Return to US questios - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

hotcoffee · June 27, 2009, 11:45 PM

We are coming up to our first trip to the Caribbean (Aruba), and I suddenly have some questions for you experienced travelers I had not completely thought through when I made the reservations.

1. We are connecting through Charlotte, NC, and I assume that we will go through US Customers upon our arrival at Charlotte. According to our airline itinerary, there is 1 hour and 45 minutes between our arrival at Charlotte and our connecting flight home. Is that cutting it close in terms of time?
2. Do we have to retrieve our luggage upon our arrival at Charlotte to take through Customs and then recheck it? If so, does that mean we have to go back to the ticket desk as if we were just arriving at the airport?

Any travel tips would be appreciated.

isisdave · June 28, 2009, 12:38 AM

According to http://www.arubabound.com/packing/govt_info.htm , you will clear US Immigration and Customs at the airport in Aruba. This is a fairly common arrangement for returning to the US from several Caribbean countries, and Canada as well.

Someone who has actually done this will probably confirm this shortly.

Passepartout · June 28, 2009, 12:53 AM

Even if you are clearing customs and immigration in Charlotte, you will just re-check your bags near the exit from customs and go through security on the way to your departure gate. 1:45 should allow plenty of time.

Jim Ricks

Gemini3 · June 28, 2009, 12:54 AM

hotcoffee,

1. You will be pleased to know you will go through customs in Aruba before you leave the island. Your connection should be no problem.

2. If you did have customs back in the US, they have a check in for connecting flights after you clear so no, you don't go back to the gate unless you are changing airlines. You do go through TSA screening for carry-on and personal items before entering the sterile area of a US airport.

Enjoy your trip.

hotcoffee · June 28, 2009, 11:44 AM

Thanks for the responses. I usually research first and then ask questions when I can't find all of the answers. This time, I asked first, and researched afterward. It was after I asked that I got the bright idea to search the Internet for the answer. I quickly discovered that Aruba has a US Customs service at their airport.

Even so, some of the answers were enlightening because there is a probablility that some of my Hawaiian vacations of the future might be Caribbean vacations instead. I am growing weary of those long and expensive flights from the east coast of the US. This time it is Aruba, next time it is likely to be somewhere in the Caribbean again. Sooner or later I might well run into having to go through customs at a connecting airport in the US, and I have been curious about how luggage is handled in that situation.

Karen G · June 28, 2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotcoffee

Sooner or later I might well run into having to go through customs at a connecting airport in the US, and I have been curious about how luggage is handled in that situation.

When we have cleared customs in San Diego and LA on return flights from Mexico and connecting flights to somewhere else, the procedures have been very efficient.

We clear customs ourselves by going through the lines and speaking with an agent and showing our passports. Then we retrieve our luggage nearby and place it on a moving belt that takes it through an x-ray machine. We retrieve it from the machine and take it to an agent who is also nearby & it is taken to our next flight. Then we go to whatever gate we need for the next leg.

If you are ticketed all the way through on your connecting flight, the airline is well aware of your connection time & having to clear customs. The only way it would be a problem, I think, is if you have tickets on different airlines that are ticketed separately and there is a delay in the first leg. If the same airline is handling your luggage and flights it shouldn't be a problem.

lvhmbh · June 29, 2009, 09:15 AM

We have been clearing customs in Aruba for quite a few years now. You MUST go to the ticket counter to check in - don't bother printing boarding passes - they won't use them and you can't just enter the airport with them. At the ticket counter you will be handed a customs form to fill out. Before you enter the departure terminal there will be an airport/security person who will check you passport and customs form (fill it out before you go to him - I do it at an unoccupied counter in the ticket area) and then you enter the building to immediately go through immigration. You will then go through security (remove shoes, etc.) and then you go to the baggage carousels to get your luggage. You carry them past a security area (they can ask to look in them) and then put them on a baggage belt to go out to the plane (there are plenty of carts for your luggage inside). You then go through security once again and proceed to your gate. If there are alot of people it can take a while. We always get to the airport early (although if it is an early flight check to see when the ticket counter will be open/manned) so we don't have to buck large crowds. Linda

dougef · June 29, 2009, 09:47 AM

They typically advise in Aruba to be at the airport 3 hours ahead of your flight. Usually that is too much time and you will be sitting around a long time at the gate. BUT - on one of our four trips we needed all that time. The line for security was unbelievable and took well over one hour just for that first security check.

