Swiss International Airlines - JFK-ZRH-GVA transit and luggage question

I have my first Swiss experience next month when I fly the above itinerary. Looking forward to a great first impression in C aboard the new A333. :)

A few questions I'm hoping you can help me with.

When do I see my luggage? I imagine I'll need to collect it at ZRH, then clear customs/immigration and then re-check it for the GVA lfight, is that right? I can't remember the last international -> domestic transfer I did because I live in SYD and fly QF, so apologies if this is a bit of a dumb question.

The second question relates to meeting a friend at ZRH. He's coming in from KBP (having just done a tour of Chernobyl, the lucky beggar) and we're on the same flight to GVA together. Will I be able to meet him somewhere near immigration, or just at the gate for our GVA flight?

And finally what's the terminal/gate arrangement for our ZRH-GVA flight? I've seen people mention apron and bus gates as opposed to aerobridges, is that likely to be the case in mid-December when the weather's dodgy? We're on an A320 if that makes any difference.
And how is transit from the International terminal to the Domestic terminal (if there is such a thing) managed?

Thanks for your help.

I haven't done this from the US, but I've flown SYD-ZRH-GVA twice this year, with the ZRH-GVA flight on Swiss.

You don't have to collect your baggage until GVA. Your flight from JFK will probably arrive at the E gates which are in a separate building. (I could be wrong about E, but most of the long-haul flights go there.) If so, you just follow the signs down the escalators to the train link that takes you to an immigration check to get into the main A/B terminal. (There are separate marked lines for going to A/B or entering Zurich.)

You should be able to meet your friend anywhere in the main terminal area. I would suggest meeting at one of the restaurants or bars in the main terminal rather than near immigration, though, as there's nowhere there to really hang around and wait. (It's just a big empty space with queues for the booths.) You might want to check out the Zurich airport website (http://www.zurich-airport.com/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-79/) to pick somewhere to meet.

The Swiss flight to GVA goes from the A-gates. There's a security check to get into the A-gate wing, but basically getting around is quite straightforward.

All in all, ZRH is a very convenient airport and well sign-posted. Hope you have a great trip.

Correct, you collect your belongings in GVA at the baggage claim ( This is a friendly country not the US )

You will arrive at an E gate, take the toy train, say hello to Heidi and go through an easy passport check ( last less than 5 secs! ^) one stair up when you leave the train.
You can then meet your friend anywhere in the main terminal building, where Swiss has the C lounges. If your friend is also in C I suggest you choose the business lounge, otherwise the restaurant downstairs.

You both can then proceed to gate A 64 where the flights for Geneva leave. To the left is a priority lane for business class passengers for the security screening.

This thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/swiss-international-airlines/962962-zrh-airport-where-meet.html)may be of some use to you, especially post # 3...about where to meet someone at ZRH.

have fun in Heidiland!

Thankyou all for your help. I had a quick look at ZRH on Google Earth - I can see the arrangement with the E gates and the main building, that's good to know.

My friend unfortunately isn't travelling in C, so we'll meet at a restaurant somewhere in the main building. I guess that's where his flight from KBP will arrive anyway.

And can I just ask - who the heck is Heidi? A mascot?

And can I just ask - who the heck is Heidi? A mascot?
and this is the original Heidi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidi
this means GVA is not the Heidiland ;)

And can I just ask - who the heck is Heidi? A mascot?

The little shuttle train between E and the rest of the airport has a soundtrack with cowbells, cows mooing and other "Swiss" sounds. I find it a bit surreal if I'm really tired after a long-haul in Y. ;)

Heidiland visit was so awesome! Its absolutely scenic (of course, this is Switzerland!). Anyways, yes, its not near GVA, but near ZRH.