AngusMactavish Posted February 12, 2019 Report Share Posted February 12, 2019 It has been many moons since I have flown and what I seem to read is disturbing. Maybe someone knows different. I will be leaving GDL with a change of planes in LAX. What I read is that all international arrivals must clear US customs and immigration even if they are continuing on another international outbound flight. Do they no longer have "sterile" areas for international transfers? I can see why many do what they can to avoid US connections if that is the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kam Posted February 12, 2019 Report Share Posted February 12, 2019 Our experience was (emphasis was) that we had to clear customs in LAX. It was not fun. Give yourself a bunch of time, be patient. Think happy thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted February 12, 2019 Report Share Posted February 12, 2019 I read the same thing about no more "sterile" areas in any US airport. My experience is also too old. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibarra Posted February 12, 2019 Report Share Posted February 12, 2019 When flying through Atlanta, we claim our luggage, clear customs and luggage goes back on conveyor belt. Been the same procedure for many years. No problem as long as long as your connection time is adequate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Shrall Posted February 12, 2019 Report Share Posted February 12, 2019 When flying to the US connecting with another international flight you must clear customs with either Global Entry, Mobile Passport or the other line. You are able to take the transit exit instead of heading down to baggage claim as your bags are checked to your final destination. No reclaim is necessary in the US so long as your next flight does not arrive in another US city. Dallas forces you outside security in what they call no luggage/transit. Can't speak to other airports. Many international airports have transit lanes that send you right to your next gate without involving customs or security. Too bad that's not the case in the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngusMactavish Posted February 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2019 I think I see the reason one must now clear customs... $$$. A C-1 Transit Visa requires an interview and $160 USD fee for a Mexican. Pure "highway" robbery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barcelonaman Posted February 12, 2019 Report Share Posted February 12, 2019 Done that trip a few times in past few years. I have always stayed overnight close to lax to avoid problems, the immigration/customs is slow in and out, but im not a u.s. citizen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomas Posted February 12, 2019 Report Share Posted February 12, 2019 You must 1st clear immigration then claim you checked luggage and then clear customs, then recheck your bags just beyond customs and proceed to your new departure gate which may require you to depart your arrival terminal and take a bus to another terminal..PIA.. Stop and ask as you proceed thru the terminal where the new terminal is located and ask if is walkable..You better have at least a2 hour layover and 3 to feel comfortable..YMMV..Good luck.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngusMactavish Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Good news: LAX has a new terminal TBIT, Tom Brady International Terminal, that is sterile. Both my incoming and outgoing flights are in that terminal and that will not require me to get my bags or enter the US (Yeah!). I would also have a chance to eat at P.F. Chang's in that terminal, having never seen one before, but that would be quite silly on my way to China. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desafinada Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Where did you get your info that Tom Brady terminal is sterile? We have flown into it and back out at least once a year. Always required to clear customs and immigration before proceeding to recheck. It may be different if you are not changing airlines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside7 Posted February 14, 2019 Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 Is a better terminology.."in transit" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngusMactavish Posted February 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2019 22 minutes ago, desafinada said: Where did you get your info that Tom Brady terminal is sterile? In via Interjet and out with EVA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 Phone number at bottom of page. (855) 463-5252 https://www.flylax.com/en/terminals/tbit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desafinada Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 We flew in with Volaris and out with Singapore in May. Both used the International terminal. We still had to clear customs and immigration. There was no cost incurred, just time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngusMactavish Posted February 15, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 1 hour ago, desafinada said: We flew in with Volaris and out with Singapore in May. Both used the International terminal. We still had to clear customs and immigration. There was no cost incurred, just time. An absolute bummer. I can not find anyone that says otherwise. Had I known before buying the tickets, I would have gone to Uruguay. The transfer may be no cost for you but not a Mexican. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside7 Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 3 hours ago, AngusMactavish said: An absolute bummer. I can not find anyone that says otherwise. Had I known before buying the tickets, I would have gone to Uruguay. The transfer may be no cost for you but not a Mexican. Is it only me that is confused by this discussion and where it is leading too...he said she said...please what is the point of this discussion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmh Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 do not worry about having Chinese food at PF Chang, the place is fro Arizona and the food has very little to do with what you will be served in China. What s a sterile airport? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 "sterile" area for "in transit" passengers that is not stopping in that country. You don't go through immigration or customs. I don't think the US doesn't have any airport with one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 A lot of airports used to have a TWOV lounge...transit without visa, but I don't think any US airport has them any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmh Posted February 17, 2019 Report Share Posted February 17, 2019 I seem to remember that I always have to go through customs and immigration when I have to go through the States for that reason I do not fly through there.. who needs that?? Yes I have not seen one of the transit lounge lately, I have to go through immigration and customs last tme I flew KLM from Paris to Mexico with a stop in Amsterdam.. that was another pain.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostlylost Posted February 19, 2019 Report Share Posted February 19, 2019 On 2/13/2019 at 6:13 PM, AngusMactavish said: Good news: LAX has a new terminal TBIT, Tom Brady International Terminal, that is sterile. Both my incoming and outgoing flights are in that terminal and that will not require me to get my bags or enter the US (Yeah!). I would also have a chance to eat at P.F. Chang's in that terminal, having never seen one before, but that would be quite silly on my way to China. There is a P.F.Changs in Guadalajara in the Andares mall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Shrall Posted February 19, 2019 Report Share Posted February 19, 2019 Every passenger arriving at a US airport from any other country in the world must present documents to CBP upon arrival. They have to make sure you have the legal right to enter the US. If you are connecting to a flight that will land in another US city you have to pick up and re-check luggage. If your connecting flight departs to a non-US city you are transit and can skip baggage pickup. Even through many airports have international terminals not all flights departing from them are heading out of the country. DFW has a transit shortcut that bypasses going to the luggage claim area but it still dumps you outside of security. Don't know if that's the case at LAX. Many if not all major European and Asian cities do not require you to present a passport if you are heading to another country on your connecting flight. Just did that in Hong Kong while heading to Singapore and São Paulo going to Buenos Aires. When going to Ecuador I flew from GDL to DFW to MIA to Quito. Even though the destination was Ecuador I had to pick up and re-check luggage in DFW due to the MIA flight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmh Posted March 29, 2019 Report Share Posted March 29, 2019 I flew Paris Amsterdam Mexico and I had to present a passport in Amsterdam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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