Air Questions

[zachsmomie]

Ok Folks...
I am trying not to bug my travel agent to death goodvibes Dotti) and I have searched the internet but must not be searching for the right thing, so here are my questions:

1) How far, in advance of your flight time, did you have to check into the airport in Venice for the international flight home?

2) Can someone describe what it is like to go through customs? What do you do? How does it work?

3) What happens if your flight has stops? Do you have to go through customs in each airport? For example: If you fly from Newark to Paris with an hour layover before your flight to Rome, do you have to go through customs in Pais?

4) What about when you return? IF your flight is Rome-Boston-Baltimore, do you go through customs in Boston or Baltimore?


Thanks in advance.
Sandy

 

[abbyjt]

I can answer some of your questions based on my own experience, but ask your travel agent or the airline for better answers.
When you travel to Europe, your luggage is booked to your final destination and you do not need to retrieve it until then. You do not go to customs at your layover location unless you are leaving the airport.
When you go to customs, you just follow everyone else and get on line. Usually there is a line for the residents of the country and another for foreigners (you). You get on line and have your passports ready. They may ask you why you are here (vacation) how many days you are staying or anything else like that. Most places I have visited, you go to customs before picking up your luggage.
When you travel back into the US, the security is tighter. You may have to show your passport and boarding passes several times before boarding your flight. When you get to the US, you go through customs (same kind of questions) then you must collect your luggage at the first point of entry (NY or Boston or Philadelphia) and then recheck it through to your next destination. This is not as bad as it sounds. In Philadelphia, at least, they have a spot right outside of the international baggage claim area where you throw your bags right on a belt. You do have to stop and answer questions again from a TSA agent before putting the bags on the belt.
Hope this helps.

 

[wdwsos]

Ok Folks...
I am trying not to bug my travel agent to death goodvibes Dotti) and I have searched the internet but must not be searching for the right thing, so here are my questions:

1) How far, in advance of your flight time, did you have to check into the airport in Venice for the international flight home?

2) Can someone describe what it is like to go through customs? What do you do? How does it work?

3) What happens if your flight has stops? Do you have to go through customs in each airport? For example: If you fly from Newark to Paris with an hour layover before your flight to Rome, do you have to go through customs in Pais?

4) What about when you return? IF your flight is Rome-Boston-Baltimore, do you go through customs in Boston or Baltimore?


Thanks in advance.
Sandy

Sandy, you are so sweet -- you could never bug me!

1) I wouldn't fly without allowing at least 2 hours for check-in, and I prefer 3. However, when the Adventure Guides have your flight information, they will arrange your transport to the Venice airport, so they'll be sure to get you there in enough time. This has nothing to do with the question, but that was the only time on Viva Italia that I actually felt the need for bonine (for motion sickness). Those water taxis really move!

2) I've found customs and immigration/passport control (two different things) to vary greatly in different countries. For example, in Rome we went through passport control, picked up our bags and walked right out of the airport even though we were told the driver would "walk us through customs." I guess he did and we didn't know it? This was a nonstop from Boston. I've heard many others say that customs in Rome is quite lax.

You do have to go through passport control, which can be busy depending on when you fly in, but it's a simple showing of your documents.

Coming back to the U.S., you'll have already filled out your customs form on the flight home. You show your passport, retrieve your luggage and then stand in line for customs, where they will then look at what you are claiming and either wave you through (more often than not) or look through your bags.

3) If you have stops on the way, but the luggage is being sent all the way through on the same airline, you will have to go through passport control in the first foreign country you visit, but unlike in the U.S., customs isn't until the end. Given your example above, you'll go through passport control in France and have your passport stamped, but customs (or the lack thereof) won't be until Rome. You shouldn't have to go through passport control again since that first time gives you 90 days of EU travel.

Remember that you must also go through security again if connecting. With a large airport like the Charles de Gaulle in Paris or Heathrow in London, allow a LOT of time between flights. We thought that 1.5 hours last year was going to be ample, but we sadly watched the gates close as we sprinted from one end of the terminal to the other. I'm very tall (5'10") and my husband... isn't... so we looked like Boris and Natasha on speed.

4) Coming home, if you have a connection in the U.S., this is where you'll go through customs. You'll have to go through U.S. Immigration, retrieve your luggage, go through customs, check the bags in again, go through security and finally board. You always go through customs when you first land in the U.S. If you can connect somewhere in Europe, I think it's a whole lot easier. Coming back from Venice, we connected in Rome and it was a breeze.

