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Just thought I'd report an experience in transiting the US which I found unusual - info may or may not be new, but I hadn't heard it before.
I am flying Buenos Aires - xHouston - Calgary on United. On check-in at EZE, I got both boarding passes and the one IAH-YYC had a lime green 'T' sticker on it. The check-in agent said I did not need to collect bags at Houston, as I was in international transit. I thought this was wrong at the time (in light of experience in transiting to YYC via LAX), but went with the flow.
This is what happened. The Purser-type on the UA flight announced that EVERYONE should be able to go through immigration kiosks (and they handed the blue customs forms out 'just in case') and EVERYONE had to collect bags in Houston before going on to their connecting flight.
Ah, I thought - I was right.
No. There was a sign as I walked the corridor towards the immigration hall indicating that HLO or green 'T' holders should go straight to some counter (can't remember). That was the last time I saw any indication of green 'T'.
I went through manual immigration process - the only kiosks I saw were several banks marked 'Global Entry only', with no-one using them. Then I followed the flow to the baggage hall. Again, no indication about green 'T' . I asked an officer - she said that the exemption from having to collect bags when transiting (I think she said 'to Canada') was for United flights (only). I had to join the long-ish customs queue like everyone else; the customs officer just took my form and waived me through.
YMMV; I hope it applies more widely.
I am flying Buenos Aires - xHouston - Calgary on United. On check-in at EZE, I got both boarding passes and the one IAH-YYC had a lime green 'T' sticker on it. The check-in agent said I did not need to collect bags at Houston, as I was in international transit. I thought this was wrong at the time (in light of experience in transiting to YYC via LAX), but went with the flow.
This is what happened. The Purser-type on the UA flight announced that EVERYONE should be able to go through immigration kiosks (and they handed the blue customs forms out 'just in case') and EVERYONE had to collect bags in Houston before going on to their connecting flight.
Ah, I thought - I was right.
No. There was a sign as I walked the corridor towards the immigration hall indicating that HLO or green 'T' holders should go straight to some counter (can't remember). That was the last time I saw any indication of green 'T'.
I went through manual immigration process - the only kiosks I saw were several banks marked 'Global Entry only', with no-one using them. Then I followed the flow to the baggage hall. Again, no indication about green 'T' . I asked an officer - she said that the exemption from having to collect bags when transiting (I think she said 'to Canada') was for United flights (only). I had to join the long-ish customs queue like everyone else; the customs officer just took my form and waived me through.
YMMV; I hope it applies more widely.
