Immigration procedures for UA839
Dec 22, 2004, 12:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: BNE
Posts: 2,622
Immigration procedures for UA839
Looking at a ridiculous MR (LHR-LAX-SYD-MEL-SYD-LAX-IAD-LHR) in April. I intend to get to MEL at 09:40 then depart back to LAX at 11:25 on the same day.
Am I correct in assuming that passengers on this flight would clear customs and immigration at SYD as this is the point of entry into Australia?
Do you think that the 1:45 turnaround would be a problem?
Thanks for any help!
Am I correct in assuming that passengers on this flight would clear customs and immigration at SYD as this is the point of entry into Australia?
Do you think that the 1:45 turnaround would be a problem?
Thanks for any help!
Dec 22, 2004, 12:52 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Chapel Hill, NC - UA Nobody (sigh)/0.925MM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 3,510
Originally Posted by adamwebster
Looking at a ridiculous MR (LHR-LAX-SYD-MEL-SYD-LAX-IAD-LHR)
Good luck!
Dec 22, 2004, 1:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K; AA GLD
Posts: 106
Originally Posted by adamwebster
Looking at a ridiculous MR (LHR-LAX-SYD-MEL-SYD-LAX-IAD-LHR) in April. I intend to get to MEL at 09:40 then depart back to LAX at 11:25 on the same day.
Am I correct in assuming that passengers on this flight would clear customs and immigration at SYD as this is the point of entry into Australia?
Do you think that the 1:45 turnaround would be a problem?
Thanks for any help!
Am I correct in assuming that passengers on this flight would clear customs and immigration at SYD as this is the point of entry into Australia?
Do you think that the 1:45 turnaround would be a problem?
Thanks for any help!
Dec 22, 2004, 1:12 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: TXL
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 240
(Hit reply just a tad too late..)
Dec 22, 2004, 1:58 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Australia
Posts: 2,813
If you are flying onto MEL,then you will clear customs / immigration at MEL.
Your plan could come unstuck is if your westbound transpac flight were late and you miss the UA service onto MEL. In this case, you would be connected onto a domestic service for the SYD-MEL segment(QF DJ) and then the delays would start and you would no doubt miss the return.
Of course though ,if you became aware of this problem,presumably you could just remain at SYD and return back the the US.
good luck
Ozflier
Your plan could come unstuck is if your westbound transpac flight were late and you miss the UA service onto MEL. In this case, you would be connected onto a domestic service for the SYD-MEL segment(QF DJ) and then the delays would start and you would no doubt miss the return.
Of course though ,if you became aware of this problem,presumably you could just remain at SYD and return back the the US.
good luck
Ozflier
Dec 22, 2004, 7:29 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Programs: UA Nobody (former 1K, 1P, 2P), QFF Nobody, Skywards Nobody
Posts: 1,337
Originally Posted by adamwebster
Do you think that the 1:45 turnaround would be a problem?
The turn-around time is very tight if immigration is busy (I'm presuming you won't have checked bags?). Your onward flight may be boarding before you get around to check back in again.
And of course there is no real margin for delay. If you miss MEL-SYD I don't know what options you would have to get to SYD in time for the LAX flight.
Dec 22, 2004, 7:46 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2002
Location: US
Programs: UA GS 2MM
Posts: 1,735
You will clear customs in MEL as the last person mentioned. I doubt you will have too much of a wait during the immigration process, MEL seems to be pretty quick.
Dec 22, 2004, 7:50 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,113
I'm curious, does one even need to clear immigration? Can someone stay in the boarding area and recheck in (effectively as a transit passenger) at say the RCC? (I've never arrived at MEL on UA, only departed from there, so I don't know how the terminal is designed.)
Dec 23, 2004, 8:28 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: BNE
Posts: 2,622
Originally Posted by BrisbanePE
I think it will make you look very suspicious to immigration and customs. That in itself may delay you, even as you explain what a mileage run is.
So you'd think I'd have the same issue with immigration & customs but then I'd have 6 hours on the ground at SYD to sort out any problems.
Anyway, what's the worst immigration and customs can do? Send me back on the first available flight? Well, I suppose that is MY intention anyway!
Dec 23, 2004, 9:25 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 167
Definitely miss the MEL portion - its only 1000 EQM miles combined and you will then have heaps of time. You could even visit downtown Sydney before your afternoon return to LAX.
Dec 23, 2004, 10:51 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,082
Originally Posted by fjgolder
Definitely miss the MEL portion - its only 1000 EQM miles combined and you will then have heaps of time. You could even visit downtown Sydney before your afternoon return to LAX.
Dec 23, 2004, 3:11 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: BNE
Posts: 2,622
What made the SYD-MEL-SYD add-on worth considering was the fact that I would earn an extra 1000 or so miles but, more influentially, the ticket was actually about Ł50 cheaper than getting off at SYD.
I think I'll play safe though and just go to SYD.
Thanks for all your input.
I think I'll play safe though and just go to SYD.
Thanks for all your input.
Dec 23, 2004, 3:13 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Australia
Posts: 2,813
Originally Posted by fjgolder
Definitely miss the MEL portion - its only 1000 EQM miles combined and you will then have heaps of time. You could even visit downtown Sydney before your afternoon return to LAX.
Ozflier
Dec 23, 2004, 7:17 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM, DL DM
Posts: 419
While in SYD, the Air NZ lounge is the by far the nicest in my brief experience. Don't even bother going into the RCC, you're much better off sitting in terminal.
Whatever status you are going to get isn't worth that trip - I don't care if there are 72 virgins waiting for you in heaven upon disembarking.
Good luck, TJ
Whatever status you are going to get isn't worth that trip - I don't care if there are 72 virgins waiting for you in heaven upon disembarking.
Good luck, TJ
Dec 23, 2004, 7:30 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,067
Would he even have to go through customs in SYD?
It's been a couple years, but IIRC, the UA flight would offload airside, you reclear security, and so long as you stay in the airside area and visit the concierge to check in, I don't think customs would come into play.
With that said, SYD is such a beautiful city, that turning around in 6 hours is really a disgrace. If you can swing it, spend some time there if you're going to do that much flying.
It's been a couple years, but IIRC, the UA flight would offload airside, you reclear security, and so long as you stay in the airside area and visit the concierge to check in, I don't think customs would come into play.
With that said, SYD is such a beautiful city, that turning around in 6 hours is really a disgrace. If you can swing it, spend some time there if you're going to do that much flying.
