Questions about NRT-GUM-YAP flight
Nov 18, 2018, 11:29 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 122
Questions about NRT-GUM-YAP flight
My friend is flying SFO-NRT-GUM-YAP tomorrow, the connection at GUM is 45mins. The UA apps showed that NRT-GUM, and GUM-YAP using the same plane
Q1: Does passenger go through border control at NRT or GUM? The agent on the phone told her that border control is at NRT. just want to make sure that is the case.
Q2: If passenger doesn't need to go through border control at GUM, can the passenger stay on the plane? or they have to get off the plane and get back to the plane again.
Q3: Is it possible that if NRT-GUM delayed, and GUM-YAP switched to a different plane? Therefore my friend will miss the connection and stuck on GUM.
Q1: Does passenger go through border control at NRT or GUM? The agent on the phone told her that border control is at NRT. just want to make sure that is the case.
Q2: If passenger doesn't need to go through border control at GUM, can the passenger stay on the plane? or they have to get off the plane and get back to the plane again.
Q3: Is it possible that if NRT-GUM delayed, and GUM-YAP switched to a different plane? Therefore my friend will miss the connection and stuck on GUM.
Nov 18, 2018, 12:24 pm
#2
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Q1 No this is wrong there's no reason to go through border security at NRT for an I-I connection.
Q2 Everybody off the plane.
Q3 Yes, they can swap planes and have a missed connection.
Q2 Everybody off the plane.
Q3 Yes, they can swap planes and have a missed connection.
Nov 18, 2018, 12:33 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 122
Nov 18, 2018, 1:16 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 122
For Nov 20th, NRT-GUM and GUM-YAP is the same 738. Do you think if GUM-YAP will hold the flight? The only problem is that GUM-YAP is twice weekly. My friend is taking the next flight back on Nov 25th. And she is on US student visa, not sure how will that affect the time in Guan's immigration.
Nov 18, 2018, 1:58 pm
#7
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 122
I did a quick check on arrival and departure at GUM, looks like the last arrival before UA 197 (NRT-GUM) is 2~3 hrs ago, and only departure after UA197 arrival is UA 185. Hopefully this means no line at immigration and security.
Nov 19, 2018, 1:33 am
#8
Join Date: May 2006
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1. Go through US CBP immigration. Proceed downstairs.
2. Go through Guam customs with carry-on. (Fill out Guam customs form ahead of time.)
3. Exit landside, go back upstairs for TSA security check.
4. Proceed to gate.
Guam is small enough an operation, and that hour is quiet both for arrival and departure. And since GUM-YAP is international they have to pull your bag if you don't show. All these mean they know who's coming and going. So unless you disappear into the bathroom for a prolonged period of time, you should be fine.
2. Go through Guam customs with carry-on. (Fill out Guam customs form ahead of time.)
3. Exit landside, go back upstairs for TSA security check.
4. Proceed to gate.
Guam is small enough an operation, and that hour is quiet both for arrival and departure. And since GUM-YAP is international they have to pull your bag if you don't show. All these mean they know who's coming and going. So unless you disappear into the bathroom for a prolonged period of time, you should be fine.
Nov 19, 2018, 5:54 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2012
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I made it through customs at GUM in like 15 mins last week when there, and that was with multiple Korean flights rolling in at the same time. Everyone is chilled and relax.
Nov 20, 2018, 8:20 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 122
Update: my friend made the connection, it is quite easy.
However, the border control give her some potential problem. Her itinerary is US-GUM-YAP, YAP-GUM-ROR, ROR-GUM-US, and she is on student visa.
The border control told her that they let her pass through GUM as transit because her original flight is from US, (or destination is to US). The border control guy is stating that F1 visa is only for studying or OPT training. (implying not good for transit at Guam, if origination or destination is not US)
The next leg of the flight is the problem, YAP-GUM-ROR, there is no direct flight from YAP-ROR. I have read IATA's database, it only points to valid US visa. (no mention of F1 or other visa).
Is this 1) Guam specific thing? 2) the border control making up things? I don't think this would be an issue in mainland US.
