Need info on IAD airport and transfer to domestic terminal (Washington: how much, inspections) - City-Data Forum

rak007 · 07-30-2011, 10:03 AM

I am traveling from India to Dallas and my first port of entry in the US is Washington DC, the IAD airport. I will be arriving in a British Airways flight, My immigration will be happening at DC airport itself. I need to then take my luggage and move to domestic terminal and take an American Airlines flight to Dallas (DFW).
I need to know what to expect after i land at IAD aiport, how much time will the immigration take and how do i move to the domestic terminal to catch the American Airlines flight. I am confused about all this and hence seeking this help.

jifie · 07-30-2011, 10:18 AM

It might take a little while, depending on the time of day you come in and how many other flights are coming in. They are good about making sure they have enough agents during the busy times. Theres been times where I flew through and times it has taken about 15-20 min, no more. It also depends if you have a US or international passport, every time I go through immigration I am delighted to not have to stand in the non-citizen line because it is always long. The process at Dulles is a bit unique due to the seperate terminals. I know last time I was there, they were working on a subway, but I dont think thats done yet, so after you get through immigration, you are going to need to take the bus to your correct terminal. Make sure you follow the correct signs, and know what terminal you are going to, or else you will be on quite a few bus trips instead of just the one to your terminal.

dkf747 · 07-30-2011, 10:18 AM

Not sure how long, but there will be a baggage recheck desk right after Customs.

rak007 · 07-30-2011, 11:09 AM

From the link -> U.S. Customs - International Arrivals

I got the following information

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Passengers arriving in the C-Gates who are connecting to a domestic flight will walk from the gate to U.S. Customs in the C-Gates. Some connecting passengers may be directed to the IAB depending on your airline's procedures. Click here for a printable diagram.

After clearing U.S. Customs at Dulles, passengers must claim their checked luggage before proceeding in to the Main Terminal or to a connecting flight. All luggage in the U.S. Customs area is subject to inspection. To check-in luggage for a connecting flight, simply hand it to an agent in the baggage re-check area before exiting.

Passengers transfering to a connecting flight will need to clear screening by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA). If you cleared Customs from the C-Gates, you will go through TSA screening immediately afterwards then go up one level to the C-Gates Concourse. If you cleared Customs in the IAB, you will enter the Main Terminal where you can follow signs "TO ALL GATES" for TSA screening. Click here for more detailed information about TSA screeening guidelines.
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Here can anyone help me with some terms like C-Gates, what does this mean and how do i identify after i get out of my aircraft arriving from outside USA.

jifie · 07-30-2011, 11:20 AM

What that is referring to is the Terminal you will be in, C Terminal where are the C labeled gates are located, just like the A gates will be in A terminal and B in B terminal, and so forth. Dulles is unique in that the different terminals are geographically seperate, unlike most airports where the terminals are all within the same(although spread out) building in the airport and you need to take a bus to each seperate one.

You will go to a baggage claim, get your baggage out, and it may be inspected. After you take your bags past the inspection(right next to baggage claim) you will give your bags right back to the agents. At this time you will be rescreened through security and then you will be off to your next flight. You will need to catch the bus to your next terminal, which I assume will be terminal B.

If you have never been in an airport, it is vry easy to find signs to your next terminal, and if you are unsure, be sure to ask, people in airports are generally helpful. If you have been to an airport, the gates are shown just like at any other airport, the only difference is you wont walk from security to the gate, you will take the bus.

dkf747 · 07-30-2011, 06:19 PM

Does AA use Customs in the C Terminal? I thought that was just United Airlines. Dulles has one at C-Terminal and the main Customs in the main terminal.

jifie · 07-30-2011, 06:57 PM

I cant recall specifically, but every time I came back to the states through Dulles, I had to take a bus back to the main terminal building, I've never seen or used customs in the main terminal. But the last time I went through was 2 years ago, so things may easily have changed.

rak007 · 08-01-2011, 07:50 AM

Friends need some help and clarification.

My flight itenary is like this

BOM (India) -> LHR (London) - British Airways
LHR -> IAD - British Airways
IAD -> DFW - American Airlines

I am confused about the part whether i need to pickup my luggage at IAD and take myself or the airline will route it and i will pick up directly at DFW.

Mine is a through ticket under single itenary and i also checked with British Airways here in India and they told me that i will be picking up at Dallas only but on a separate forum someone mentioned that i will need to pickup the luggage at IAD. :S

I am so so confused and anxious now.

jifie · 08-01-2011, 10:00 AM

Ok, I am now convinced that you have never flown internationally, so I will try and break it down.

Airports can be confusing at times, but they arent going to try and trip you up purposefully. And first off, everyone knows airports are confusing so there are always plenty of people around to help you out. Just look for someone with a name tag and you will be directed on where to go.

Now, on to the baggage issue. If you were flying anywhere in the country, lets say LA to BWI, and had a connecting flight in Montana, your bags would automatically(hopefully) transfer from one plane to the other since there is no need for you to get your bags out.

Now for international flights, they need you to get your bags out to see if you have anything to declare and for them to do possible bag inspections on you to make sure you arent bringing anything into the country that you didnt declare. You will only need to get your bag out for this short process and you will give them the bag right back after you are done. It is not considered actually getting your bags, because you will only have them for a minute, and then they will go right back on the plane. Just make sure when you go through inspection and you see agents taking bags and you see people giving them bags, dont just walk by, actually give them your bags.

dkf747 · 08-01-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rak007

Friends need some help and clarification.

My flight itenary is like this

BOM (India) -> LHR (London) - British Airways
LHR -> IAD - British Airways
IAD -> DFW - American Airlines

I am confused about the part whether i need to pickup my luggage at IAD and take myself or the airline will route it and i will pick up directly at DFW.

Mine is a through ticket under single itenary and i also checked with British Airways here in India and they told me that i will be picking up at Dallas only but on a separate forum someone mentioned that i will need to pickup the luggage at IAD. :S

I am so so confused and anxious now.

In Europe and other international locations, your bags are checked through to the destination. It is different in the US. Here, you go through passport control and customs at the first US airport you arrive at (IAD). You get your bags, go through Customs,. and after customs you will see baggage re-check for various airlines. Head to the American Airlines desk and re-check the bags. They should already have the DFW tag on them. After that, you head to the gate for the flight to DFW.