Failure to claim checked bag
 

I have a flight coming up with a 90 minute connection in MSP - from international to domestic. If my incoming flight is late and I risk missing my connection, can I save time by not collecting my checked bag and avoiding customs wait? If so, what will happen to the bag?

You really have to pick up your bag. That will be seen as a security risk and they probably will check to see where you are connecting and not let you on that flight. Do not do this to the other passengers and hold up a whole plane because you don't want to miss your flight.

You may end up saving time or you may end up having gotten yourself into a situation that takes up a lot more of your time on this entry to the US and even perhaps on future ones.

Some people do forget/"forget" that they had a checked bag when coming into the US from a non-US airport (i.e. speaking of those that don't have customs pre-clearance) and make it to their next flight just fine. However, DHS/CBP also knows that you had a checked bag on the flight arriving into MSP and may find it suspicious that you are trying to leave the customs hall without the bag you checked. If they discover that before you leave the baggage claim hall, it could well result in far more of a delay than just waiting for your bag yourself and re-checking it in for the next flight.

I suggest waiting for your bag and then re-checking it in just beyond customs control. If you happen to miss your connecting flight due to late incoming flight and/or delay in baggage making it to the belt, DL will work with rescheduling your trip.

It's highly unlikely in any given situation of the sort the OP mentioned that the OP's considered approach would hold up a whole plane of other passengers.

I am MSP based - and fly Int'l quite a bit.

It's been my experience that both Immigration and Int'l baggage delivery in MSP is relatively speedy compared with my experience at other entry points (ATL, JFK etc.), however, YMMV.

90 minutes - assuming you get the full 90 - should be quite feasible.

At MSP this shouldn't be a problem.

I have done that at least once with no consequences other than I had to go to the airport to pick up my bag at my final destination. I did it for the same reason you are considering it. I would have missed my flight if I had waited. I reported what happened when I arrived at my destination, the bag came later that day or the next day and I picked it up the next day. Separated luggage happens all the time, just not usually voluntarily.

In all my international arrivals, I have never seen anyone at customs compare my belongings in my possession to any "list" they have of checked luggage. I hand my blue and white customs card to them, "Welcome back" and I leave. I am sure it is in their system to know, but in reality, I have never, ever seen them check your baggage against any list.

Agree you shouldn't have a problem in MSP - the walk to Customs/immigration is short, the lines move fairly quickly and by the time you finish this, your bag should be waiting for you to pick up, exit and recheck. You should be okay.

My friend literally forgot/neglected to do it (he seldom travels int'l). He had no issues, got his bag a few days later.

Most people arriving into the US won't see it happen because of how it is done -- even those with many hundreds of arrival are generally unaware of what does occur and with what frequency.

Some people do get flagged for additional customs screening where the customs declaration form is ordinarily turned in -- it's from there that the risk of an issue arising starts to rise substantially -- particulrarly so if the search is for more than a quick "ag" inspection for biological products of the relevant sort.

Also, it's not unheard of for someone waiting at the baggage belt for several minutes to try to leave and then getting themselves flagged by leaving without having claimed any luggage from the baggage belt.

Happen to me once in ATL. When the GA scanned my BP, the system alerted her that my bags weren't checked yet for that flight... Quite embarrassing, it held up boarding for some 5 minutes..

First, I would NOT recommend this.

Secondly, I appreciate your concerns re delays, and I have never flown intl into MSP, but i would have thought that even with a small delay, 90 mins should be fine.

All I will say, off the record, is that Mrs TATL once (genuinely :rolleyes: / sigh ) forgot to collect 1 out of 2 bags at ATL. On arrival at US final destination there was (obviously...) nothing for her at the reclaim, and so lodged a claim/request. The dear lady lady later reaslised what she had (not) done, but bag was delivered the next day.

I would recommend collecting your bag and doing the best you can, taking a later plane if you are totally delayed. Same as everyone else does.....

Deliberately monkeying with the system just seems unwise. :td:

I agree. If you do miss your connection you will be re-accommodated - no need to worry. (I've missed several connections in DTW due to long immigration lines.)

Technically speaking, this is against the law. That being said, it won't delay a flight or cause you to be pulled off. However, there are other repercussions that you potentially subject yourself to by doing this. For security reasons I cannot discuss them on a public board.

If you don't exit Customs with your bag, the very least you can expect is that US Customs agents will go through your things to look for "whatever". I was separated from my bags for 12 days during the snowmageddon in Europe. (CDG in particular) When I got my bags at home later, they had gone through them. I had bought 12 kilos of my favorite coffee while in Paris, and they sliced open one of the bags - they actually cut open the bag in one direction, fouund that there are 2 "bricks" in each package, then sliced it in the other direction exposing my coffee. They didn't seal it up at all, and coffee got all over my clothes and things. It could have been worse, but it was a pain. No note inside (like the TSA leaves when they open your bags) - NOTHING!! :mad: