Non direct flights..

[missnic07]

We fly on Sunday. We're flying from Shannon (Ireland), to Chicago where we change planes a few hours later and then go to MCO.
I was wondering, when we get off the plane in Chicago, do we have to collect our luggage or will it automatically go onto the next flight?
I'm sure they will tell us this at the airport, but I would like to know in advance

 

[wayneg]

You collect your luggage then drop again going out.
Coming home it goes straight thru.

I find they rarely tell you, they just expect you to know.

 

[missnic07]

You collect your luggage then drop again going out. Coming home it goes straight thru. I find they rarely tell you, they just expect you to know.

So I collect it from baggage reclaim, and then do we have to go to the check in desks again to drop it off?
How come we don't have to collect it going home?
Thanks for letting me know because I would have just assumed we wouldn't have to collect it. That would have been a great start to the holiday lol.

 

[mumto2]

You will collect it to clear customs (after clearing immigration), then drop it back off. In my experience, it can be a little hectic and/or difficult to manuever as people don't always get in line nicely - more of a horde. However, since your layover is several hours, you can be patient and let them get out of your way, which makes it easier for you.

On the way home, you don't have to clear customs in the US, so once you check you bags in Orlando, you are done with them until you land at home.

Have a great trip!

 

[wayneg]

So I collect it from baggage reclaim, and then do we have to go to the check in desks again to drop it off?
How come we don't have to collect it going home?
Thanks for letting me know because I would have just assumed we wouldn't have to collect it. That would have been a great start to the holiday lol.

It has to be screened by US security before going on the 2nd flight. Coming home its already been checked for your first flight so no need for the 2nd.

Once you collect it there is a bag drop not too far away, its easy enough.

 

[missnic07]

Thank you Wayne!

 

[pad406]

I would double check that when you check in, as flying through Shannon you clear US customs and immigration in Shannon, you basically arrive in the US as a domestic traveller. We've always been asked to confirm our baggage in Ireland. Advice I have been given on indirect flights (we haven't done before, always direct) was that baggage would be checked through as we pre-cleared. Sorry to throw a spanner in the works.

 

[chmurf]

PP is correct

if you pre-clear immigration and customs at DUB then you don't collect bags nor go through immigration and customs at Chicago, as you're arriving as a domestic passenger

 

[missnic07]

Thanks everyone. I think we clear immigration in Shannon, so I will double check just to be safe

 

[wayneg]

Sorry I did not know they had started doing all flights to US as pre clearance. When we flew from Ireland it was only the odd flight, not to Chicago. Looks like all flights now (with Aer Lingus at least)
So yes if you do pre clearance you won't collect luggage, it will go straight thru both ways.

 

[missnic07]

Sorry I did not know they had started doing all flights to US as pre clearance. When we flew from Ireland it was only the odd flight, not to Chicago. Looks like all flights now (with Aer Lingus at least) So yes if you do pre clearance you won't collect luggage, it will go straight thru both ways.

I'm flying with United Airlines, so they may not do it. I guess we'll find out on Sunday lol.

 

[wayneg]

http://www.shannonairport.ie/gns/Passengers/Prepare/us-preclearance.aspx

All info here on Shannon airport's website.

 

[missnic07]

http://www.shannonairport.ie/gns/Passengers/Prepare/us-preclearance.aspx All info here on Shannon airport's website.

Thankyou! Looks like we can clear immigration there then. That's good