SYD-LAX-YVR transit

[dacom]

Flying to Vancouver next week with AA and have 3 hour transit in LAX. Does anyone know if the checked luggage is still required to be picked up and re-checked on International transfers.
Now with the new airbridge open, I'm not sure if this is still a requirement. Some say you do, others say you don't. Trying to get more info. Thanks

 

[SYD]

AA just announced they’re trialling no bag collection at LAX for flights from SYD. Not sure if it includes onwards international connections - so best to ask at checkin.

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/american-airlines-unveils-new-baggage-transfer-breakthrough-to-simplify-sydney-lax-international-connections/

 

[dacom]

Thanks for the info. Very helpful. Looks like my flight SYD to LAX with American Airlines is included. That takes a lot of stress out with only 3 hours transit time.

 

[RooFlyer]

That's great info, thanks @SYD . You would think it would include international connections - if its secure enough to arrive at the US, it should be OK to immediately leave again.

Sort of like CBP 'pre clearance' for bags.

 

[Quickstatus]

That takes a lot of stress out with only 3 hours transit time

Not so fast

CBP's website on IRBS

I think the trial IRBS means that CBP reviews the X-ray images done in SYD before the flight ends

I would not assume that your bags will be "pre-cleared". What happens if CBP are not happy with the images?

 

[SYD]

Not so fast

CBP's website on IRBS

I think the trial IRBS means that CBP reviews the X-ray images done in SYD before the flight ends

I would not assume that your bags will be "pre-cleared". What happens if CBP are not happy with the images?

You get bailed up at PP control. That’s the decision point to head to departures or collect bag?

Otherwise, how would anyone know….

That's great info, thanks @SYD . You would think it would include international connections - if its secure enough to arrive at the US, it should be OK to immediately leave again.

Sort of like CBP 'pre clearance' for bags.

Yeah. I don’t remember where I first saw it reported (possibly another thread here), but that link above was the first decent one that Google threw up.

 

[Quickstatus]

Otherwise, how would anyone know…

Don't know. I would imagine that the passenger will be notified at Passport.

However the bigger problem occurs when the passenger is relying on the checked luggage to be pre-cleared because of a tight connection. If informed that luggage needs to be inspected, that tight connection might be missed. I suspect though that this facility is only available to those with onward sectors in a single AA ticket itineraries.

What happens when a traveller has 2 checked luggage and 1 is not precleared?.
Is the precleared luggage sent onwards and the traveller has to pick up the non precleared one - how would the traveller know that one bag is Ok and the other is not. Does Passport tell them?

Also it's a trial. Who knows what % of checked bags are precleared

 

[Warragul]

What happens when a traveller has 2 checked luggage and 1 is not precleared?.

Common sense says keep the bags together, so even if only one bag is of interest they are kept together. Plus something maybe detected in the process of investigating the bag of interest warranting a check of the other.

 

[Quickstatus]

Common sense

Tends not to be common.

 

[SYD]

Also it's a trial. Who knows what % of checked bags are precleared

Pretty cough trial if it weren’t 100%.

If you read the link you posted, they will access the SYD X-Ray images - presumably using some AI tools. So no reason not to review 100% (plus they have ~14 hrs for closer inspection if needed).

The point of the trial would be to test one trusted city pair with one carrier. It would be brilliant if they extend to QF shortly thereafter.

 

[Quickstatus]

If you read the link you posted, they will access the SYD X-Ray images

Exactly, my point is you won't know if you luggage has precleared until you arrive. As there is a risk that luggage might not precleared, don't think it is wise to rely on it and accept a tight connection.

What is the % of checked luggage that is pulled off for secondary inspection at SYD before departure from SYD?. This metric might give some insight into possible % of pre clearance on arrival

Pretty cough trial if it weren’t 100%.

Not really, that the whole point of a trial. Essentially it is to see if CBP agrees with the assessment of security checks at SYD.

 

[Warragul]

Not really, that the whole point of a trial. Essentially to see if CBP agrees with the assessment of security checks at SYD.

Correct and verifying business processes, technology etc work as expected in 'real' scenarios.

 

[SYD]

Correct and verifying business processes, technology etc work as expected in 'real' scenarios.

In the meantime I suspect that close to 100% of PAX on AA flying SYD-LAX probably will transit without needing to touch there bag(s) connecting.

That’s the desired outcome.

Let’s hope that trial is a success because that will take away one serious pain point on those travelling to / transiting the US.

 

[Quickstatus]

Is there an indication how long the trial will run for?