IAD CBP Zoo Makes Other Hubs More Attractive
Jul 14, 2012, 11:28 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
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.
Jul 15, 2012, 3:48 pm
#17
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Programs: AA, UA, WN, HH, Marriott
Posts: 7,290
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 <redacted>. 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 <redacted>. 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 3:53 pm Reason: redacted previously deleted post content
Jul 17, 2012, 2:56 pm
#18
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 218
Actually, the airport authority does have control over the phone policies and charges. After all, the authority contracts with the company for the service (to allow them to provide the service). The airport authority controls the space and grants the access.
So, why so expensive? Because (1) the airport authority does not care to exercise control over price (2) they get commissions, so the higher the price, the more commissions (3) since when are airport authorities interested in reasonable prices and services for pax? Their real customers are the airlines.
It is for the same reason that airport food is so expensive. Captive market, and big concession fees.
Regarding blown connections, europe is no better. Missed a connection at CDG in May, IAD-CDG-FCO on AF, because of customs delays.
I think the bigger problem is booking these connections on the part of the airlines. They can't be that stupid - they have the data about how many are blown, so why do they still do it? don't know.
So, why so expensive? Because (1) the airport authority does not care to exercise control over price (2) they get commissions, so the higher the price, the more commissions (3) since when are airport authorities interested in reasonable prices and services for pax? Their real customers are the airlines.
It is for the same reason that airport food is so expensive. Captive market, and big concession fees.
Regarding blown connections, europe is no better. Missed a connection at CDG in May, IAD-CDG-FCO on AF, because of customs delays.
I think the bigger problem is booking these connections on the part of the airlines. They can't be that stupid - they have the data about how many are blown, so why do they still do it? don't know.
Jul 18, 2012, 9:11 am
#19
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: MD, USA
Programs: UA- Pl (2MM), AA-Go, Delta-Silver, Hyatt-Globalist!, MR/SPG comb - Plat, Hilton - nada
Posts: 705
Add both JFK & MIA to that list for me!!
Jul 29, 2012, 1:13 pm
#20
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The worst airport for my returns to the US as a US citizen is IAD, based upon greatest variance in time to get to passport control desks and the far longer average wait times I have experienced. For me, IAD is far worse than JFK, EWR, ORD, MIA, DTW, ATL, BOS, MSP, RDU, SFO, DEN, DFW, IAH and LAX. [I don't use PHL and CLT as a port of entry that much compared to all other airports noted in this post of mine.]
IAD and LHR are most frequently hitting me with the longest wait times, with LHR having not been as bad for as long as IAD has been so very bad.
IAD and LHR are most frequently hitting me with the longest wait times, with LHR having not been as bad for as long as IAD has been so very bad.
Jul 29, 2012, 8:53 pm
#21
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: BA blue, LH Senator, KQ (FB) gold
Posts: 8,215
The worst airport for my returns to the US as a US citizen is IAD, based upon greatest variance in time to get to passport control desks and the far longer average wait times I have experienced. For me, IAD is far worse than JFK, EWR, ORD, MIA, DTW, ATL, BOS, MSP, RDU, SFO, DEN, DFW, IAH and LAX. [I don't use PHL and CLT as a port of entry that much compared to all other airports noted in this post of mine.]
IAD and LHR are most frequently hitting me with the longest wait times, with LHR having not been as bad for as long as IAD has been so very bad.
IAD and LHR are most frequently hitting me with the longest wait times, with LHR having not been as bad for as long as IAD has been so very bad.
I have certainly waited longer at LFK, ORD, and SFO. I have never used the others.
Waiting for luggage is a different story, however.
Jul 29, 2012, 9:21 pm
#22
Formerly known as I_Hate_US_Airways
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Just South Of North
Programs: My Loyalty Programs? I now VOTE with my wallet!!!
Posts: 2,568
It's UA, NOT CBP...
My complaint with IAD is that United SUCKS at getting your bags off their planes!!!
We waited almost an hour & our bags were tags *A Gold. As far as CBP, since I am Nexus, it took a whole 30 seconds to go thru Customs & Immigration. TSA did take another 15 minutes or so & we were in the 1st class like too boot )-:
Bottom line, no more Dulles for us!
We waited almost an hour & our bags were tags *A Gold. As far as CBP, since I am Nexus, it took a whole 30 seconds to go thru Customs & Immigration. TSA did take another 15 minutes or so & we were in the 1st class like too boot )-:
Bottom line, no more Dulles for us!