AJ747M

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.

goodeats21

I don't think your friend would have access to your bag, as it will be in the US Customs area. Pretty sure CBP would want the owner of the bag to pick it up and be subject to inspection.

Kacee

SQ should check your bag through to LAX. Even so, your best option is to pick it up at SFO to clear customs, even if that means changing to a later flight on UA. A same day change can be done for $75 (or no fee if you are UA Gold or higher).

Ocn Vw 1K

Agree with goodseats21, assuming your bag cannot be checked through to LAX. Unless HKG is suddenly made a pre-clearance destination, this would require complex arrangements with U.S. ICE, which may not be possible to negotiate. And it would red-flag the transaction for ICE in the first place.

bocastephen

It doesn't matter if SQ checks it through or not - SFO is the first port of entry for the OP, they will need to claim their bag inside the SF customs area, exit through customs (after any inspections), and then re-check the bag with the UA bag drop desk just outside the customs hall - it is only at this point the OP can hand the bag to someone else, but it won't save them any time, and the friend cannot re-check the bag for them.

However, it doesn't really matter - I think the OP is not aware of the connection procedure here in the US. Upon arrival, they will need to wait in what could be a very long line to clear immigration (unless they have APEC or Global Entry), get their bag from the carousel, exit customs, drop the bag outside the secure area with the re-check desk, then go upstairs and wait in the regular security line to re-enter the terminal....for someone without any priority access, this could easily be 1-2 hours depending on how busy immigration and security are.

OP - how long is your connection? International>domestic should be at least 3 hours without immigration and security priority.

Kacee

There is a process whereby UA will take the bag through customs and send it on in case of a misconnect (I know because they've done it for me at IAH), but I would not rely on that, especially as a non-US citizen.

OP definitely ought to plan on leaving enough time at SFO to pick up his bag, even if this requires an overnight (as SQ's HKG-SFO flight is a nighttime arrival).

bocastephen

Only IAH currently has the check-through process for bags where you don't need to claim it first (the inspector can call it up if necessary, otherwise it passes through behind the scenes). SFO doesn't currently have this, so every connection needs a manual re-check after exiting customs.

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.

rufflesinc

I hope OP is getting some benefit over booking one of the many HKG-LAX non-stops ...

Kacee

That's only for I-I connections and it's not what I'm talking about. At any airport, UA can pull your bag off the carousel, run it through customs, and check it onwards. However, I'm not sure they'd do this (a) on a separate ticket, or (b) for a non-US citizen.

That's grossly excessive. It's also irrelevant. HKG-SFO is a late night arrival, and OP will have a choice of either last SFO-LAX of the night, or first thing in the morning. I suspect he can make this connection in two hours, though that is not risk free.

Often1

If OP fails to pick up his bag off the sterile-side carousel, whether his bag is checked to SFO or anywhere else, that will set off all kinds of red flags and CBP will, at a minimum, want to speak with OP about what he did and why. Presuming that he is not traveling on a US passport, simply abandoning the bag pre-Customs inspection is a good way to wind up with multiple immigration issues now and in the future.

Also, OP says that he is on separate "bookings", e.g. tickets. Thus, he is not connecting and has a separate journey. If he no shows for his onward flight, his ticket will be cancelled and will retain whatever value it may retain under its fare rules. In addition to other CBP delays, if OP has any issues with his status, that may cause delays as well.

The entire plan is not a good one.

Kacee

That's just silly.

bocastephen

There won't be "multiple immigration issues in the future" or big "red flags", but the bag will essentially be abandoned and held by SQ until it is claimed. United won't do anything to help here - the OP is not their customer until he/she checks in at the counter at SFO. Being on two separate tickets kills any chance of a smooth transition between flights in case of a misconnect.

I suggest the OP re-think this plan again because apparently it was setup without any knowledge of how we do international-domestic transfers in the USA.

ttuna3

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.

AJ747M

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.

tarheelnj

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.