IAD CBP Zoo Makes Other Hubs More Attractive
#1
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IAD CBP Zoo Makes Other Hubs More Attractive
No wonder UA had the lowest fare bar none for MEX-BTV...because they had to try to encourage some saps to go via their zoo of a hub at IAD. Inbound today (7/10) ex MEX was early...so would have been 1.5hrs+ to connection....and took pax over 2hrs just to get thru Customs/Immigration...and were reprotected on a flight 5hrs later, arriving past Midnight. To top off the insult is the gouging Dulles does on phone calls, blocking access to Bell Canada's 800 number at airport pay-phones so that pax couldn't call home at a reasonable rate (operator quoted $3/minute to Canada...vs $0 on a Bell card)....upon hearing this usurious charge, even UA personnel were embarrassed, and let the client use a UA phone to call home...
I think that the CBP is getting things to be ... Heading down by car via Champlain and Rouses Point,NY on Sunday experienced 90+minute delays at land crossings...and that was just to get the Nexus lane...
I think that the CBP is getting things to be ... Heading down by car via Champlain and Rouses Point,NY on Sunday experienced 90+minute delays at land crossings...and that was just to get the Nexus lane...
Last edited by JDiver; Jul 16, 2012 at 3:52 pm Reason: redacted OMNI-fodder
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 774
Border wait times are often large at certain times of the day - this is true for many other US airports. Booking a short connecton after an international flight is always risky.
If you travel internationally frequently, apply for NEXUS - expedited security in canada, no border waits entering us or canada (by air or land). As a NEXUS holder, you can use global entry kiosks when entering US.
If you travel internationally frequently, apply for NEXUS - expedited security in canada, no border waits entering us or canada (by air or land). As a NEXUS holder, you can use global entry kiosks when entering US.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
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Airport Wait Times: http://apps.cbp.gov/awt/
Of course it doesn't take into account the variance between U.S. Citizens and others.
Of course it doesn't take into account the variance between U.S. Citizens and others.
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
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I agree that IAD has the worst CBP lines that I've experienced in my numerous times re-entering the US through UA's hubs. Can't speak for hubs of other airlines, but in the PMUA system, IAD is the worst in this regard, especially for connecting passengers.
#5
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I'm flying PEK-IAD nonstop in a week, how's IAD CBP at 8pm for IAD destination passengers at that hour? I know I could go via other hubs but hey, nonstop in Global First Class, can't beat that...
#6
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Hope you're early is all I can say!
#7
Join Date: Dec 2004
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What's more, once you finally get through passport control and immigration you get to deal with the TSA. In my repeated experience, the wait times for post-CBP security are well outside what could be reasonably called acceptable.
#8
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This was a legal connection as booked...the alternative to the 1hr 40min connect was the 6+ wait that was eventually foisted upon them. Nothing in-between. To add insult to injury, a CSR passed out cards saying that pax could call in and make their re-accommodations...rather than stand in line...and, at first, the agent on the line wanted $70/person for the privilege of rebooking...after the volcano erupted, and she checked with a supervisor, she made the change...the nerve!
#11
Join Date: May 2004
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The problem must be the midfield terminal. I find that the main terminal is generally efficient enough that you are through immigration before your bags show up. Granted, I go through the US citizen/resident line.
#12
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#13
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC
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I agree that IAD passport control can be a nightmare. Sometimes it's fine, but at other times it's far worse than I've experienced anywhere else in the US. Coming back from AMS on UA a few years ago, it took me somewhere in the 30-45 minute range to clear passport control there, as a US citizen. Inexcusable. That's like GIG or MEX territory.
#14
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, To top off the insult is the gouging Dulles does on phone calls, blocking access to Bell Canada's 800 number at airport pay-phones so that pax couldn't call home at a reasonable rate (operator quoted $3/minute to Canada...vs $0 on a Bell card)....upon hearing this usurious charge, even UA personnel were embarrassed, and let the client use a UA phone to call home......
i think you're beating the dog. dulles has nothing to do with the pay phone prices. they are privately owned. probably has nothing to do with long distance rate. that is a connection thru las vegas and run by the mafia(for real)
Last edited by slawecki; Jul 11, 2012 at 12:01 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,784
I agree that IAD passport control can be a nightmare. Sometimes it's fine, but at other times it's far worse than I've experienced anywhere else in the US. Coming back from AMS on UA a few years ago, it took me somewhere in the 30-45 minute range to clear passport control there, as a US citizen. Inexcusable. That's like GIG or MEX territory.