quickest entry into the USA at IAD
#1
Original Poster

Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: new united nobody
Posts: 165
quickest entry into the USA at IAD
made it off the plane, through immigrations, got luggage, through customs, and security check in less than 30 minutes yesterday at 3pm. it was my lucky day, since my upgrade IAD_BOS had cleared as well. (got a text msg.)
the wine was undrinkable though, and the toilet on the 757 smelled worse than any public toilet i have every cycled by in ams.
the wine was undrinkable though, and the toilet on the 757 smelled worse than any public toilet i have every cycled by in ams.
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: D.R.E.A.D. Gold card holder
Posts: 53,185
#4
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: VA, USA
Programs: Marriott LTT, United Club Life Member, UA *S
Posts: 995
I didn't time it, but I know our best was under 10 minutes from door open to the C7 RCC. We were seated close to the door; we were at gate C1 or C2; we were the first flight arriving in the early afternoon so the FIS area was completely clear of traffic; no checked bags; so each stop (immigration, customs, TSA security) took less than a minute.
Hasn't happened again since....
Hasn't happened again since....
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ravens Country
Programs: UA-1K, Marriott-Gold, SPG-Gold, IC RA/Plat, Amtrak Select
Posts: 3,887
Midfield is hit for miss at IAD if you arrive before 2:00 there will be no wait but anything between 2:15-3:15 there will be a long wait as most of the EU flights and the NRT flight lands then.
I am not going to start with the IAB during those times.
I am not going to start with the IAB during those times.
#6




Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York, London, Sydney
Programs: United GS/2MM, DL*P, VS*G, AA*EXP, Avis CHM, Hertz Platinum, Sixt*D, HH*D, HGP*P, Starwood*P
Posts: 9,879
I've done IAD in under 5 minutes before. Coming out of F at C1 I believe, into midfield immigration, no line, US passport, no checked bags. Great stuff, when it works. I've also taken 90+ mins.
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Del Ray, Alexandria, Virginia
Programs: KE Skypass, Morning Calm
Posts: 1,655
I'm guessing these quick transits don't include having to ride the moon buggies. Unfortunately my Korean Air flights always entail this on the return trip, even though we arrive at Terminal B. Still, so far I'm averaging about 30 minutes from arrival at the gate through exiting the customs area (including checked luggage), which is far better than my average times at JFK or ORD.
#8


Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Europe
Programs: UA:1K MM, AF:FB-Platinum; QR: PC Platinum, FI: Saga Gold
Posts: 3,181
ANA from Tokyo
My quickest entry was less than 10 minutes. I arrived on the ANA flight at around 10 a.m. in the morning - no other international arrival. There was 1 mobil-lounge for F & J passengers that left before a second came to pick up Y pax. Arrived at Immigration with lots of booths open and was the first in one of them. No bags.
Even as a United 1K, I picked the ANA flight to avoid the afternoon madness.
Even as a United 1K, I picked the ANA flight to avoid the afternoon madness.
#9
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: BA blue, LH Senator, KQ (FB) gold
Posts: 8,214

