Dallas/Fort Worth Transit Times

[serfty]

Good to read about the faster processing. What time and day did your flight arrive?

Back in July I took 100 minutes to get through:

I arrived into DFW late last month on QF7:

• Arrived at 2:20pm (30 minutes late.)
• Was at Non US Citizens immigration Queue 2:27pm.
• Arrived baggage hall at 3:20pm (no checked luggage).
• Exited customs to Baggage Transfer 3:40pm.

The citizens queue was larger but seemed to move faster.

My Flight was 30 minutes late and AAgents were moving through the queue doing a kind of "Triage"; those looking like missing their connection (within ~45 minutes) were taken strait to the front; others with time not so pressing were given yellow AA transit folders for express customs but left in immigration.

I was envious of those with Global Entry as they would have been through the lot in less than ten minutes.

 

[nonpop]

Good to read about the faster processing. What time and day did your flight arrive?
Back in July I took 100 minutes to get through:

We hit the ground on time 13:50 Monday afternoon and exited the boat just on 14:00 if memory serves me correct. We were late departing Syd due to nav computer issue - they needed to swap something out then reboot it and then do paperwork - or so Mr Captain advised us. I think we were about 15 - 20 mins late departing - but by then I was struggling to know what day of the week it was (which was my plan - either planned or not it seems to end up being the plan).

My next AA flight (a grand old MD80 - hunk of junk) departed 15:30 and commenced boarding 15:00. And we got the wonderful warm nuts and a drink almost thrown at us. Then a 2nd round and a cookie on a plate - a very sad cookie at that. The inflight WiFi is interesting - worked well enough.

And if we thought QF domestic inflight service was hit and miss ... I always find AA domestic more miss than hit.

But I'm still very impressed with DFW.
I was expecting a complete drama with Columbus day people returning, yet they managed very well indeed.
So DFW has my money for now - though I am considering trying Atlanta with Delta.

 

[serfty]

...
My next AA flight (a grand old MD80 - hunk of junk) departed 15:30 and commenced boarding 15:00. ...

I presume your flights were on the same booking.

Going by my one experience I would have missed that 3:30pm flight.

I'm doing it again later this month - my onward flight is scheduled for 18:15 ...

 

[nonpop]

I presume your flights were on the same booking.
Going by my one experience I would have missed that 3:30pm flight.
I'm doing it again later this month - my onward flight is scheduled for 18:15 ...

Yes it was ... so I guess I had a fail-safe.

Unless the incoming QF bird is late, I can't see the issue.
Seeing DFW going full-on busy due to last day of 3 day long weekend, it seemed to be working fine.
Though we can never account for a late in-bound or a airport system failure.

Personally I like to live on the edge

 

[_TheTraveller_]

DFW Immigration and Customs

Hows immigration and customs at DFW? Is it efficient and they dont dick you around like LAX? I have a connecting flight to PHL at 3:15 not sure if I have enough time...

 

[Ewing]

Re: DFW Immigration and Customs

I thought it was great, but like any other airport (LAX included) your experience can also vary based on where you're sitting on the aircraft (ie: how many people get off before you), and if any flights have landed just before yours.

The CBP guy that I got asked me "Do you work in IT?". I responded "Yes" (which is true). He responded "enjoy your stay" and sent me on my way

 

[NM]

Re: DFW Immigration and Customs

When I have been through, immigration was quick and painless, but customs had a long queue even though they were not inspecting all bags

 

[flyingfan]

Re: DFW Immigration and Customs

I remember quite a long walk (up and down escalators?) from the gate to the immigration desks then to the baggage carousels. The immigration queue was short but unlike the "pump them through" immigration of many other countries, the officer didn't seem in a hurry, asking nicely what I was up to and for my itinerary. He was very polite. I was probably there for about four minutes, some of which was spent because I hadn't gotten the green card properly removed (lack of experience). Bags available straight away and out the door straight away. This is from my one experience arriving internationally at DFW.

 

[serfty]

Re: DFW Immigration and Customs

I've merged this thread with an existing thread; lots more information in previous psots.

 

[nonpop]

Re: DFW Immigration and Customs

DFW is now my gateway of choice for the US of A.
IMHO much better than LAX.
Have used it several times now and everything seems to work.

However; I am experimenting with entering the US via NRT as this then means a skybed type seat all the way to my destination (ORD) and no worries of cancelled domestic flights. Plus I am surprised at how much cheaper it is as well.

