Customs Confusion
May 12, 2008 | 1:17 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: TAS
Programs: A3*G, UA 1K
Posts: 9,250
Yes. The 2-hour check-in advice applies to the first flight taken on the international itinerary, even if it's a domestic connection to the int'l gateway. It's at this first check-in where they'll tag your checked bag to the final destination and more importantly where they'll scan your passport and check any other required travel documents (which it sounds like doesn't apply to you), so that's where they want the extra time if necessary.
May 12, 2008 | 4:38 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Nothing - I'm useless!
Posts: 2,441
I think you just hit a bad day. EWR's inbound customs and immigration is usually one of the quickest one's I've been through. 15-20 minutes to get through immigration, pick up my bag (if I'm carrying one) and to walk out the front door. I've never (in over 15 inbound international flights last year) had it take more than 30 minutes.