Can someone else pick up my bag? {Arriving international at SFO}
Mar 19, 2018, 2:24 pm
#31
Join Date: Jul 2016
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Can't exactly say that I remember flying through SFO without status or GE, but priority/VIP tags can be hit or miss and your baggage can come out first or end up with the regular stuff.
Even if you get your baggage off the carousel first, you can still get stuck behind another international flight(s), and that's where the GE "priority" line might help.
I think I've done jetbridge-immigration-customs-tsa in SFO in about 15-20 min on several occasions with GE/Pre and *G on UA.
While you are not guaranteed to get PreCheck on every flight due to random exclusion, GE basically gives you a Known Traveler Number which you can use for PreCheck.
Mar 19, 2018, 2:58 pm
#32
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But in that case, GE is not a matter, as you are delayed by non-immigration-customs issue.
Mar 19, 2018, 2:58 pm
#33
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15-20min jetbridge-immigration-customs-tsa is roughly my experience as well (granted, for early morning arrivals).
Mar 19, 2018, 3:23 pm
#34
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And there is a dedicated GE customs line, too.
Mar 19, 2018, 4:05 pm
#35
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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, 7:07 pm
#36
formerly 1984SW
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Actually, if the OP is on separate tickets, they should budget 5-6 hours minimum for connection for delay and immigration hall chaos - once they arrive in SFO, they cannot do a bag re-check, they need to go upstairs to the ticket counter and check-in as a new passenger on their UA ticket. If they "misconnect", it's actually a no-show, not a misconnect.
Mar 19, 2018, 7:29 pm
#37
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 84
Correct.
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.
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, 7:30 pm
#38
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If the OP is checking bags, certainly - if they are not, then it's a crapshoot depending on the mood of the agent who may or may not want to put down their People Magazine long enough to bother doing the check-in vs waving the person upstairs to the counter.
Mar 20, 2018, 12:33 pm
#39
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
I'd probably check with the checkin agent at SQ, and inform the purser/FA on the SQ flight of your situation. From all the good things I hear about SQ, they may have someone greet you at SFO and escort you through the process with such a tight connection (especially if you are travelling in J or UA GS)
If everything is on one ticket you should be protected since per UA/SQ you are within the minimum connection time (otherwise they wouldn't ticket you). If you "misconnect" you'll be put on the next flight out of SFO (which is probably next hour since SFO <-> LAX is an extremely popular route). If the next available flight is for the next day you'll likely have to pay out of pocket for the hotel (airlines usually only cover mechanical, crew and weather (if *Gold) for hotel/vouchers) which any good travel credit card will cover. Otherwise you're on your own if you miss that flight (in which case I'd probably just purchase a cheap SW flight and ask SQ/UA to ARUNK the remainder of my itinerary so it doesn't get cancelled out).
As others have mentioned, your best bet is not to check in bags at all (just have carry ons) to avoid delays in getting your bags. Checked bags can easily add an hour to your journey. If you have GlobalEntry then as others have noted it is usually your best bet (enter that number in during check in for UA to get PreCheck). If you don't have it but are a US or Canadian citizen you should download the CBP Mobile Passport app which allows you to complete the necessities of immigration on the plane so when you deplane you just show a slip of paper to the agent. If none of that applies to you my recommendation would be to be the first off the plane (i.e. sit nearest the exit and grab your carryons the second you meet the gate saying, "tight connection" - you want to beat the rush to immigration queues basically.
Key with tight connections is to keep walking (don't stop) till you get to your gate. Once you clear the interview portion of the immigration and head for the baggage claim area head for the exits (since you've just got carry on) where there will be someone from CBP glancing at bags and asking random questions. Once you are through the exits you'll need to follow signs for the relevant terminal (I believe Terminal 3 is UA and since you'll be arriving in International Terminal G it should be a short walk). You'll need to head through security once again - if you have PreCheck or *Gold or are travelling in Business/First Class use the relevant security lanes (sometimes *Gold line is actually faster than Pre line) and head to your gate.
Hope that helps.
