A friend will be connecting through IAD, arriving on the Austrian Air flight from Vienna and connecting to a domestic UA flight. Since they'll have a long wait, I'd like to drive up and meet them.

I've never arrived at IAD from abroad, so I'm not sure what the set up is like for people connecting to domestic flights. After re-checking their bags, do they come out of the unsecured terminal into the main arrivals/baggage hall downstairs and later go through the main security lines upstairs? Or do signs direct them to a separate security line that leads back to the secured area without ever coming out to the unsecured area? If the latter, would my friend still get to me if they followed the signs for pax whose final destination is DC?

Thanks!

Yonatan

Actually they would never leave security, using the mid-field terminal to go through customs & immigration - that's where their bags will be sent as they are connecting. Once that's done, they can take the mobile lounge out to the main terminal and exit security to meet you.

How long is their layover, it might sound like a lot of time but depending on time of day, it takes awhile to be processed, get your luggage and be re-screened. Also, does your friend have airline status? If not, security lines at IAD in the afternoon can get lengthy and it might be a pain for take awhile for them to wait and be re-screened.

ps Your profile says BOS, your post says drive "up" ... where would you be coming from?

ADDED: You should check on the Austrian board as to whether they use the mid-field C&I terminal for connecting passengers or not. I figured they did but was just notified that it might not be the case (for the travellers sake, I hope they do) ... that needs to verified as my post may not be accurate otherwise - it would definitely apply to UA/LH travellers

might consider buying a refundable ticket to nowhere, go through customs, and meet them somewhere airside at one of those fine restaurants at IAD.

might consider buying a refundable ticket to nowhere, go through customs, and meet them somewhere airside at one of those fine restaurants at IAD.
Pretty sure you meant security not customs in that post ...

Actually they would never leave security, using the mid-field terminal to go through customs & immigration - that's where their bags will be sent as they are connecting. Once that's done, they can take the mobile lounge out to the main terminal and exit security to meet you.

ADDED: You should check on the Austrian board as to whether they use the mid-field C&I terminal for connecting passengers or not. I figured they did but was just notified that it might not be the case (for the travellers sake, I hope they do) ... that needs to verified as my post may not be accurate otherwise - it would definitely apply to UA/LH travellers

I was seeing a friend off on BA last evening so I asked the Austrian staff at the adjoining gate about the "ADDED" comment above. They confirm that arriving Austrian passengers that are connecting onward on United do use the C-Concourse facilities to clear Immigration, Customs, recheck bags, and pass through TSA security (same as arriving UA/LH passengers). Only those passengers whose final destination is IAD go through IAB facilities in the Main Terminal and exit into the baggage claim area.