Etihad + Precleareance at AUH
May 18, 2016, 8:58 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 6
Pretty easy, in order to get to the US-gates you need to go through an extra security screening followed by US-immigration (just like it would be in the US, including 2 Global Entry terminals). You cannot get out of this area anymore. There is a small (usually crowded) business lounge in pre-clearance area. Good thing is that you arrive in SFO like a domestic flight, you just walk out of the airport, that's it!
May 19, 2016, 10:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 153
It is a pretty effortless process, especially if you have Global Entry. I had the dreaded SSSS and I was still through security and customs in minutes. There were only a couple Global Entry kiosks but people moved through quick. The area was decently staffed for a the night flight block. The post customs lounge is a bit lackluster but functional.
May 20, 2016, 8:14 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,309
my experience is different.
I got the SSSS when leaving AUH for the States multiple times. I dreaded it. But each time this meant that they put me in my own security line - all the way to the right in the hall - and I was through more quickly than if I was using the normal First/Business/Priority Line. I didn't mind it one bit.
May 20, 2016, 6:24 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Happily living in Frenaros Cyprus having escaped the near-death experience called Sofia Bulgaria
Programs: Etihad Guest Gold, DL FO and 1MM, and a bunch of others at a low level
Posts: 2,052
My experience was the same as jasondc's. I expected the worst and it was a piece of cake. This was November 2015.
May 20, 2016, 9:49 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: HKG
Programs: AA 3MM EXP, SQ Solitaire, LH SEN, CX DM, Hyatt CC, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,179
just went through yesterday and got SSSS... took about 10 mins waiting for the people in front of me to go through, but the actual process was really fast... there were not many people when I went through for the JFK flight..
May 22, 2016, 8:18 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 19
Just recently saw that Etihad is a PreCheck partnered airline so is there any PC lines for the extra security screening or is it typcial UAE security procedures? Realistically when the new F lounge opens, how much time with a F pax with GE need to get to the gate in time for boarding on the early AM JFK-bound flight? Thanks
May 22, 2016, 8:42 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
Vishal We do this trip twice a year. Very easy.If you have to kill more than 1.5 hours visit the main lounge first. Better all around. At destination you disembark like a domestic pax and pick up luggage in the domestic area. Take advantage of the chauffer service at both ends.
May 24, 2016, 7:56 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
May 24, 2016, 8:58 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,631
Does that choice make sense to you? Carry a kilo of heroin, let your friend clear customs in AUH but don't clear it yourself, hand him/her the heroin on the plane. Nice work if you can get it, but you can't.
May 25, 2016, 2:13 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 125
Yes in retrospect I'm not sure why I couldn't get my brain wrapped around it.