Safe Travels,
James
If everything is on one ticket you should be protected since per UA/SQ you are within the minimum connection time (otherwise they wouldn't ticket you). If you "misconnect" you'll be put on the next flight out of SFO (which is probably next hour since SFO <-> LAX is an extremely popular route). If the next available flight is for the next day you'll likely have to pay out of pocket for the hotel (airlines usually only cover mechanical, crew and weather (if *Gold) for hotel/vouchers) which any good travel credit card will cover. Otherwise you're on your own if you miss that flight (in which case I'd probably just purchase a cheap SW flight and ask SQ/UA to ARUNK the remainder of my itinerary so it doesn't get cancelled out).
As others have mentioned, your best bet is not to check in bags at all (just have carry ons) to avoid delays in getting your bags. Checked bags can easily add an hour to your journey. If you have GlobalEntry then as others have noted it is usually your best bet (enter that number in during check in for UA to get PreCheck). If you don't have it but are a US or Canadian citizen you should download the CBP Mobile Passport app which allows you to complete the necessities of immigration on the plane so when you deplane you just show a slip of paper to the agent. If none of that applies to you my recommendation would be to be the first off the plane (i.e. sit nearest the exit and grab your carryons the second you meet the gate saying, "tight connection" - you want to beat the rush to immigration queues basically.
Key with tight connections is to keep walking (don't stop) till you get to your gate. Once you clear the interview portion of the immigration and head for the baggage claim area head for the exits (since you've just got carry on) where there will be someone from CBP glancing at bags and asking random questions. Once you are through the exits you'll need to follow signs for the relevant terminal (I believe Terminal 3 is UA and since you'll be arriving in International Terminal G it should be a short walk). You'll need to head through security once again - if you have PreCheck or *Gold or are travelling in Business/First Class use the relevant security lanes (sometimes *Gold line is actually faster than Pre line) and head to your gate.
Hope that helps.
Safe Travels,
James
Mar 20, 2018, 4:00 pm
#40
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I'd probably check with the checkin agent at SQ, and inform the purser/FA on the SQ flight of your situation. From all the good things I hear about SQ, they may have someone greet you at SFO and escort you through the process with such a tight connection (especially if you are travelling in J or UA GS)
If everything is on one ticket you should be protected since per UA/SQ you are within the minimum connection time (otherwise they wouldn't ticket you)....
Mar 20, 2018, 6:35 pm
#41
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If if you’re asking if employees will help you cut the line so you can try and be on time for your next flight (on a separate reservation), I doubt it. Haven’t seen that happen for a long, long time. Also, no guarantees if you are running late that they’ll rebook you - theoretically, they can have you buy walk up. That’s why people have suggested when traveling on separate tickets, you leave at least several hours, or overnight, between, so there is less risk in the event of a delay/cancellation.
As for baggage, which I know OP is not checking, but for reference, I wouldn’t leave bag claim from an international flight without either the bag or filing the proper paperwork. This is because you’ll need to fill out not just delayed bag claim with SQ (which they might not let you file if there are still bags from the flight coming on the belt), but also CBP paperwork. I’d guess you probably can get it back somehow if you leave customs without the bag, but probably not a proces you’d want to go through.
Good luck to the OP.
Mar 20, 2018, 10:13 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
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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 20, 2018, 10:20 pm
#43
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Whether UA would do that given that OP is on separate tix (and is not a US citizen) I don't know. I do know they've done it for me at IAH on a single ticket.
Think about what happens if they forget to load your bag at origin. You don't sit in limbo at the carousel for hours or days. You file the report, catch your next flight, and let the airline deal with the bag.
Mar 21, 2018, 12:02 am
#44
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
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The question is what happens if don't pick them up. If you follow appropriate procedure, the airline will in fact take them through customs for you and send them on to your final destination.
Think about what happens if they forget to load your bag at origin. You don't sit in limbo at the carousel for hours or days. You file the report, catch your next flight, and let the airline deal with the bag.
Think about what happens if they forget to load your bag at origin. You don't sit in limbo at the carousel for hours or days. You file the report, catch your next flight, and let the airline deal with the bag.
Mar 21, 2018, 12:46 am
#45
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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.
Check-in deadline is 30 or 45 minutes depending on if you have bags to check: https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...s/default.aspx
Also, the nearest security checkpoint to the International Terminal in Terminal 3 is probably closed that time of the day. So, additional time is needed walking down Terminal 3.
Then of course I hope Swissport does not do this again: Swissport Ground Service Equipment Impacting Arrival (SFO)