Quick Question: Do we have to go thru security at DFW after Customs for connection?
Nov 6, 2017, 3:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
Posts: 8,964
Quick Question: Do we have to go thru security at DFW after Customs for connection?
I can't remember...will be connecting at DFW coming from Mexico this morning. Do we have to go through security after we pass customs/immigration or do we exit in a secure zone?
Nov 8, 2017, 9:55 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 124
As a postscript to this thread, when you walk down the hall to customs at DFW and are unlucky enough to be standing behind 3000 people, as I was last Sunday and you happen to have Global Entry, just cruise on over to the side and make trucks for the far end of the customs hall.
I've been in this hallway when staff were like, "hey, you can't cut in line!", but more recently they all seem to be on board with asking you, "Global Entry?" Now that's not to say that I didn't hear a lot of grumbling from the non-GE folks who probably stood in line for three hours...
I cleared customs in about 10-15 minutes, most of that was the time it took me to walk through the customs hall.
I've been in this hallway when staff were like, "hey, you can't cut in line!", but more recently they all seem to be on board with asking you, "Global Entry?" Now that's not to say that I didn't hear a lot of grumbling from the non-GE folks who probably stood in line for three hours...
I cleared customs in about 10-15 minutes, most of that was the time it took me to walk through the customs hall.
Nov 9, 2017, 9:49 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,590
As a postscript to this thread, when you walk down the hall to customs at DFW and are unlucky enough to be standing behind 3000 people, as I was last Sunday and you happen to have Global Entry, just cruise on over to the side and make trucks for the far end of the customs hall.
I've been in this hallway when staff were like, "hey, you can't cut in line!", but more recently they all seem to be on board with asking you, "Global Entry?" Now that's not to say that I didn't hear a lot of grumbling from the non-GE folks who probably stood in line for three hours...
I cleared customs in about 10-15 minutes, most of that was the time it took me to walk through the customs hall.
I've been in this hallway when staff were like, "hey, you can't cut in line!", but more recently they all seem to be on board with asking you, "Global Entry?" Now that's not to say that I didn't hear a lot of grumbling from the non-GE folks who probably stood in line for three hours...
I cleared customs in about 10-15 minutes, most of that was the time it took me to walk through the customs hall.
Nov 9, 2017, 10:04 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Diego
Programs: Plat Pro AAdvantage, but defected to BAEC
Posts: 1,222
As a postscript to this thread, when you walk down the hall to customs at DFW and are unlucky enough to be standing behind 3000 people, as I was last Sunday and you happen to have Global Entry, just cruise on over to the side and make trucks for the far end of the customs hall.
I've been in this hallway when staff were like, "hey, you can't cut in line!", but more recently they all seem to be on board with asking you, "Global Entry?" Now that's not to say that I didn't hear a lot of grumbling from the non-GE folks who probably stood in line for three hours...
I cleared customs in about 10-15 minutes, most of that was the time it took me to walk through the customs hall.
I've been in this hallway when staff were like, "hey, you can't cut in line!", but more recently they all seem to be on board with asking you, "Global Entry?" Now that's not to say that I didn't hear a lot of grumbling from the non-GE folks who probably stood in line for three hours...
I cleared customs in about 10-15 minutes, most of that was the time it took me to walk through the customs hall.
Nov 10, 2017, 12:47 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
To add to the correct answers above its worth pointing out that upon arrival to any US port of entry by air from an international flight (excluding those that have pre-clearance facilities) you will need to claim your checked baggage, drop it off for re-check (after customs/immigration) and re-clear security - this not limited to DFW or flights from Mexico. Some airports have a security checkpoint that's dedicated to for international->domestic connections just after you clear customs/immigration, DFW does not have this though there is a checkpoint quite close to the exit from customs.
Nov 10, 2017, 5:52 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
To add to the correct answers above its worth pointing out that upon arrival to any US port of entry by air from an international flight (excluding those that have pre-clearance facilities) you will need to claim your checked baggage, drop it off for re-check (after customs/immigration) and re-clear security - this not limited to DFW or flights from Mexico. Some airports have a security checkpoint that's dedicated to for international->domestic connections just after you clear customs/immigration, DFW does not have this though there is a checkpoint quite close to the exit from customs.
Nov 10, 2017, 6:33 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: CoUniHound 1K 1MM, AA EXP 2MM, DL Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,625
Don't know if you have PreCheck, but if you do, the first TSA security checkpoint you come to when exiting Customs at does not have a PreCheck line. Walk another couple of minutes past the hotel escalator to the next checkpoint to find the TSA PreCheck line.
Nov 10, 2017, 7:16 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
Programs: IHG Spire, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 2,274
This. The default when you exit customs and recheck your bag and go back upstairs is to go to the right to the nearest checkpoint. Instead, walk to the left (I think it is around D33?) to that checkpoint - it's large and has PRE.
Nov 10, 2017, 10:29 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,252
When all the South America and early morning Mexico/Central America flights come in, it can be a zoo. Monday mornings at like 6 AM in my experience.
That said, GE cuts through that like a hot knife through butter.
That said, GE cuts through that like a hot knife through butter.
Nov 10, 2017, 10:32 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Austin, TX - AUS
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott
Posts: 1,625
DFW customs can also be crowded in the afternoon when flights from Asia and Europe arrive.
Nov 13, 2017, 2:30 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Not sure yet
Programs: Marriott - Lifetime Platinum Premier, AA - CK
Posts: 263
Ive found it hit and miss. Occasionally there is a separate Pre line there, and other times not. What I was told the last time is that they run all passengers through the same line and direct the Pre folks to the belt closest to the escalator.
Nov 13, 2017, 5:15 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco, where else?
Programs: EXP,EX-CK 2.5mm, now lifetime Platinum, ex-UA1K, Marriott- Platinum, Hertz 5*
Posts: 991
Customs isn't the delay for me in the afternoon... it's TSA Precheck Security at D.... last time I only had 40 mins from landing to the next flight at A-16 and when I saw the huge TSA precheck lane and said "I'm missing my connection" a helpful agent told me to catch the terminal bus outside the terminal... I took that to A where there was no line and miraculously made my flight as they were closing the door. It was nerve wracking and I hope never to repeat it, but the terminal bus was not something I would have considered.