I know I may have made this sound very confusing, but it really is simple once you're there!

Dotti

 

[DaddyBrady]

1) How far, in advance of your flight time, did you have to check into the airport in Venice for the international flight home?

2) Can someone describe what it is like to go through customs? What do you do? How does it work?

3) What happens if your flight has stops? Do you have to go through customs in each airport? For example: If you fly from Newark to Paris with an hour layover before your flight to Rome, do you have to go through customs in Pais?

4) What about when you return? IF your flight is Rome-Boston-Baltimore, do you go through customs in Boston or Baltimore?


Thanks in advance.
Sandy

It would be helpful if you used your actual flights and connections because it often depends on the specific airport.

1) Marco Poloin Venice is a pretty small airport. Even with typical Italian efficiency, you won't have to worry about getting there hours in advance.

2) Do you mean going through customs coming home back in the US? It's ridiculously easy as a citizen. You'll typically hand a form to someone on your way out. If you indicate on your declaration form that you have more than the duty free allowance, then you'll have to go deal with paying duty. Another poster is correct: they'll generally wave you through. Neither my nor I have never been inspected after many many trips to Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

3) No, no customs on layovers in between. We went from Seattle to Rome via London, and actually left Heathrow (LHR) to go into the city. (Funny story.) We did have to go through passport control (Immigration), but not customs in the UK. If you're in transit and don't leave the controlled area, you're fine.

Also, important to distinguish between customs, immigration (passport control), and security. Each airport is different in immigration and security. Follow the crowd and baa like a sheep, you'll do fine.

4) WDWSOS is correct. When we've come back to the US and had a stop before getting to Seattle, we go through customs in the first city we land: Chicago, Dallas, Miami...

The big key I've learned: if you don't know, as the flight attendant; they always know what you need to do.

 

[zachsmomie]

It would be helpful if you used your actual flights and connections because it often depends on the specific airport.

Ok...so one of the flight possibilites I have found as I play around with things would go like this:
OUTBOUND:
BAltimore to Detroit (layover 1 hr 7 min) to Amsterdam (layover 1 hr 45 min) to Rome
RETURNING
Venice to Amsterdam (layover 1 hr 15 min) to Detroit (3hr 15 min) to Baltimore

Now I am soo confused and need to learn what these terms are: customs, immigration (passport control), and security and how they differ.

Can you give me an idea of what we would do where and if they "layover time" would give us the time needed to complete whatever it is we need to do at that particular airport? I know that sounds vague but my head is spinning. This is our first international flying experience.

Thanks again.

 

[bavaria]

Different airports have different connection times. If you are booking via a travel agent or airline website, they will only book 'legal' connections. But legal connections can still be difficult; I like more than the legal hour at FRA for instance to buy some water and chocolate, and have a cigarette, and I don't need to worry about the long line that non-EU residents have. FRA can have some very long walks, as can AMS. I try and connect in MUC when I can if I am flying onwards to Asia or another European destination from North America.

I also like to leave myself time if I am unfamiliar with the airport, or if the airport is interesting. I purposely booked myself a longer layover in ZRH this week as they have good shopping.

 

[DaddyBrady]

So zachsmommie, I hope I haven't made it too confusing. First, "security" is simply security like you're used to in the US, the walk-through screening. In some international airports, however, there may be a secondary screening. For example, in Amsterdam you'll go up one at time and they'll ask you about your trip, where you went, who you were with, did you travel together, etc. Sometimes they do this at the gate, sometimes at check-in.

Immigration is where you will stop and show your passport and they'll decide if they're going to let you into the country.

Customs is where you will stop to "declare" whether you have any goods you're bringing into the country on which you need to pay tax. There is almost always a form you complete to itemize any goods you're bringing in, and handing that form over is usually all there is to it. (Many times I've never even been asked for this form.)

Every airport is different in its physical layout and procedures, but we can make some generalizations using your examples. When you leave Baltimore to go to Rome via Detroit and Amsterday, you'll check your bags all the way through to Rome. You'll fly from Baltimore to Detroit then transfer to your flight to AMS. Probably you'll arrive and leave from the same terminal and won't leave the secured area. If you're changing airlines, however, sometimes you might leave one terminal and go to another and will have to go through security again.

In AMS, you will follow signs for passengers in transit, meaning you're not staying in The Netherlands. This keeps you both within the secured area and before you would go through Immigation. (My partner and I debated a little whether you would go through Immigation in AMS. He says no, I'm not so sure. Just follow the herd.)

