Return via EWR or IAD?
Jun 25, 2015, 10:54 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: UK
Programs: UA Gold/Platinum Marriott Gold Elite, HHonors Blue, SA Gold
Posts: 38
UK flyer here, on a P1 visa and also have ESTA
as i have both i cant use GE, or the machines. IAD - frustrating, long queues, very warm.
EWR - always been quick, friendly agents.
HTH
as i have both i cant use GE, or the machines. IAD - frustrating, long queues, very warm.
EWR - always been quick, friendly agents.
HTH
Jun 26, 2015, 1:43 am
#17
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Programs: UA 1P 1MM, IHG Plat, HH Silver, DB BahnComfort
Posts: 332
I agree that EWR is a much nicer airport, once you get past security. On the other hand, I have the impression that you more often have delays due to heavy (air) traffic at EWR, especially outbound ("UA xxx, you are number 13 for departure").
Still, to the OP: If you provide us with some more specific details, we can probably give a better answer. All of the above answers are correct: the posters have experienced EWR and IAD at various times during the day. And that makes a huge difference.
Still, to the OP: If you provide us with some more specific details, we can probably give a better answer. All of the above answers are correct: the posters have experienced EWR and IAD at various times during the day. And that makes a huge difference.
Jun 26, 2015, 2:50 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Programs: United Gold
Posts: 2,050
Return via EWR or IAD
I don't fly as much as others here do, but I think you're asking the wrong question. Generally the government employees for these tasks are about identical.
However what really matters are things like how many planes landing around the same time, organization and flow of the space, etc.
For my money, I'd probably pick IAD. But then again I wouldn't choose an entry point based on any of this ;-)
However what really matters are things like how many planes landing around the same time, organization and flow of the space, etc.
For my money, I'd probably pick IAD. But then again I wouldn't choose an entry point based on any of this ;-)
Jun 26, 2015, 5:09 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 1,370
Question -- if you have Global Entry (which comes with Precheck), and you are connecting at IAD, then why not go out into the main terminal and then use the Precheck lane to get back into the gate area? This could be faster than the non-Precheck process in the midfield terminal.
Jun 26, 2015, 5:32 pm
#21
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Question -- if you have Global Entry (which comes with Precheck), and you are connecting at IAD, then why not go out into the main terminal and then use the Precheck lane to get back into the gate area? This could be faster than the non-Precheck process in the midfield terminal.
But, this has also arisen in other threads. You have no way of knowing about delays at the IAB, at Pre-Check or other vagaries of the IAD transport system. Those can easily add more time to your journey than simply standing in line at Midfield. This is especially if you are connecting onto a flight departing from the higher C gates.
Jun 26, 2015, 7:10 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Programs: UA PM, DL PM, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 1,295
No TSA precheck has me avoid IAD. No matter how bad things get, precheck that security is not a reason I miss a flight at EWR. I have no idea why IAD has no TSA precheck at INTL arrivals.
Jun 26, 2015, 7:17 pm
#23
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
IAD only lacks Pre-Check at the Midfield terminal. The easy answer to your question though is, where would you put it? I'm not an architecht, but it seems to me that every square inch of space out there is used for something. So something would have to give.
Jun 26, 2015, 7:40 pm
#24
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,590
Personally I think there is room for a third line - premier / tsa precheck - they already have the metal detectors there - it's about managing the line design better - right now there are two lines - both dysfunctional in design....
Jun 27, 2015, 5:02 am
#25
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,931
Question -- if you have Global Entry (which comes with Precheck), and you are connecting at IAD, then why not go out into the main terminal and then use the Precheck lane to get back into the gate area? This could be faster than the non-Precheck process in the midfield terminal.
I was in midfield recheck for 50 minutes yesterday at 1600 hours....
Jun 27, 2015, 6:33 am
#26
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 58,297
If I were arriving in the U.S. with no checked baggage, IAD would unquestionably be my choice. The renovated IAB is twice the size of the old facility and pre-check in the main terminal rarely has a sizable line. Checked baggage? I would avoid IAD like the plague, thanks to the horrid midfield concourse that United and the MWAA refuse to replace.
Jun 27, 2015, 8:31 am
#27
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
IAD never really bothered me for intl arrivals, but the connections were from GRU, KWI and DXB and thus, the arrivals hall was pretty empty. Best to try to beat the arrival banks, because timing is every-thing at both. Another consideration, depending on the connection time, is that I've also found the UA clubs at IAD to be less congested than those at EWR, with the exception being the evenings when the flights to Europe are departing.
Jun 27, 2015, 3:15 pm
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 78
Return via EWR or IAD?
Thanks for all of the input.
Here are more details if people have other pieces of advice.
I'm flying MCO - HAM. So, the top options are MCO-EWR-HAM, or, MCO-IAD-FRA-HAM. And then reverse the routing for the return.
My wife is a Green Card holder, so, GE/pre-check aren't options (i'll be going through the immigration line with her and our toddler).
I'm avoiding the codeshare with LH because of a past issue (the UA system screwed up my booking and neither airline wanted to take ownership of correcting the problem).
Our plan is to travel in December, so I may look at IAH due to the possibility of weather conflicts in the north east.
All input is appreciated.
Here are more details if people have other pieces of advice.
I'm flying MCO - HAM. So, the top options are MCO-EWR-HAM, or, MCO-IAD-FRA-HAM. And then reverse the routing for the return.
My wife is a Green Card holder, so, GE/pre-check aren't options (i'll be going through the immigration line with her and our toddler).
I'm avoiding the codeshare with LH because of a past issue (the UA system screwed up my booking and neither airline wanted to take ownership of correcting the problem).
Our plan is to travel in December, so I may look at IAH due to the possibility of weather conflicts in the north east.
All input is appreciated.