Connecting DFW AA international to domestic: wrong route to customs
Feb 17, 2019, 7:22 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX Diamond, BA Gold, *A Silver, Accor Diamond
Posts: 345
Connecting DFW AA international to domestic: wrong route to customs
I’m not a frequent traveller through DFW but I connected from an international to a domestic flight there today. I have Global Entry so I went to the far (left-hand) end of Terminal D’s CBP area and filled in the form at the kiosk, handed it to the CBP officer who waved me on and I followed two travellers (not travelling with me) with carryons out; we turned left after the CBP officer, into a small corridor and elevator down where I asked if this was the way to Baggage Claim and they assured me it was but I’d have to go down one more floor from the Departures floor that we got off the elevator at down to Arrivals. I did that...and found myself outside the Internationsl Arrivals baggage claim and, of course, unable to get into it. They’d clearly meant Domestic Baggage Claim!
Eventually, with the help of an AA agent, I found my way back to just outside the International Baggage area and one of the agents there called inside and asked the person they spoke to to clear the bag through customs and send it to my domestic flight. Very helpful and she seemed to know what she was doing but whether it makes it or not we will see. I can manage without it if necessary and the staff at the AA Club say they’ll forward it on to me if it doesn’t get on the same plane as I do.
My question really is whether this has ever happened to anyone else? The two American passengers I went in the elevator with seemed to know exactly what they were doing and I vaguely remember seeing a small sign saying hand-Baggage route pointing that way (I had no idea what that was at the time but I think I do now!). But for an arriving passenger on a plane for 14 hours who hasn’t been to DFW for a while, I wonder if I’m the only person ever to make this mistake! The bag will find me I’m sure, either in the US or back home but clearly I’ll have to pay more attention to my surroundings at unfamiliar airports when what are meant to be helpful improvements are made!
Eventually, with the help of an AA agent, I found my way back to just outside the International Baggage area and one of the agents there called inside and asked the person they spoke to to clear the bag through customs and send it to my domestic flight. Very helpful and she seemed to know what she was doing but whether it makes it or not we will see. I can manage without it if necessary and the staff at the AA Club say they’ll forward it on to me if it doesn’t get on the same plane as I do.
My question really is whether this has ever happened to anyone else? The two American passengers I went in the elevator with seemed to know exactly what they were doing and I vaguely remember seeing a small sign saying hand-Baggage route pointing that way (I had no idea what that was at the time but I think I do now!). But for an arriving passenger on a plane for 14 hours who hasn’t been to DFW for a while, I wonder if I’m the only person ever to make this mistake! The bag will find me I’m sure, either in the US or back home but clearly I’ll have to pay more attention to my surroundings at unfamiliar airports when what are meant to be helpful improvements are made!
Feb 17, 2019, 7:36 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
I’m not a frequent traveller through DFW but I connected from an international to a domestic flight there today. I have Global Entry so I went to the far (left-hand) end of Terminal D’s CBP area and filled in the form at the kiosk, handed it to the CBP officer who waved me on and I followed two travellers (not travelling with me) with carryons out; we turned left after the CBP officer, into a small corridor and elevator down where I asked if this was the way to Baggage Claim and they assured me it was but I’d have to go down one more floor from the Departures floor that we got off the elevator at down to Arrivals. I did that...and found myself outside the Internationsl Arrivals baggage claim and, of course, unable to get into it. They’d clearly meant Domestic Baggage Claim!
Eventually, with the help of an AA agent, I found my way back to just outside the International Baggage area and one of the agents there called inside and asked the person they spoke to to clear the bag through customs and send it to my domestic flight. Very helpful and she seemed to know what she was doing but whether it makes it or not we will see. I can manage without it if necessary and the staff at the AA Club say they’ll forward it on to me if it doesn’t get on the same plane as I do.
My question really is whether this has ever happened to anyone else? The two American passengers I went in the elevator with seemed to know exactly what they were doing and I vaguely remember seeing a small sign saying hand-Baggage route pointing that way (I had no idea what that was at the time but I think I do now!). But for an arriving passenger on a plane for 14 hours who hasn’t been to DFW for a while, I wonder if I’m the only person ever to make this mistake! The bag will find me I’m sure, either in the US or back home but clearly I’ll have to pay more attention to my surroundings at unfamiliar airports when what are meant to be helpful improvements are made!
Eventually, with the help of an AA agent, I found my way back to just outside the International Baggage area and one of the agents there called inside and asked the person they spoke to to clear the bag through customs and send it to my domestic flight. Very helpful and she seemed to know what she was doing but whether it makes it or not we will see. I can manage without it if necessary and the staff at the AA Club say they’ll forward it on to me if it doesn’t get on the same plane as I do.
My question really is whether this has ever happened to anyone else? The two American passengers I went in the elevator with seemed to know exactly what they were doing and I vaguely remember seeing a small sign saying hand-Baggage route pointing that way (I had no idea what that was at the time but I think I do now!). But for an arriving passenger on a plane for 14 hours who hasn’t been to DFW for a while, I wonder if I’m the only person ever to make this mistake! The bag will find me I’m sure, either in the US or back home but clearly I’ll have to pay more attention to my surroundings at unfamiliar airports when what are meant to be helpful improvements are made!
Feb 18, 2019, 3:21 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX Diamond, BA Gold, *A Silver, Accor Diamond
Posts: 345
Got it - and I agree, it’s really very fast to get out.
The good news is that my bag made it to the next flight without incident - even though I’d ‘forgotten’ it - credit to AA for good and helpful service.
The good news is that my bag made it to the next flight without incident - even though I’d ‘forgotten’ it - credit to AA for good and helpful service.
Feb 19, 2019, 2:40 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: DFW/PHL
Programs: US CP, UA *G; SPG Plat, Hilton Gold; Natl Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 623
Usually this isn't an issue as both the CBP officer in that left-side GE lane as well as the "hand carry" attendant who sits just before the "elevator hallway" (normally it's staffed both at the top and the bottom) ask you the same question with regards to "no checked baggage?" so it's it's entirely possible that if these two positions didn't ask, you would find yourself land side after taking the elevator. Using that service quite often, I absolutely love it given how quickly you can make it through the checkpoint to the left of the elevator exit.
BTW, unclaimed luggage is eventually brought to domestic D baggage claim.
Feb 20, 2019, 7:19 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: DFW/PHL
Programs: US CP, UA *G; SPG Plat, Hilton Gold; Natl Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 623
One final note - I asked the CBP officer yesterday and the express exit closes at 6PM.
I suspect unclaimed luggage would have to make its way to the baggage claim office in every airport, which is typically beyond Customs landside.
I suspect unclaimed luggage would have to make its way to the baggage claim office in every airport, which is typically beyond Customs landside.