Any solutions? One thing I can think about is to book a full fare Y for flight GUM-HNL and cancel it after border control. But I think it is ridiculous.
However, the border control give her some potential problem. Her itinerary is US-GUM-YAP, YAP-GUM-ROR, ROR-GUM-US, and she is on student visa.
The border control told her that they let her pass through GUM as transit because her original flight is from US, (or destination is to US). The border control guy is stating that F1 visa is only for studying or OPT training. (implying not good for transit at Guam, if origination or destination is not US)
The next leg of the flight is the problem, YAP-GUM-ROR, there is no direct flight from YAP-ROR. I have read IATA's database, it only points to valid US visa. (no mention of F1 or other visa).
Is this 1) Guam specific thing? 2) the border control making up things? I don't think this would be an issue in mainland US.
Any solutions? One thing I can think about is to book a full fare Y for flight GUM-HNL and cancel it after border control. But I think it is ridiculous.
Nov 20, 2018, 8:38 am
#12
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The border control told her that they let her pass through GUM as transit because her original flight is from US, (or destination is to US). The border control guy is stating that F1 visa is only for studying or OPT training. (implying not good for transit at Guam, if origination or destination is not US)
The next leg of the flight is the problem, YAP-GUM-ROR, there is no direct flight from YAP-ROR. I have read IATA's database, it only points to valid US visa. (no mention of F1 or other visa).
Is this 1) Guam specific thing? 2) the border control making up things? I don't think this would be an issue in mainland US.
Is this 1) Guam specific thing? 2) the border control making up things? I don't think this would be an issue in mainland US.
Your friend needs to contact the appropriate US embassy or consulate ASAP and try to get it straightened out. What you’ve suggested is an awful idea, as your friend would be risking the F1 visa and any future admittance into the US. (In addition to risking having UA cancel their itinerary for having two conflicting reservations). It is never a good idea to try to defraud border control.
Nov 20, 2018, 9:45 am
#13
Join Date: May 2006
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There is no US consulate serving Yap, but there may be local charter flights serving YAP-ROR. Or even somehow by boat. Then just cancel YAP-GUM-ROR and continue on with the last ticket.
Nov 20, 2018, 9:50 am
#14
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Well, there is, but it’s in Pohnpei, which is less than convenient. I’d reach out to them via phone or email and see what they suggest, but I’d also try OP’s friend’s home country, since often consular matters are expected to go through the embassy / country responsible for one’s residence.
Nov 20, 2018, 10:59 am
#15
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Update: my friend made the connection, it is quite easy.
However, the border control give her some potential problem. Her itinerary is US-GUM-YAP, YAP-GUM-ROR, ROR-GUM-US, and she is on student visa.
The border control told her that they let her pass through GUM as transit because her original flight is from US, (or destination is to US). The border control guy is stating that F1 visa is only for studying or OPT training. (implying not good for transit at Guam, if origination or destination is not US)
The next leg of the flight is the problem, YAP-GUM-ROR, there is no direct flight from YAP-ROR. I have read IATA's database, it only points to valid US visa. (no mention of F1 or other visa).
Is this 1) Guam specific thing? 2) the border control making up things? I don't think this would be an issue in mainland US.
Any solutions? One thing I can think about is to book a full fare Y for flight GUM-HNL and cancel it after border control. But I think it is ridiculous.
However, the border control give her some potential problem. Her itinerary is US-GUM-YAP, YAP-GUM-ROR, ROR-GUM-US, and she is on student visa.
The border control told her that they let her pass through GUM as transit because her original flight is from US, (or destination is to US). The border control guy is stating that F1 visa is only for studying or OPT training. (implying not good for transit at Guam, if origination or destination is not US)
The next leg of the flight is the problem, YAP-GUM-ROR, there is no direct flight from YAP-ROR. I have read IATA's database, it only points to valid US visa. (no mention of F1 or other visa).
Is this 1) Guam specific thing? 2) the border control making up things? I don't think this would be an issue in mainland US.
Any solutions? One thing I can think about is to book a full fare Y for flight GUM-HNL and cancel it after border control. But I think it is ridiculous.