UA 839 - LAX - SYD - MEL - where to clear customs?
Dec 19, 2012, 6:32 am
#31
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BGM/ PHL
Programs: US (Silver, *A Silver), AA, Starbucks (Gold)
Posts: 2,242
Last month in SYD, me a UA Gold for more than a decade travelling in C with a ticket purchased months ahead with the regularly used credit card got the search - I didn't mind - but I was surprised to see my boarding pass has SSSS on it. The connecting flight at SFO did not have the four S notation.
I have had the thorough search (in SYD) in previous years on several occasions.
I have had the thorough search (in SYD) in previous years on several occasions.
About half way down the jetbridge boarding the flight to EWR, a security guy comes up and asks to see my boarding pass, he then tells me that I need to come with him for additional security measures. He takes me to a screened off area at the bottom of the jetbridge where I get a much more thorough grope. He then dumps the contents of my rollaboard on the table, proceeds to swab everything and then demands I power up my computer, digital camera, cell phone, and tablet and demonstrate that they work. Then I was let go and allowed to board. Had to gate check my rollaboard and I was literally the last person on the plane (FA shut the door behind me). He looked at my boarding pass first, so I'm pretty sure it wasn't random.
Connecting flight to GSP went mechanical and was canceled before I arrived in EWR, boarding pass for new flight thankfully wasn't marked SSSS.
Last edited by thomwithanh; Dec 19, 2012 at 8:05 am
Dec 30, 2012, 12:03 pm
#32
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: YVR
Programs: Non-status bottomfeeder
Posts: 827
Sort of. This my recollection of travel between MEL & SYD in the spring of 2007:
Domestic travel on UA from MEL-SYD
BP receives a sticker designating pax as a domestic traveler. Since UA departs from international gates, pax goes through special line at passport control (the "D" line). At gate, GA takes the small part of the BP and you retain the large part with the sticker.
Upon arrival at SYD, domestic pax are asked to wait in the middle of the jetway until all are off the plane, then escorted to the immigration area. Again, a special "D" lane for domestic pax, where BP and ID are checked. This line was also as the crew lane.
Bag reclaim was typical of domestic, although you do exit through a customs channel and the customs agents retain your BP.
On the day I flew, there were 5 domestic pax; of these, 3 of us had checked bags. We arrived SYD around 1 PM, which seems to be a dead time for international arrivals as there was no other activity in the area other than the UA flight.
Domestic travel on UA from MEL-SYD
BP receives a sticker designating pax as a domestic traveler. Since UA departs from international gates, pax goes through special line at passport control (the "D" line). At gate, GA takes the small part of the BP and you retain the large part with the sticker.
Upon arrival at SYD, domestic pax are asked to wait in the middle of the jetway until all are off the plane, then escorted to the immigration area. Again, a special "D" lane for domestic pax, where BP and ID are checked. This line was also as the crew lane.
Bag reclaim was typical of domestic, although you do exit through a customs channel and the customs agents retain your BP.
On the day I flew, there were 5 domestic pax; of these, 3 of us had checked bags. We arrived SYD around 1 PM, which seems to be a dead time for international arrivals as there was no other activity in the area other than the UA flight.
Specifically who mans the check in desk in SYD?
It makes perfect sense for the UA agent in MEL to be checking in pax who are only going to SYD (using the special stickers etc) in adition to their normal duties dealing with thru pax to LAX or SFO but what about in the middle at SYD? It doesn't seem like UA would have a desk open for "5 pax" hopping on UA839 for that leg.
Does anybody have a first hand account of going SYD-MEL on UA839 alone?
Just called UA and they said no way, not possible because of an Australian equivalent of the Jones Act (even for what 1kBill did).
Dec 30, 2012, 1:23 pm
#33
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,157
Cabotage laws mean that you can't buy SYD-MEL or MEL-SYD on standalone tickets, but you can buy them as a part of a ticket that includes international travel. eg, you can fly SFO-SYD, stay in SYD for a few days, and then fly SYD-MEL - as long as it's all purchased on the one ticket. Even the website will let you purchase such a ticket without any problem.
