MSP international arrivals in November
Jun 11, 2019, 9:38 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LBA
Programs: KLM FB Gold, LH M&M
Posts: 454
MSP international arrivals in November
Travelling AMS-(Delta hub)-LAS in November. Before Thanksgiving, something like 13-20 Nov.
Which is the best Delta hub airport to choose in terms of:
- Immigration lines
- Weather
My options are MSP, DTW and ATL.
MSP seems a good option. I expect Immigration lines may be shorter than ATL, say. But weather in November may be tricky.
Which is the best Delta hub airport to choose in terms of:
- Immigration lines
- Weather
My options are MSP, DTW and ATL.
MSP seems a good option. I expect Immigration lines may be shorter than ATL, say. But weather in November may be tricky.
Jun 11, 2019, 10:35 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAS, MPL
Programs: DL Platinum, 1 MM
Posts: 1,321
Travelling AMS-(Delta hub)-LAS in November. Before Thanksgiving, something like 13-20 Nov.
Which is the best Delta hub airport to choose in terms of:
- Immigration lines
- Weather
My options are MSP, DTW and ATL.
MSP seems a good option. I expect Immigration lines may be shorter than ATL, say. But weather in November may be tricky.
Which is the best Delta hub airport to choose in terms of:
- Immigration lines
- Weather
My options are MSP, DTW and ATL.
MSP seems a good option. I expect Immigration lines may be shorter than ATL, say. But weather in November may be tricky.
. I wouldn't worry, some of us live here (and travel) year round. The immigration lines are typically pretty short. Two weeks ago it took me 20 minutes from the plane to the Uber.
Jun 11, 2019, 12:12 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,626
You don’t say if you have GE. I have good experience at DTW. ATL can be challenging with reclearing security.
Jun 11, 2019, 12:51 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LBA
Programs: KLM FB Gold, LH M&M
Posts: 454
I don't have GE. I am a UK passport holder and will have an ESTA electronic visa.
I recently renewed my passport, so won't be able to use an APC kiosk as this will be my first entry into the USA on a new ESTA.
So I will be queueing up with masses for Immigration. And I will be travelling Economy, one of the last off the plane.
I recently renewed my passport, so won't be able to use an APC kiosk as this will be my first entry into the USA on a new ESTA.
So I will be queueing up with masses for Immigration. And I will be travelling Economy, one of the last off the plane.
Jun 11, 2019, 2:04 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,626
I don't have GE. I am a UK passport holder and will have an ESTA electronic visa.
I recently renewed my passport, so won't be able to use an APC kiosk as this will be my first entry into the USA on a new ESTA.
So I will be queueing up with masses for Immigration. And I will be travelling Economy, one of the last off the plane.
I recently renewed my passport, so won't be able to use an APC kiosk as this will be my first entry into the USA on a new ESTA.
So I will be queueing up with masses for Immigration. And I will be travelling Economy, one of the last off the plane.
How long is the connection?
Jun 11, 2019, 2:14 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LBA
Programs: KLM FB Gold, LH M&M
Posts: 454
But I have 2h30 for the connection, which should be plenty of time.
And as a KLM Gold I will have access to the lounge at MSP.
I think I will give MSP a try. If it goes well, I may decide to pay a visit to the twin cities one day.
Jun 11, 2019, 3:03 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,626
With 2:30 for the connection, I think you have nothing to worry about.
There are 2 lounges at MSP -- one between the F and G concourses (recently renovated, no views), the other in the middle of the C concourse (much as it was when NW built it 20 or 30 years ago). I prefer the environment in C -- but the food may be more abundant/varied in F/G. MSP is spread out, but easy to get around.
As I recall from living in St Paul and making connections more recently, the west coast flights often leave from the mid-to-high G gates. Which are about the same distance from both of the clubs -- although it may seem the C club is more distant. Some of the MSP flyers may have other thoughts.
There are 2 lounges at MSP -- one between the F and G concourses (recently renovated, no views), the other in the middle of the C concourse (much as it was when NW built it 20 or 30 years ago). I prefer the environment in C -- but the food may be more abundant/varied in F/G. MSP is spread out, but easy to get around.
As I recall from living in St Paul and making connections more recently, the west coast flights often leave from the mid-to-high G gates. Which are about the same distance from both of the clubs -- although it may seem the C club is more distant. Some of the MSP flyers may have other thoughts.
Jun 11, 2019, 3:10 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: LHR / BHX / MAN / ATL
Programs: DL DM 2MM - IHG Diamond
Posts: 4,053
MSP is def the easiest port of entry of your choices. Yes, the lines back up at the peak time, but the CBP agents are courteous and the line moves quickly. The TSA agents at recheck are friendly (that statement would be an oxymoron at JFK). You exit security pretty close to the SkyClub between concourses F & G. It is as painless an experience as is possible (for the US) owing somewhat (I believe) to people in that part of the US are just inherently nice.
BTW, while the agents in the SkyClub are friendly and very helpful, don't expect too much from the lounge itself. It is pretty average in the offerings and can get quite crowded in the late afternoon.
BTW, while the agents in the SkyClub are friendly and very helpful, don't expect too much from the lounge itself. It is pretty average in the offerings and can get quite crowded in the late afternoon.
Jun 11, 2019, 3:37 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Full time Nomad
Posts: 842
Coming back from LHR, to MEM, husband went thru ATL, and I went thru MSP ( we departed LHR about the same time). I got thru MSP in 10 minutes, it took him more than 60 minutes in ATL. Son was with us in London, and he lives in Detroit and flew to DTW.. He works for an airline, and often flies back to DTW. It's a great airport. I am not a fan of ATL. Just my 2 cents.. MSP was great.
Last edited by stan1162; Jun 11, 2019 at 3:51 pm
Jun 11, 2019, 4:15 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, 1MM
Posts: 3,784
I don't have GE. I am a UK passport holder and will have an ESTA electronic visa.
I recently renewed my passport, so won't be able to use an APC kiosk as this will be my first entry into the USA on a new ESTA.
So I will be queueing up with masses for Immigration. And I will be travelling Economy, one of the last off the plane.
I recently renewed my passport, so won't be able to use an APC kiosk as this will be my first entry into the USA on a new ESTA.
So I will be queueing up with masses for Immigration. And I will be travelling Economy, one of the last off the plane.
Jun 12, 2019, 7:20 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
Jun 12, 2019, 5:15 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, 1MM
Posts: 3,784
A little additional information, relevant to this thread, gleaned from a meeting I attended this morning:
Increasing categories of passengers can use the kiosks, including ESTA, visa holders, green card holders, etc.
The future of travel screening, for the airlines and CBP, is biometric facial recognition; biometrics will eventually replace the current CBP kiosks. The airlines will initiate this change first, then CBP will follow when the airlines are fully utilizing the technology. This is no longer in the hazy future; it’s coming soon.
There is a national shortage of CBP officers. Staffing levels at individual airports, including MSP, fluctuate as officers are temporarily assigned for up to 60 days to the US southern border.
Increasing categories of passengers can use the kiosks, including ESTA, visa holders, green card holders, etc.
The future of travel screening, for the airlines and CBP, is biometric facial recognition; biometrics will eventually replace the current CBP kiosks. The airlines will initiate this change first, then CBP will follow when the airlines are fully utilizing the technology. This is no longer in the hazy future; it’s coming soon.
There is a national shortage of CBP officers. Staffing levels at individual airports, including MSP, fluctuate as officers are temporarily assigned for up to 60 days to the US southern border.