 

[diningdecadence]

Re: DFW Immigration and Customs

hi guys,

have an upcoming flight through DFW transiting through to a further destination. Was planning on picking up some wine at duty free to take as a gift - is this going to be an issue liquids wise? i can't remember whether i was re-screened before transiting last year. Will i need to re-pack it into checked luggage before the connecting flight, or will it be fine hand luggage?

Cheers

 

[Timtammi]

Re: DFW Immigration and Customs

However; I am experimenting with entering the US via NRT as this then means a skybed type seat all the way to my destination (ORD) and no worries of cancelled domestic flights. Plus I am surprised at how much cheaper it is as well.

Can you please elaborate on the above? This is an option I would like to explore as well. What options were cheaper?

 

[serfty]

Re: DFW Immigration and Customs

hi guys,

have an upcoming flight through DFW transiting through to a further destination. ...

Presumably SYD-xDFW- ...

After customs/immigration at DFW you will be landside and you will need to re-submit to security screening before your ongoing flight.

Any wine you have in your possession will need to be put into your bags before you re-check them. (The recheck is after customs but Before you exit landside).

So: landing->immigration->collect bags->customs->put wine in checked bags->recheck bags at bag drop->exit to landside arrivals->re-clear security->departures airside->fly off ...

 

[drron]

Re: DFW Immigration and Customs

We have used the via NRT,HKG to the USA for the last 10 years.Much preferable.Unfortunately since JAL stopped their BNE-NRT sector the connections aren't good.However we always enjoy a few days in Japan.
Flying to ORD,JFK from NRT is a breeze.From April JAL is meant to start a BOS flight as well.

 

[Moody]

Re: DFW Immigration and Customs

Presumably SYD-xDFW- ...

After customs/immigration at DFW you will be landside and you will need to re-submit to security screening before your ongoing flight.

Any wine you have in your possession will need to be put into your bags before you re-check them. (The recheck is after customs but Before you exit landside).

So: landing->immigration->collect bags->customs->put wine in checked bags->recheck bags at bag drop->exit to landside arrivals->re-clear security->departures airside->fly off ...

Do people other than tourists actually buy wine duty free in Oz? Much cheaper and easier to pick it up at DM or your favourite discount liquor store and pack it in your checked luggage. Doing the repack at DFW of overprice DF wine does not appeal to me.

 

[docjames]

Re: DFW Immigration and Customs

We have used the via NRT,HKG to the USA for the last 10 years.Much preferable.Unfortunately since JAL stopped their BNE-NRT sector the connections aren't good.However we always enjoy a few days in Japan.
Flying to ORD,JFK from NRT is a breeze.From April JAL is meant to start a BOS flight as well.

Any tips to SFO to avoid LAX?

 

[serfty]

Re: DFW Immigration and Customs

Do people other than tourists actually buy wine duty free in Oz? Much cheaper and easier to pick it up at DM or your favourite discount liquor store and pack it in your checked luggage. Doing the repack at DFW of overprice DF wine does not appeal to me.

Personally I have no idea - I assumed it would be in Oz as there's no duty free before the bag drop.

Even then I'm not sure DF liquids > 100 ml can be taken on board USA flights.

 

[Moody]

Re: DFW Immigration and Customs

Personally I have no idea - I assumed it would be in Oz as there's no duty free before the bag drop.

Even then I'm not sure DF liquids > 100 ml can be taken on board USA flights.

No - I think I wasn't clear enough. When I happen to glance at the price of duty free wine at Sydney airport (when purchasing the 2 litres of gin for my wife) I am certainly not tempted to buy any. On average it seems to be 15 - 20 percent above the standard discount price, so IF I ever wanted to take wine overseas I would pre-purchase and pre-pack it in my checked luggage. Saves money and the hassle of carrying/repacking it en-route.

 

[Tooner]

Re: DFW Immigration and Customs

I thought it was great, but like any other airport (LAX included) your experience can also vary based on where you're sitting on the aircraft (ie: how many people get off before you), and if any flights have landed just before yours.

Interesting; I'm booked to DFW on QF7 and then to LGA at 3:30pm, so in Serfty's initial experience it is too tight, but more recent experience is OK provided you're quick out of the plane etc.

Has anyone else done this connection recently?

Cheers

 

[serfty]

That certainly is tight. Remember, AA flights generally commence boarding 30+ minutes before scheduled departure time.

It won't always happen but be prepared for a longish wait to get through immigration - and then customs. There are queues for both.

For an up to date look at wait time statistics, look here:

Airport Wait Times
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This FT thread may be helpful:

• DFW Terminal D international arrivals: Q&A (merged) - FlyerTalk Forums