Jan 6, 2013, 2:10 pm
#34
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 153
Hey y'all
sorry to keep resurrecting an old thread, but I'm wondering about the de-planeing in Syndey before continuing on to Melbourne. I want to go to the Vodafone or Optus stores which are PAST Customs. If Customs isn't busy, do you think it would be possible for me to clear customs and nip into one of the mobile shops to buy a SIM card, and re-clear security, in time for the continuation of the flight?
I seem to recall the stopover is pretty long just for a de-planeing. 1-2 Hours.
I am a Canadian with no past travel issues, and I will have my VISA in order. I will also be in compliance with the 100 ml limit, so I don't expect any problems there either.
Do you think this MIGHT be possible? If I do find the customs line is looking to be too long, I could always abadon the idea, turn back and wait in the secure area for the flight...
sorry to keep resurrecting an old thread, but I'm wondering about the de-planeing in Syndey before continuing on to Melbourne. I want to go to the Vodafone or Optus stores which are PAST Customs. If Customs isn't busy, do you think it would be possible for me to clear customs and nip into one of the mobile shops to buy a SIM card, and re-clear security, in time for the continuation of the flight?
I seem to recall the stopover is pretty long just for a de-planeing. 1-2 Hours.
I am a Canadian with no past travel issues, and I will have my VISA in order. I will also be in compliance with the 100 ml limit, so I don't expect any problems there either.
Do you think this MIGHT be possible? If I do find the customs line is looking to be too long, I could always abadon the idea, turn back and wait in the secure area for the flight...
Jan 6, 2013, 6:34 pm
#35
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: MEL/LAX/JFK
Programs: UA 1K(0.7MM) Hilton Gold/La Quinta Gold
Posts: 897
sorry to keep resurrecting an old thread, but I'm wondering about the de-planeing in Syndey before continuing on to Melbourne. I want to go to the Vodafone or Optus stores which are PAST Customs. If Customs isn't busy, do you think it would be possible for me to clear customs and nip into one of the mobile shops to buy a SIM card, and re-clear security, in time for the continuation of the flight?
You are competing with all the other inbound flights to get out, then all the outgoing flights to get back in.
There is a Vodafone store when you come out of Customs in Melbourne.
The time in Sydney before MEL is not that long, enough time to have a shower/breakfast/couple of cups of coffee, before you are called for boarding to MEL.
Jan 6, 2013, 9:30 pm
#36
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 153
Wow, that sounds serious. OK, I won't bother. I didn't know there wuz a Vodafone outlet aT Tullamarine. D'ya happen to know if there any other options at MEL?
Jan 6, 2013, 9:59 pm
#37
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,157
You sure? The maps on the Melbourne Airport website don't show it, nor does the Store finder link on the Vodafone website, which shows the nearest being in the Westfield a few kms away.
(Given they have at least 2 at Sydney airport that surprises me, but I just can't see it on either of the maps!)
(Given they have at least 2 at Sydney airport that surprises me, but I just can't see it on either of the maps!)
Jan 7, 2013, 1:16 am
#38
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: MEL/LAX/JFK
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Posts: 897
It may not be an Official Vodafone store, but it's there with all the Vodafone signs as of 2 weeks ago.
http://melbourneairport.com.au/For-B...rtunities.html
http://melbourneairport.com.au/For-B...rtunities.html
Jan 7, 2013, 8:50 am
#39
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 153
Very interesting.
I note there's also a Virgin Books & Music store. Would such a store typically carry Virgin Mobile SIM cards (i.e. at the counter maybe?) or are they totally separate from Virgin Mobile?
I note there's also a Virgin Books & Music store. Would such a store typically carry Virgin Mobile SIM cards (i.e. at the counter maybe?) or are they totally separate from Virgin Mobile?
Jan 14, 2013, 4:38 pm
#41
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
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Posts: 8,157
Jan 26, 2013, 9:29 pm
#42
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: HKG / LAX
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 82
Does anyone happen to know..
Does anyone happen to know if the second portion of 839 is upgrade-eligible? Can;t dig up any info on this.
Jan 26, 2013, 10:27 pm
#43
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
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Jan 26, 2013, 10:44 pm
#44
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Location: MEL/LAX/JFK
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But why would you?
You only get better seats, same coffee/drinks and a bag of mixed nuts or pretzels.
Jan 27, 2013, 11:28 am
#45
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: HKG / LAX
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 82
Thanks for the info... I know its only a hop and a skip to Melbourne, afterwards.