How about Int'l transit luggage?
Feb 5, 2012, 3:14 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Japan
Posts: 5,577
How about Int'l transit luggage?
Violated my own pledge never again to begin a T/A out of Germany, but had little choice on this award trip. Doing FRA-ORD-NRT, I know I need to go through Immi at ORD ( GE ), do I need to pick up luggage as well and go through Customs or is International transit luggage treated differently than domestic?
Feb 5, 2012, 3:30 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 3,424
Violated my own pledge never again to begin a T/A out of Germany, but had little choice on this award trip. Doing FRA-ORD-NRT, I know I need to go through Immi at ORD ( GE ), do I need to pick up luggage as well and go through Customs or is International transit luggage treated differentlyi than domestic?
Feb 5, 2012, 8:21 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,309
Feb 5, 2012, 8:38 am
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
ORD doesn't. There's no such thing as transit. You either enter the USA or you don't. Whether you are destined for Chicago as your final destination, a US domestic destination as a connection or another intl. destination as a connection, you are treated roughly the same.
Feb 5, 2012, 10:42 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,309
All I am saying is that at MIA and IAH - you DO NOT have to pick up luggage if going intl->intl. It was expected to be rolled out across more airports, but I am pretty sure it hasnt - just asking for confirmation.
Feb 5, 2012, 11:26 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
It hasn't and it's all about architecture. Very few airports have the space, design and are willing to meet the cost requirements associated with creating a secure transit zone for luggage, the credentialing for employees with access and associated logistics issues. MIA and IAH are very dependent on TPAC / TATL to Latin America and the the space and money considerations are more than made up for by the efficiency (shorter connection time). Other than Canada (where intl. feature would only matter on the ORD-Canada segment because of pre-clearance on the inbound) would be interesting to know the volume of intl-intl. connections at other large intl. hubs such as JFK, IAD, ORD, SFO, LAX.
Feb 5, 2012, 7:12 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Japan
Posts: 5,577
Well, I better don't use the GE line then. As far as I know the smalled violation triggers cancellation of privileges. I have tons of food that I am bringing home to Japan and some of it is not allowed into the U.S., like wonderful Prosciutto ham. Hope I don't run into problems.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Feb 5, 2012 at 7:48 pm Reason: merge