Passport Control Wait Times - Useful (maybe) link

[Bobo912]

I noticed today that the departure time for our return flight from Shannon for our ABD next summer had changed and was now leaving 2 hours later than originally scheduled, which left us with a 48 minute layover at JFK. I called Delta today and changed our flight so we now have a 1 hr 54 min layover – hopefully sufficient time to clear immigration and customs without me freaking out. I then began to wonder how long the typical wait might be at JFK and, in the course of a quick Google search, I found the link below. It provides historical data on how long it takes for travelers to clear passport control at major airports in the US. It’s broken down by terminal and shows hourly data, so you can check the time of day when your flight is scheduled to arrive. Of course, it’s historical data, but potentially useful if you just need an idea of how long your wait may be, so I thought I would share.

http://awt.cbp.gov/

 

[sayhello]

Oh! That is really useful. Scary, but useful!

Thanks!
Sayhello

 

[MinionOfMaleficent]

Bobo, unless something has changed, you will actually clear customs and immigration at Shannon. It is one of the airports that the US military goes through on their way back home. When you land at JFK it will be just like coming off a domestic flight, it's lovely. You'll need extra time to get through everything in Shannon but AbD will get you there in plenty of time.

 

[Bobo912]

Bobo, unless something has changed, you will actually clear customs and immigration at Shannon. It is one of the airports that the US military goes through on their way back home. When you land at JFK it will be just like coming off a domestic flight, it's lovely. You'll need extra time to get through everything in Shannon but AbD will get you there in plenty of time.

Thanks so much for the info. I just looked it up and it doesn't appear to have changed. Too bad the customer service people at Delta don't have this type of information, but I guess that's expecting too much. I added a leg to my flight and I'm getting home 3 hours later, but I don't feel too bad about it, because I probably would have been nervous about the 48 min layover, even if I had know I didn't have to go through immigration. I'm kind of obsessive about being early and allowing plenty of time.

 

[MinionOfMaleficent]

Yeah, 48 minutes is not a lot of time if you end up getting delayed. Better to have the extra time and less stress!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If you have Global Entry, there is usually no wait at all! It is great.

 

[sayhello]

Thanks so much for the info. I just looked it up and it doesn't appear to have changed. Too bad the customer service people at Delta don't have this type of information, but I guess that's expecting too much. I added a leg to my flight and I'm getting home 3 hours later, but I don't feel too bad about it, because I probably would have been nervous about the 48 min layover, even if I had know I didn't have to go through immigration. I'm kind of obsessive about being early and allowing plenty of time.

I'd never risk it with a 48 minute layover if I could help it. JFK can be weird, I had one time going through JFK where I actually had to change terminals, which meant going through security again! 48 minutes would never have been enough for that! I try to give myself at least 2 hours for domestic flights, and 3 hours for international. Just to be on the safe side... (I've missed connections, and it is no fun whatsoever!)

Sayhello

 

[Cousin Orville]

I've made a 45 min international connection (with passport control) only for the airline to cancel my seats on an overbooked flight because they figured there's no way we'd make the connection. Thankfully they took pitty on us traveling with children and gave us our seats back (or some random seats), but I wouldn't try it again.

 

[pihanettie]

I noticed today that the departure time for our return flight from Shannon for our ABD next summer had changed and was now leaving 2 hours later than originally scheduled, which left us with a 48 minute layover at JFK. I called Delta today and changed our flight so we now have a 1 hr 54 min layover – hopefully sufficient time to clear immigration and customs without me freaking out. I then began to wonder how long the typical wait might be at JFK and, in the course of a quick Google search, I found the link below. It provides historical data on how long it takes for travelers to clear passport control at major airports in the US. It’s broken down by terminal and shows hourly data, so you can check the time of day when your flight is scheduled to arrive. Of course, it’s historical data, but potentially useful if you just need an idea of how long your wait may be, so I thought I would share.

http://awt.cbp.gov/

I also recommend Global Entry for you. It is mostly known for U.S. airports but can also be used in a few overseas airports. I go to New Zealand and that is one country that accepts it. I think I remember Ireland being the second. It may not be able to help you leaving but is worth it for arrivals.

 

[sayhello]

I also recommend Global Entry for you. It is mostly known for U.S. airports but can also be used in a few overseas airports. I go to New Zealand and that is one country that accepts it. I think I remember Ireland being the second. It may not be able to help you leaving but is worth it for arrivals.

Yep! Shannon airport in Ireland does, indeed accept Global Entry.

http://www.globalentry.gov/locations.html

Too bad Heathrow & Edinburgh don't participate...

Sayhello

 

[Bobo912]

I thought about Global Entry and researched it recently. I'm okay with getting it for myself. I worked for the government long ago and had a security clearance, so they already have my fingerprints. But the thought of having my child fingerprinted makes me uncomfortable, probably irrationally, but I still just don't like the idea. Unless we both have it, it does me no good.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I thought about Global Entry and researched it recently. I'm okay with getting it for myself. I worked for the government long ago and had a security clearance, so they already have my fingerprints. But the thought of having my child fingerprinted makes me uncomfortable, probably irrationally, but I still just don't like the idea. Unless we both have it, it does me no good.

Why? He/she will be fingerprinted eventually. What nefarious uses could there be for a child's fingerprints? Your kid already has an SSN.

 

[Bobo912]

Why? He/she will be fingerprinted eventually. What nefarious uses could there be for a child's fingerprints? Your kid already has an SSN.

If he wants the government to have his fingerprints, I'll let him make that decision himself when he is an adult.

 

[tufbuf]

If he wants the government to have his fingerprints, I'll let him make that decision himself when he is an adult.

The minimum age for global entry is 14 yo. Correct me if I'm wrong cause we all qualify for global entry until I saw the age requirement, and have not used it yet. One more year...

 

[pihanettie]

The minimum age for global entry is 14 yo. Correct me if I'm wrong cause we all qualify for global entry until I saw the age requirement, and have not used it yet. One more year...

My kids are 9 and 10 and they did it this year.
Maybe they recently lowered the age requirement.

 

[pihanettie]

If he wants the government to have his fingerprints, I'll let him make that decision himself when he is an adult.

True, but you could also look at it as a bit of a reassurance, that there is a copy of his fingerprints somewhere. It would be helpful in instances like the McCann case.

 

[acndis]

Our six year old has Global Entry, also. We have already used the TSA pre a few times. We love it.

 

[tufbuf]

My kids are 9 and 10 and they did it this year. Maybe they recently lowered the age requirement.

Great!! Thanks for d info!!

 

[pihanettie]

Our six year old has Global Entry, also. We have already used the TSA pre a few times. We love it.

We do, too!

 

[tufbuf]

So kids can use the kiosk too?