hotcoffee · June 29, 2009, 06:37 PM

Thanks for all the good information. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending upon how one likes waiting), our departure flight is scheduled for 4:35 PM, and check-out time at the Surf Club is supposed to be 10:00 AM. So, there will be lots of time.

pedro47 · June 29, 2009, 07:49 PM

I would suggest you arrive at the airport early to have your bags check and to pass through all the security points to enter the airport.

Some international airports checkpoint are not as fast as some American TSA checkpoints.

silverfox82 · June 29, 2009, 09:56 PM

Just did it sat so its fresh in my mind. 1st stop is the ticket counter for boarding passes. Next you get your exit stamp in the passport by aruba imigration and go thru aruba security screening. You are now in the general departure area where you can fill out your us c+i form before heading to the US departure area where you will go thru US c+i and possibly an agriculture check. Next is US security where you repeat the shoes off, laptops out and you are done. Saturdays are a bad day so leave plenty of time 2 1/2-3 hours to be safe. BTW, TSA has there own set of rules there and will confiscate items that are clearly legal to take aboard, if you complain they will take your boarding pass and make a notation on a clipboard, for what reason I don't know but suspect I will find out next time I fly because they did it to me. There are also many reports on aruba travel sites about checked luggage being rifled but with so many different people handling it it would be difficult to assign blame.

June 27, 2009, 11:45 PM	#1
hotcoffee TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jul 16, 08 Location: Hanover, MD Posts: 106 Resorts: Marriott Kauai Beach Club	Return to US questios We are coming up to our first trip to the Caribbean (Aruba), and I suddenly have some questions for you experienced travelers I had not completely thought through when I made the reservations. 1. We are connecting through Charlotte, NC, and I assume that we will go through US Customers upon our arrival at Charlotte. According to our airline itinerary, there is 1 hour and 45 minutes between our arrival at Charlotte and our connecting flight home. Is that cutting it close in terms of time? 2. Do we have to retrieve our luggage upon our arrival at Charlotte to take through Customs and then recheck it? If so, does that mean we have to go back to the ticket desk as if we were just arriving at the airport? Any travel tips would be appreciated.

June 28, 2009, 12:53 AM	#3
Passepartout TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Feb 10, 07 Location: Twin Falls, ID Posts: 1,696 Resorts: RCI Points- VRI Villas of Sedona, MROP rotator	Even if you are clearing customs and immigration in Charlotte, you will just re-check your bags near the exit from customs and go through security on the way to your departure gate. 1:45 should allow plenty of time. Jim Ricks __________________ Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.... Mark Twain

June 28, 2009, 12:54 AM	#4
Gemini3 Guest BBS Reg. Date: Mar 2, 09 Location: Rocky Mtns Posts: 3 Resorts: Starwood -Desert Oasis, Mountain Vista, WKORVN Mexico -Playa Grande	clear customs in Aruba hotcoffee, 1. You will be pleased to know you will go through customs in Aruba before you leave the island. Your connection should be no problem. 2. If you did have customs back in the US, they have a check in for connecting flights after you clear so no, you don't go back to the gate unless you are changing airlines. You do go through TSA screening for carry-on and personal items before entering the sterile area of a US airport. Enjoy your trip.

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June 28, 2009, 12:38 AM	#2
isisdave TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Murrieta CA Posts: 461 Resorts: Marriott Newport Coast, Marriott Waiohai	According to http://www.arubabound.com/packing/govt_info.htm , you will clear US Immigration and Customs at the airport in Aruba. This is a fairly common arrangement for returning to the US from several Caribbean countries, and Canada as well. Someone who has actually done this will probably confirm this shortly.

