available, then arrive at C/I, and have to sit on the buggy because there is no room to enter C/I.

The people movers are operated by Metro airport athuority. I think they have trouble filling positions, particlarly odd hour positions. the pay is $17-22 per hour, requires big bus, or heavy equipment experience.

The job description carries these statements:

Thirty-seven and ½ hours per week, rotating shifts and rotating days off, not to exceed July 27, 2006. On July 28, 2006, tour of duty may be 30 hours per week, rotating shifts and rotating days off.

Employees are subject to holdover and recall on a 24-hour basis for essential services

I understand there are a lot of vacancies.

The problem is coordination between UA and the WMAA at IAD. UA is NOT blameless with the operational issues experienced at IAD. Sure, some things can't be helped or out of their control that day but this stuff is systematic for UA's operations at IAD, that is UA's fault for not getting with WMAA and addressing the issues. UA participates on the committee deciding how things are run and was instrumental in FINALLY getting that elite line in place.

As far as the jobs go, unfortunately the lack of attractiveness of this and many other jobs does impact the ability to provide good service, but its a matter of supply & demand and if you aren't getting the people hired that you need, you don't reduce their work load so you can now consider them part-time or cut their pay. They may have to suck it up and pay more, and as that increases operating expenses UA and the committee is likely involved. If they choose not to increase the wages or address the hiring shortfall, that would remain partially UAs responsibility along with WMAA (but yes, predominantly WMAA).

...
Once again, as a Washingtonian, I am utterly emarassed that Dulles is the gateway for the world to access our Capital City. Ironic that every third world country I've visited offers a smoother immigration process (although perhaps less air conditioning).

Uuups.... I am really looking forward to my upcomming flight to IAD :eek:

There's a race... which will happen first:

UAD gets "fixed"
UAL.BOMB gets "fixed"


:D

Can it really be defined as a race if neither party tries to participate?

If no checked bags, do immigration/customs at the mid-field terminal


I've done this on a flight from Europe and it worked beautifully...

I'm really curious about this as I'll probably need to use this in February (never check bags for good reason now) for a mid-afternoon flight from Munich. I have 90 minutes to get on to my domestic flight to LAX and would like to get through immigration/customs as quickly as possible. Where is this mid-field terminal on the IAD map: http://www.metwashairports.com/dulles/parking_transportation_3/directions_maps/terminal_map ? Do they have lines for non-US citizens as well?

Thanks :)

--lilazncanadian

I'm really curious about this as I'll probably need to use this in February (never check bags for good reason now) for a mid-afternoon flight from Munich. I have 90 minutes to get on to my domestic flight to LAX and would like to get through immigration/customs as quickly as possible. Where is this mid-field terminal on the IAD map: http://www.metwashairports.com/dulles/parking_transportation_3/directions_maps/terminal_map ? Do they have lines for non-US citizens as well?

Thanks :)

--lilazncanadian
when you exit the plane, you sent through a glassed in hall which at the end will direct you in one of two directions based on whether you are transiting/connecting or are terminating at Dulles. It won't be on the map but it is located under Terminal C.

I was surprised that my LH flight into Terminal B yesterday also offered the option for transiting passengers with two people movers one to the main terminal, the other to the mid-field area for customs/immigration.

when you exit the plane, you sent through a glassed in hall which at the end will direct you in one of two directions based on whether you are transiting/connecting or are terminating at Dulles. It won't be on the map but it is located under Terminal C.

I was surprised that my LH flight into Terminal B yesterday also offered the option for transiting passengers with two people movers one to the main terminal, the other to the mid-field area for customs/immigration.

Awesome, this is exactly what I needed to know (just want to be prepared!) thanks for the info!