Originally Posted by
hchong
Hi! I'm writing to ask for advice on how to connect my two flights at DFW. My first flight is coming from international (Arrive at 5pm Saturday at terminal D) and the second is domestic (departure at terminal A). The connection time for me is 85 min.
I understand that I have to go through the custom, and then security. My question is how to proceed in a possibly fastest way. I'll print out my boarding passes in advance and there is no "global entry" or "TSA precheck" option for me. But I don't have checked luggage and I guess that'll save me some time.
Having no checked luggage will absolutely save you a ton of time. DFW immigration has lines specifically for people with no checked baggage that allow you to bypass the baggage reclaim area and the customs lines. Look for the signs directly as you enter the immigration area. This will pop you out of immigration/customs in a different location from everyone else.
Specifically I'd like to know:
1. Can I go through the security check at terminal D, even though my boarding pass says my flight takes off at terminal A? I'm asking this as I heard that taking the skylink is faster than the shuttle, is that true?
Yes, you can and should clear security at Terminal D, and then take the Skylink to your next terminal (check once you enter terminal D to make sure your gate hasn't changed).
2. Normally on Saturday 5-6pm, do any of you possibly know which security check has shorter queue?
If you get to go though the no checked baggage line, when you pop out there, to the left will be the exit from customs. One level above that will be the normal security checkpoint everyone uses (D22). This is the one most likely to have the longest lines. Instead of clearing there, I usually walk past the Grand Hyatt to the security checkpoint at D30 and typically find the lines there fairly empty. Note all the security checkpoints will be one level above where you exit immigration/customs.