Transfer in the USA

"Sjoerd" wrote in message
...
The cheapest flight we can find between Amsterdam and Bogota is on Delta
via
Atlanta. I understand we will need to clear US immigration, but do we also
need to pick up our bags and go through customs? Or can the bags be
through-checked to Bogota? Would 2 hours be enough time to make the
connection?

Sjoerd



When I tried to book a similar transfer (LON-USA-LIM) I was told to allow 4
hours (by the airlines), having done several LON-USA-USAinternal 2 hours
should be fine, try not to book on the last ATL-Bogota of the day just in
case of delays. Yes you do have to pick up your bags and check them in
again.

"Miss L. Toe" wrote in


When I tried to book a similar transfer (LON-USA-LIM) I was told to
allow 4 hours (by the airlines), having done several
LON-USA-USAinternal 2 hours should be fine, try not to book on the
last ATL-Bogota of the day just in case of delays. Yes you do have to
pick up your bags and check them in again.




And then clear the bagage search TSA police inspection incase the "lax"
security at AMS forgot to see your uzi. (Actually the rationale I have
heard is that you have had access to your baggage and therefore could have
gotten your weapons out of those.) BIG SMILEY I do not think Sjoerd is a
bad guy.

"jcoulter" wrote in message
6.16...
"Miss L. Toe" wrote in

And then clear the bagage search TSA police inspection incase the "lax"
security at AMS forgot to see your uzi. (Actually the rationale I have
heard is that you have had access to your baggage and therefore could have
gotten your weapons out of those.) BIG SMILEY I do not think Sjoerd is a
bad guy.

Why don't they cut out the need for this security and put the bags through
security without you needing to be present. Most other countries seem to
manage this?

Mark Hewitt wrote:

"jcoulter" wrote in message
6.16...

"Miss L. Toe" wrote in

And then clear the bagage search TSA police inspection incase the "lax"
security at AMS forgot to see your uzi. (Actually the rationale I have
heard is that you have had access to your baggage and therefore could have
gotten your weapons out of those.) BIG SMILEY I do not think Sjoerd is a
bad guy.


Why don't they cut out the need for this security and put the bags through
security without you needing to be present. Most other countries seem to
manage this?

Post 9/11/01, no one is looking to "cut out" security.
This security was added post 9/11. Now you go through the same security
as a passenger that originated in the US.

mrtravel wrote in
m:

Mark Hewitt wrote:

"jcoulter" wrote in message
6.16...

"Miss L. Toe" wrote in

And then clear the bagage search TSA police inspection incase the
"lax" security at AMS forgot to see your uzi. (Actually the rationale
I have heard is that you have had access to your baggage and
therefore could have gotten your weapons out of those.) BIG SMILEY I
do not think Sjoerd is a bad guy.


Why don't they cut out the need for this security and put the bags
through security without you needing to be present. Most other
countries seem to manage this?

Post 9/11/01, no one is looking to "cut out" security.
This security was added post 9/11. Now you go through the same
security as a passenger that originated in the US.



No on two counts, first of all we have required customs inspection for
transit passengers for a long time (ten years that I know of for sure)
secondly the security after customs has been in place also for several
years I first remember it coming back from Belgium on City Bird cause
the checkpoint was at the top of an escalator and there was no where to
go at the top causing some very annoyed upset pax and a dangerous
situation.

"Miss L. Toe" wrote in message ...
"Sjoerd" wrote in message
...
The cheapest flight we can find between Amsterdam and Bogota is on Delta
via
Atlanta. I understand we will need to clear US immigration, but do we also
need to pick up our bags and go through customs? Or can the bags be
through-checked to Bogota? Would 2 hours be enough time to make the
connection?

Sjoerd



When I tried to book a similar transfer (LON-USA-LIM) I was told to allow 4
hours (by the airlines), having done several LON-USA-USAinternal 2 hours
should be fine, try not to book on the last ATL-Bogota of the day just in
case of delays. Yes you do have to pick up your bags and check them in
again.

If Immigration at Atlanta is anything like what I experienced at Logan
(Boston) last July, then you will still be waiting for your
immigration interview when your connecting flight is half-way to
Bogota. Also, check that all members of your party are eligible for
the US visa-waiver program, otherwise they will need US visas in order
to pass through ATL.

Personally, I don't think that any cost-saving would justify the sheer
hassle and unpleasantness of passing through a US airport. Just take
Avianca (my favourite airline) and focus on the beauty of Colombia,
and then the cost will not seem so bad.

david wrote in message . ..

Personally, I don't think that any cost-saving would justify the sheer
hassle and unpleasantness of passing through a US airport.

Not for a couple of hundred $ for sure. Don't know how many options you've
priced out, try Iberia via Madrid or Avianca direct.

"david" schreef in bericht
om...
If Immigration at Atlanta is anything like what I experienced at Logan
(Boston) last July, then you will still be waiting for your
immigration interview when your connecting flight is half-way to
Bogota. Also, check that all members of your party are eligible for
the US visa-waiver program, otherwise they will need US visas in order
to pass through ATL.

No problem we are both Netherlands citizens so we qualify for the US visa
waiver program.

Personally, I don't think that any cost-saving would justify the sheer
hassle and unpleasantness of passing through a US airport. Just take
Avianca (my favourite airline) and focus on the beauty of Colombia,
and then the cost will not seem so bad.

Avianca your favourite airline? I only did a domestic flight Cartagena -
Bogota with them, which I would call "average" when I am in a good mood.

The problem is that our trip will be around Christmas (yes, I know we are
very late in booking a trip for that time of the year), and all European
airlines and Avianca are fully booked. Only Delta and Continental have seats
available.

Sjoerd

On Thu, 9 Oct 2003 08:27:30 -0700, "BrianM" wrote:


david wrote in message . ..

Personally, I don't think that any cost-saving would justify the sheer
hassle and unpleasantness of passing through a US airport.

Not for a couple of hundred $ for sure. Don't know how many options you've
priced out, try Iberia via Madrid or Avianca direct.


Or try via Havana.

Is there any place in the world that is not a "drug" area anymore?


"Sjoerd" wrote in message
...

"Binyamin Dissen" schreef in bericht
...
On Wed, 8 Oct 2003 22:10:31 +0200 "Sjoerd"
wrote:

:The cheapest flight we can find between Amsterdam and Bogota is on
Delta
via
:Atlanta. I understand we will need to clear US immigration, but do we
also
:need to pick up our bags and go through customs? Or can the bags be
:through-checked to Bogota? Would 2 hours be enough time to make the
:connection?

You want to stop in the USA

No, I don't _ want_ to, but the price difference between a flight from
Europe to Colombia and the one on Delta is substantial on the dates we
want
to travel. If the USA was a "normal" country we could remain in the
transit
lounge at Atlanta and would not have to clear US immigration and customs.

between Amsterdam and Bogota, two heavy drug
areas?????

My partner, his family and I have taken many flights before between
Amsterdam and Bogota (and also between Amsterdam and Bangkok, two other
""drug areas") and have seldom been stopped by customs. Customs officers
are
apparently much less simple-minded than you are.

Count on very intrusive screening both ways.

Why?

Sjoerd