When you arrive in Rome, if you didn't go through Immigration in Amsterdam you definitely will there. There will be at least two lines, possibly three (can't remember, it's been a few years since we were last there). One line will be for European Union (EU) residents. If there are two others, one will likely be for US residents and others who don't need a visa to enter Italy and then if there's a third, it will be for people who do need a visa.

After Immigation, where they'll stamp your passport (or not, if they're bored), you'll go to baggage claim, retrieve your luggage, and go through the final checkpoint, Customs. If all you're bringining into the country is personal goods, this is basically a walk through. We have never, in years of international travel, been stopped anywhere on four continents.

Coming back to the US is very much the same, with one difference. You'll go through Immigration and Customs in whatever is the first city you arrive at in the US. So, in your example, you'd go through Immigration in Detroit. You'd then pick up your bags, go through Customs, and then would give your bags back to be put on your flight home to Baltimore.

In some airports, when you leave Customs you're still inside the secure area (Seattle works this way, for example). In other airports, when you leave Customs you're outside security (Miami, for instance), so you will have to go through security again (one of many reasons to avoid MIA).

Now, some advice: try to minimize the number of connections you make. Every connection is an opportunity for a delayed flight to wreck havoc with your trip and/or your bags to get separated. Although certainly things will depend on cost and whether you have specific airlines you try to fly due to frequent flyer preferences, you could straight to Rome from Dulles on United and make your life a heckuva lot easier.

Hope this helps demistify things a bit. It's not as complicated as it may sound, and not at all scary.

 

[zachsmomie]

So zachsmommie, I hope I haven't made it too confusing. First, "security" is simply security like you're used to in the US, the walk-through screening. In some international airports, however, there may be a secondary screening. For example, in Amsterdam you'll go up one at time and they'll ask you about your trip, where you went, who you were with, did you travel together, etc. Sometimes they do this at the gate, sometimes at check-in.

Immigration is where you will stop and show your passport and they'll decide if they're going to let you into the country.

Customs is where you will stop to "declare" whether you have any goods you're bringing into the country on which you need to pay tax. There is almost always a form you complete to itemize any goods you're bringing in, and handing that form over is usually all there is to it. (Many times I've never even been asked for this form.)

Every airport is different in its physical layout and procedures, but we can make some generalizations using your examples. When you leave Baltimore to go to Rome via Detroit and Amsterday, you'll check your bags all the way through to Rome. You'll fly from Baltimore to Detroit then transfer to your flight to AMS. Probably you'll arrive and leave from the same terminal and won't leave the secured area. If you're changing airlines, however, sometimes you might leave one terminal and go to another and will have to go through security again.

In AMS, you will follow signs for passengers in transit, meaning you're not staying in The Netherlands. This keeps you both within the secured area and before you would go through Immigation. (My partner and I debated a little whether you would go through Immigation in AMS. He says no, I'm not so sure. Just follow the herd.)

When you arrive in Rome, if you didn't go through Immigration in Amsterdam you definitely will there. There will be at least two lines, possibly three (can't remember, it's been a few years since we were last there). One line will be for European Union (EU) residents. If there are two others, one will likely be for US residents and others who don't need a visa to enter Italy and then if there's a third, it will be for people who do need a visa.

After Immigation, where they'll stamp your passport (or not, if they're bored), you'll go to baggage claim, retrieve your luggage, and go through the final checkpoint, Customs. If all you're bringining into the country is personal goods, this is basically a walk through. We have never, in years of international travel, been stopped anywhere on four continents.

Coming back to the US is very much the same, with one difference. You'll go through Immigration and Customs in whatever is the first city you arrive at in the US. So, in your example, you'd go through Immigration in Detroit. You'd then pick up your bags, go through Customs, and then would give your bags back to be put on your flight home to Baltimore.

In some airports, when you leave Customs you're still inside the secure area (Seattle works this way, for example). In other airports, when you leave Customs you're outside security (Miami, for instance), so you will have to go through security again (one of many reasons to avoid MIA).

Now, some advice: try to minimize the number of connections you make. Every connection is an opportunity for a delayed flight to wreck havoc with your trip and/or your bags to get separated. Although certainly things will depend on cost and whether you have specific airlines you try to fly due to frequent flyer preferences, you could straight to Rome from Dulles on United and make your life a heckuva lot easier.

Hope this helps demistify things a bit. It's not as complicated as it may sound, and not at all scary.

Clear as mud Seriously, it does make some more sense. I appreciate your time and response.

