Can someone else pick up my bag? {Arriving international at SFO}
Mar 19, 2018, 10:05 am
#16
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SQ should be check the bag through to LAX per *A rules on separate tickets. If the OP bag(s) are checked through then they'll make it eventually. All they need to do is to file a missing/delayed bag report at SFO with whatever extra CBP paperwork is needed and UA will send it along.
Mar 19, 2018, 10:16 am
#17
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I am aware of the process, have done multiple international-domestic transfers in the US. The question was solely about the check-in bags. I know well that I have a high chance of missing the flight to LAX, and have backup plans if that is the case. A tight layover isn't ideal, but in this case it's the only option for getting to LAX without overnighting; and I'm willing to risk it.
Mar 19, 2018, 10:22 am
#18
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I actually once forgot to pick up my bag from the carousel (no connection). I had done multiple international trips with just a carry on, and this once I needed to check an additional bag. I was about to hop in a cab when I remembered and ran back in to the baggage claim office. They couldn't get me back into the customs area, but they did send someone with my passport and BP to go get it. I had to wait about an hour, but a UA agent did bring it out with no problems. Unlike the OP, I had Global Entry and a US passport, so that likely helped. From UA's willingness to intercede, my being in J and 1K status may have helped as well.
My situation was a blunder on my part, but as suggested by others, OP should definitely retrieve own luggage before proceeding.
Mar 19, 2018, 11:30 am
#19
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Yep - a $75 USD 12 hour international flight! No award space on direct...
Thanks all for the help- knew it was a long shot. I'll travel without check-in baggage. As someone stated above, the SQ flight arrived into SFO late at night- I am booked on the last flight to LAX. Would rather risk it than stay overnight in SFO.
Thanks all for the help- knew it was a long shot. I'll travel without check-in baggage. As someone stated above, the SQ flight arrived into SFO late at night- I am booked on the last flight to LAX. Would rather risk it than stay overnight in SFO.
Mar 19, 2018, 11:38 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2016
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If you do decide to do it, try to get SQ to tag your bags all the way to LAX so at the very least you can just drop your bags at the recheck counter instead of going to the UA check-in counters.
Also might help if you are *G and make sure they put the orange prio tags on your luggage.
Also might help if you are *G and make sure they put the orange prio tags on your luggage.
Mar 19, 2018, 11:42 am
#21
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If you are able to travel without check-in luggage, by all means, do so. Eliminates the wait for checked bags to show up at the carousel. You can just go straight through immigration to Customs and on your way to connection. Increases your odds of making your connecting flight by quite a bit.
On another note, will airport employees help with getting through immigration/customs lines if I am running late for the connecting flight?
Mar 19, 2018, 11:56 am
#22
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Mar 19, 2018, 12:04 pm
#24
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Mar 19, 2018, 12:14 pm
#25
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Mar 19, 2018, 12:16 pm
#27
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I have a tight connection in SFO, on two separate bookings transferring from Int'l terminal to domestic (HKG > SFO > LAX, SQ and UA). If for some reason my baggage takes a lot of time to come out - and I don't have time to pick it up without missing my connecting flight - would a friend in SFO (who is travelling to LAX the next day) be able to pick it up?
Assuming UA would not be able to/wouldn't help get the bag to LAX, unless I can check the bag through at HKG.
Assuming UA would not be able to/wouldn't help get the bag to LAX, unless I can check the bag through at HKG.
Mar 19, 2018, 12:50 pm
#28
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Pretty sure it's just two lines at SFO. The "normal humans" line, and the "you have expedited status" line, but they both feed into the same (two) agent(s) so it doesn't seem to be any faster to have two lines.
Mar 19, 2018, 1:51 pm
#29
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In fact, at SFO, your status matters more than GE.
SFO is relatively efficient in term of immigration and customs processing even when it is busy. The status matters more because 1) If you have checked bag, your baggage will be first to offload; 2) If no checked bag, you will most likely sit at the front of the plane, being the first group to disembark.
Off topic - if GE does not come with TSA PreCheck, it is not worth applying GE as you won't save much time as TSA PreCheck.
Mar 19, 2018, 2:04 pm
#30
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That being said, PreCheck at SFO does save a fair bit of time as well.