lonelygod

Planned a mileage run tomorrow to Maui and immediately head back to mainland, probably even on the same aircraft.

In Safe Travels profile, I skipped the lodging info and it seems to be fine. I’m wondering after I arrive OGG, I just need to get off the plane, wait at the gate, then board-again for the new flight, so no pre-clear wristband needed? Thanks!

anteater

The airport personnel / National Guard are supposed to clear everyone who disembarks the aircraft. Your plan may work, but more than likely they will require you to submit to the process, even if to stay at the gate. The wrist band would make that process much smoother! 🤙🏻

imaflyertalkuserwow

No wristband needed.

The checkpoint where they check your wristband or scan your QR isn’t at the gates. There’s sometimes NG personnel monitoring a thermal camera that checks temps of those getting off the plane. You’ll have no interaction with them unless you have a fever.

After leaving the gate area, there are airport personnel and signs directing you where to go. Just get off the plane and take a seat in the boarding area while they heard the cattle away from the gate or turn the opposite way from the direction of baggage claim and go about your business. If one of the staff directs you a certain way, comply and exit the roped lanes at the first break. It’s not a big deal as you’re not attempting to pass through the checkpoint and they understand people need to do things like use the restroom, etc before leaving.

safe travels

philemer

I thought the crew & plane spent the night in Maui and flew out the next day. No?

NoLaGent

I can't speak to the crew situation, but tomorrow that aircraft operates SFO-OGG-SEA.

If departing on the SJC flight, it operates SJC-OGG-SFO.

imaflyertalkuserwow

There’s 2x SAN, 1x PDX, and 1x SFO flights turn & burn with return legs 1hr later. NoLa is right about tomorrow’s SFO flight, so they’re not actually turn & burn. Must be another aircraft, but the timing lines up to hop off one and board another shortly after.

anteater

Hawaii is one of the states that has been serious about enforcing its entry requirements (eg fines and jail time). Whatever OP decides to do, I hope it works out.

The safest course of action is likely just to pre clear or proceed through the queue upon arrival. Trying to avoid it will likely draw suspicion, and it would be a shame to miss one’s return flight! 🥸

imaflyertalkuserwow

The checkpoint is when you leave the terminal. OP doesn’t need to leave the terminal for their return flight. This is not a case of skirting or violating any rules. I was in Maui in March and will be there again later this week. I promise this is how it works.

bmvaughn

Emphasis added. Just because it was that way in March, or even yesterday... wouldn't be worth a MR risk of getting stopped. YMMV

imaflyertalkuserwow

Stopped where? Between adjacent gates 13 and 15?

MightyTravels

Just FYI in HNL there are checkpoints between the outer terminals (i.e. the United Terminal has one) before you can enter the main terminal area. So immediate turnaround would work (using the same United plane not using any other airport facilities outside that terminal). Also in Hawaii you can always end the quarantine prematurely and leave the state via the airport (no imprisonment like in AU/NZ).

mtofell

From my experience, plane yes, crew no. The PDX/SEA>OGG flights I do usually use the same plane but swap in a different crew. A few months ago I flew over on an AM flight and was on Maui for about 24 hours. The crew heading back for the early afternoon departure the next day was the same one I flew over with. The aircraft was different.

As for OP's question - You shouldn't have any problems. All the focus is on people leaving the airport. Once you get off the plane you are a departing passenger. I've flown into OGG roughly 20X in the last year and the engagement from people enforcing the rules is steadily declining. At the start of Covid there were a dozen+ people checking things. Last time (a couple weeks ago) there was a NG guy kind of watching people's temps and one lone person standing at the top of the escalators (to get out of the airport) trying to see everyone's wristbands but he couldn't keep up and people were streaming by unchecked. If you're not leaving the terminal I'm not sure what anyone posting here thinks could happen. The whole point is to keep infected or non-tested people off the island and you're leaving the island. If anyone says anything just tell them you are a departing passenger and you'll be allowed to go where you need to.

OGG really only has one terminal (single TSA checkpoint) but it is kind of split into two separate areas - lower gate #s on one side, higher on the other. I want to say the "continental divide" is around #19 but am guessing. Usually AS flys out of the higher number end but a few times recently I've been on the lower #s (rubbing elbows with Southwest folks.... ew ). If you have time, don't bother with the Hawaiian Lounge... it's terrible. The obligatory bar in the higher number terminal is decent for a quick drink. I think there is a Starbucks there too. Sammy Hagar's bar in the pseudo food-court is okay as well. There is also a Burger King and a hot dog joint but they are usually pretty crowded.

pcoll

Flying today -OGG.
Thanks for the overview of terminal and recommendations for food. , thank you for reminding me how mediocre lounges in OGG are. (Forgot) It has been 5 years since last visit. AS has spoiled us with lounges 🏝Aloha!

lonelygod

Report back… Everything was smooth, hop off the plane and sit at the gate area for 30 minutes and now at the same seat back to Bay Area. Thanks everyone for your knowledge! If you can find some last minute U spaces both directions, and have some time to kill, OGG is not a bad choice!

ual744777sta

I've done to MRs to OGG during the Pandemic. I did preclear for both just for the heck of it. But one time my test results weren't ready in time and I told the gate agent I was just turning right back and the agent said it was fine and let me go.