What's expected?

[PotNoodle]

When we arrive at Orlando Airport how quick is it to get through passport control? and what is expected?

 

[Goofyish]

When you get off the plane you enter a large hall where you will be faced with a long row of desks. Depending on when you get off the plane there will be varying queues at each desk. Try and head to the right, the lines always seem shorter and sometime they open up the US citizen desk to non-US citizens

When it's your turn you go upto your desk as a family (asuming to all have the same surname and one white customs form). The nice imigration officer will ask you a few simple question, check your green visa waizer forms, stamp your passports and take your finger prints and photo - only takes about 5 minutes

You then go through and wait for your luggage to come up. Once you have you luggage your head towards the back of the hall where your white card is checked. They will also select people at random to have their cases scanned.

Once through this check you put your cases on another conveyor while you walk on through to yet another security check. This time you pass through body scanners and your hand luggage will be scanned - and sometimes your shoes!

Once that is over you then pass into a small plaza where there are shops and a few places to eat. Most people just pass through this bit and onto the train that takes you to the main terminal building.

The train takes a few minutes to get to the main terminal. Once in the terminal head downstairs on the left to baggage claim B. Your cases should be coming out on the conveyors.

Once you have your cases you can the head off to get your car or transfer.

Sound complicated but it isn't - just follow everyone else LOL

I would say it takes around an hour to get from plane to final baggage claim - although it depends on when you get off the plane, the lines at imigration and security and if you get selected for extra bag scans etc.

 

[Miffy2003]

Great explanation Tim!

 

[daipp]

They will also select people at random to have their cases scanned.

I've only known them to check every case!

Excellent explanation to the whole process.

David

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
When we went last April the security check area after immigration and customs was closed . Noticed the same when we passed through the area on our return trip. Not sure if this a permanent thing or just for a trial period.

Mick.

 

[jowan]

When it's your turn you go upto your desk as a family (asuming to all have the same surname and one white customs form). The nice imigration officer will ask you a few simple question, check your green visa waizer forms, stamp your passports and take your finger prints and photo - only takes about 5 minutes

We're taking my niece with us who has a different surname so just wandering what happens, would we need to fill in two sets of forms? what happens at the imigration desk?

 

[gilld]

You will need to complete two sets of customs forms as you must have the same surname for a family to share. If you are travelling under the Visa Waiver program, everyone completes one anyway.

At the desk, tell the officer your niece is travelling with you and I'm sure they'll process her after you.

 

[jowan]

Thanks for that, since it is almost 3 years ago since our last trip I forgot you filled out one each but good tip on telling them, I was a little concerned about her having a different surname to the rest of the group but have be assured by Virgin on several occasions it's fine for her to travel with us.

 

[Goofyish]

I'm sure I read someplace that it's sometimes a good idea to have a sort of 'letter of concent' from the parents of the child you are taking - just to show that you have permission to take her - I'm assuming she is a minor

I don't think it's a requirement, but at least you have it if asked

 

[Claire L]

I'm sure I read someplace that it's sometimes a good idea to have a sort of 'letter of concent' from the parents of the child you are taking - just to show that you have permission to take her - I'm assuming she is a minor

I don't think it's a requirement, but at least you have it if asked

Also a good idea to have this letter include permission for you to be able agree to any medical treatment as well, just incase as it could save alot of time if anything were needed.

Claire

 

[jowan]

Both very good points, we've actually asked her mum to provide this letter although we'd not thought about the medical aspect of it so will have this included in the letter. Thanks for all the advise.

 

[PotNoodle]

Goofyfish (Tim), that's really much appreciated and even more than I'd asked for. Your a top bloke!

I'd actually forgotten about the short train journey between terminals, the last time and only time I was in Orlando was April 1989.

We shall be arriving hopefully around 3:15pm on the first Sunday in September. (Labor Day weekend).

Hopefully, we shall not have any problems and get through Customs and Immigration without too many faults.

 

[nibby]

I'm sure I read someplace that it's sometimes a good idea to have a sort of 'letter of concent' from the parents of the child you are taking - just to show that you have permission to take her - I'm assuming she is a minor

I don't think it's a requirement, but at least you have it if asked

I would STRONGLY recommend taking a letter of consent. A friends of ours had a really hard time a couple of years ago. His family had gone on ahead to their villa a couple of weeks earlier. He was joining them later, due to work commitments and when he travelled out he took their daughter's friend with him. Now it may be because it was a man travelling with teenage girl but they were both hauled over the coals by immigration and it took them lots of phone calls and separate interviews and lots of checking before they were finally allowed out of the airport (2 hours later!!)