June 28, 2009, 11:44 AM	#5
hotcoffee TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jul 16, 08 Location: Hanover, MD Posts: 106 Resorts: Marriott Kauai Beach Club	Thanks for the responses. I usually research first and then ask questions when I can't find all of the answers. This time, I asked first, and researched afterward. It was after I asked that I got the bright idea to search the Internet for the answer. I quickly discovered that Aruba has a US Customs service at their airport. Even so, some of the answers were enlightening because there is a probablility that some of my Hawaiian vacations of the future might be Caribbean vacations instead. I am growing weary of those long and expensive flights from the east coast of the US. This time it is Aruba, next time it is likely to be somewhere in the Caribbean again. Sooner or later I might well run into having to go through customs at a connecting airport in the US, and I have been curious about how luggage is handled in that situation.

June 29, 2009, 09:15 AM	#7
lvhmbh TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 734 Resorts: Bluebeard's Castle, STT Vistana Resort, Orlando Costa Linda, Aruba	We have been clearing customs in Aruba for quite a few years now. You MUST go to the ticket counter to check in - don't bother printing boarding passes - they won't use them and you can't just enter the airport with them. At the ticket counter you will be handed a customs form to fill out. Before you enter the departure terminal there will be an airport/security person who will check you passport and customs form (fill it out before you go to him - I do it at an unoccupied counter in the ticket area) and then you enter the building to immediately go through immigration. You will then go through security (remove shoes, etc.) and then you go to the baggage carousels to get your luggage. You carry them past a security area (they can ask to look in them) and then put them on a baggage belt to go out to the plane (there are plenty of carts for your luggage inside). You then go through security once again and proceed to your gate. If there are alot of people it can take a while. We always get to the airport early (although if it is an early flight check to see when the ticket counter will be open/manned) so we don't have to buck large crowds. Linda

June 29, 2009, 09:47 AM	#8
dougef TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: CT Posts: 288 Resorts: Marriott Ocean Pointe Marriott Grande Vista	They typically advise in Aruba to be at the airport 3 hours ahead of your flight. Usually that is too much time and you will be sitting around a long time at the gate. BUT - on one of our four trips we needed all that time. The line for security was unbelievable and took well over one hour just for that first security check.

June 29, 2009, 06:37 PM	#9
hotcoffee TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jul 16, 08 Location: Hanover, MD Posts: 106 Resorts: Marriott Kauai Beach Club	Thanks for all the good information. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending upon how one likes waiting), our departure flight is scheduled for 4:35 PM, and check-out time at the Surf Club is supposed to be 10:00 AM. So, there will be lots of time.

June 29, 2009, 07:49 PM	#10
pedro47 TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: East Coast Posts: 1,548	I would suggest you arrive at the airport early to have your bags check and to pass through all the security points to enter the airport. Some international airports checkpoint are not as fast as some American TSA checkpoints.

June 29, 2009, 09:56 PM	#11
silverfox82 TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 7, 05 Location: pt lookout, ny Posts: 294	Just did it sat so its fresh in my mind. 1st stop is the ticket counter for boarding passes. Next you get your exit stamp in the passport by aruba imigration and go thru aruba security screening. You are now in the general departure area where you can fill out your us c+i form before heading to the US departure area where you will go thru US c+i and possibly an agriculture check. Next is US security where you repeat the shoes off, laptops out and you are done. Saturdays are a bad day so leave plenty of time 2 1/2-3 hours to be safe. BTW, TSA has there own set of rules there and will confiscate items that are clearly legal to take aboard, if you complain they will take your boarding pass and make a notation on a clipboard, for what reason I don't know but suspect I will find out next time I fly because they did it to me. There are also many reports on aruba travel sites about checked luggage being rifled but with so many different people handling it it would be difficult to assign blame.