Connecting in JFK
 

Hi all - does anyone know if we arrive in JFK on AA from SXM to connect to QR to DOH will we have to clear customs and immigration or will be able to go through a transit channel?
Thanks W

There is no such thing as transit in the USA. You will clear US immigration, retrieve your bag, carry it through Customs and then drop it off and then head for your QR flight (after re-clearing Security).

If you are not a USN, make certain that you have met all visa and other requirements for entry into the US.

As a practical matter, you may find less scrutiny because of your abbreviated stay.

Thanks Often1 - but that was the news I was dreading - have a three hour connection time but really do not trust immigration at Terminal 8 have been caught there before with 2 hour processing of immigration........decisions decisions...

I don't think you need to worry too much. 3 hours gives you plenty of time and if something would happen that would require you to go faster through security you can always wave, scream, shout and jump in the air at the same time and they will move you towards the front of the lane. :-) We needed to do that in the past as well...

OP - Just want to make sure that you are on one ticket SXM-DOH.

If this is multiple tickets, do not even think about it. If you are a non-USN, have checked luggage and do not have GE, three hours can be awfully tight.

Are the Oneworld Global Assist agents active in the AA terminal? I've been a beneficiary of their service at JFK, but only in the BA terminal when connecting to an AA domestic service.

They should be. But that would only trigger if there was a likely issue with the connection. They'd also need to know it was a connection, ie, both flights on the same ticket.

Unfortunately 2 seperate tickets, neither are US citizens, so.... The flight from SXM is due to land at 19h20 and the flight to DOH departs at 22h20. Is there usually a heavy arrival load around that time - does anyone know? My other concern is that it is February, so never know about weather delays in JFK.
Think I should rather find an alternative.

Well, fwiw a poster in another thread said he had a letter from someone at OW asserting that OW airlines will protect your connection even on separate tickets. (assuming in and outbound are both OW carriers of course). I asked the poster to share a copy of his correspondence to have something to wave at an agent who wasn't aware of that rule but haven't heard back.

Hi all - thanks for the response - JohnAx thanks for that - will be helpful if s/he sends it.

You can check historic wait times at immigration here:
http://awt.cbp.gov/

Calculate the max wait time at the AA terminal (as a non citizen without global entry this is not unlikely) of around 30 to around 100 minutes.
Add the time to retrieve your luggage, go thru customs,
Consider that you need to drop your luggage before the cutoff time (not sure how long before the flight departs) or make your way to the QR check in and check in before their cut off.

3 hours seem to be doable, but don't leave much room for things to go wrong.

Thanks Unterwegs

Since AA is involved, there is a published policy - and with QR being *O the OP would be protected.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...d-tickets.html

Thanks Serfty