 

[PiperPilot]

It sounds like you are flying Northwest Airlines or one of it's partner airlines. We used NWA on our Italy trip this year. Our inbound flight was slightly different since we had a weekend stopover in London before we went to Rome. But we did fly from Detroit to Amsterdam and connected to London.

You should receive all of your tickets in Baltimore for all connections. Your baggage will be automatically checked through to your final destination. You will not see your luggage again (hopefully until Rome.

Not to make things complex, but there are different procedures at AMS for Departures depending upon which Hall you are in (i.e. based upon your destination). My memory is that in AMS after arrival, you will pass through Immigration and show your passport. No declaration for customs is necessary and you will NOT collect your baggage. You will walk up to a central area that has many large shops, restaurants, and even a casino. Departure gates can be accessed directly by walking.

Our Departure gate had it's own X-ray machine and a holding area. People queue up outside the gate holding area single-file. I did not see any preference given to folks with Business Class tickets for boarding. Your carry-on luggage will be screened through the X-ray machine at the gate.

Arriving in Roma, you will go through Immigration Control and then wait for 40 to 60 minutes for your luggage at baggage claim. Things move very slowly in Italy. I was surprised that the ABD representative was allowed into the baggage claim area and hence I wasn't looking for her while we patiently waited for the luggage. We did have a nice conversation with a British Airways flight attendant who lives in Rome.



-- Return trip home:

KLM/NWA basically has two flights from Venice to Amsterdam (6:20 am or 12:00 noon). We flew the early morning flight.

The Venice Marco Polo airport operates a little different than many other airports. The ticket counter where you must first check-in will not open for your specific flight until 2 hours before your flight time. You can arrive 4 hours early, but you will not be able to go to the ticket counter until 2 hours before your flight. There are electronic sign boards that indicate when your flight is ready for check-in. I would try to be there at least 2 hours before departure.

We left the Hotel Dei Dogi at 3:55 am by private water taxi and arrived at the airport dock at 4:10 am. We were the only boat on the water (read: zoooom!). There was a driver and a van waiting for us at the airport boat dock who drove us for 90 seconds (yes, 90 seconds) to the front of the airport. There is a walkway from the boat dock to the airport, but apparently ABD feels it is too far for Americans to walk (puzzling, after having walked all over Rome, Florence, and Venice).

The Venice Marco Polo Airport does not really open until 4:30 am. The doors are open for entry, but there aren't any ticket counters, etc. open before 4:30. There is a large electronic board in front of you as you enter the airport. The board will tell you which ticket counter to go to for your flight number (KLM/NWA is on the left). Expect the gate number to appear at about 2 hours before departure.

After checking in at the ticket counter and giving them your luggage, you will then pass through security. Security moves very very slow. The good news is that if your luggage makes it on the plane they will hold the plane's departure until you board. International planes won't depart with extra luggage. They have to unload the extra luggage (or wait for the passengers, which is what they do).

When you arrive in Amsterdam, you will pass through Immigration Control again where they will check your passport. You can then walk to the central shopping area.

Now here's where things change. For the departure flight from AMS to DTW you will go through a personal interview at the departure gate. You will queue up outside the gate area and then family-by-family you will be interviewed by a security agent. They may ask very detailed questions about your vacation, how your luggage was handled, etc. Has your luggage always been in your possession? Did a Bellman assist you? (Hint: Then it hasn't always been in your control.)

After the interview, your carry-on luggage will pass through an X-ray machine and you will be herded into a small holding area.

If you need help, just ask one of the friendly people in the Sky Blue KLM uniforms in AMS. It is highly likely they will speak excellent English.

Arriving in Detroit, you will collect your luggage and go through customs. You will present your passport and declaration form listing all of the things that you purchased.

It sounds daunting, but as someone previously stated: Just follow the herd. Look for people with dark blue passports and do what they do. If everybody around you has a maroon passport, you are likely in the wrong line.

 

[crashbb]

3) No, no customs on layovers in between. We went from Seattle to Rome via London, and actually left Heathrow (LHR) to go into the city. (Funny story.) We did have to go through passport control (Immigration), but not customs in the UK. If you're in transit and don't leave the controlled area, you're fine.

It is actually possible that you did go through customs at LHR (I've never been able to leave the LHR without doing so). However, there generally isn't actually anyone you need to talk to or show something to - you just go under through the green hall (labeled nothing to declare) once you've grabbed your suitcase. It doesn't even seem like you are going anything - though you may randomly (or not so randomly) get pulled aside (in over 20 flights into LHR, I've never been pulled aside). The same system holds true in many European airports.