Best POE choice?

[F2C-MaDMaXX 1]

Because my trip is so close to my booking, i can't take my first choice of having the POE at my destination (would of connected outside the USA) So i have a few choices for the POE within the states.

i've heard that Newark isn't such a hot choice, so i'm avoiding that, right now, favourite is Atlanta.

Does anyone think this is a bad idea? or does anyone have any better suggestions?

Any thoughts appreciated, thanks.

Edited June 18, 2010 by F2C-MaDMaXX

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Because my trip is so close to my booking, i can't take my first choice of having the POE at my destination (would of connected outside the USA) So i have a few choices for the POE within the states.

i've heard that Newark isn't such a hot choice, so i'm avoiding that, right now, favourite is Atlanta.

Does anyone think this is a bad idea? or does anyone have any better suggestions?

Any thoughts appreciated, thanks.

I would personally pick the shortest, cheapest ticket combination. What happens at POE on any given day is a cr@p shoot. It depends what time of day and how many other international planes landed at the same time and how many of those people also need immigration papers processed. Summer afternoons are often particularly busy. Have you read all the reviews of the specific POEs to give you a better sense the various ones?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Have you thought of booking a flight through Canada? Admittedly it has one drawback (that of having to clear Canadian Customs first), but there is the advantage of clearing US Customs AND Immgiration before ever landing on US soil.

[F2C-MaDMaXX 1]

If i'm honest, i'm really having trouble finding all these little things like POE reviews, last link i found for them showed me the last 3 and i couldn't see how to show them all.

I only really saw one option through Canada and that was when i flew to Seattle, which isn't where i want to be.

I don't mind going somewhere else in the states, i just don't want to be waiting too long for immigration so my bags are alright and i don't miss the connecting flight. I've got flights with ~3 hours between them at the moment, hopefully enough.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

If i'm honest, i'm really having trouble finding all these little things like POE reviews, last link i found for them showed me the last 3 and i couldn't see how to show them all.

Up at the top of every page are two blue menu bars. The bottom one (lighter blue)has Reviews: Embassy/USCIS & POE.

Click on the letters POE.

In the drop downs choose the Port of Entry city, and then Harrassment Level Filter: All

Click the button "Find Entries"

It will give you the reviews and at the bottom it will have additional page numbers to go to more reviews.

[Lansbury 19]

Where is your final destination that might give some choices at smaller hub airports than Atlanta to come in at.

[F2C-MaDMaXX 1]

Found the reviews, not so many for Atlanta, but some incompetence shown on some reviews.

I'd like to go through Portland, OR, but doesn't look like i can now.

[Marina-Del 10]

Our POE is through ATL in 5 days and I read all of the reviews they had since 2008. I found only 1 or 2 bad reviews and I think you'll find that in every POE. Sometimes people are going to have bad POEs -regardless of where you enter. Anyway, just my two cents, I haven't read all the cities reviews, but one or two bad ones for ATL -IMO- aren't a reason to kick it off your list of possibilities.

I do agree with everyone else though, I'd just go with the cheapest flight.

[F2C-MaDMaXX 1]

Thanks, think i'm gonna find the best flight now then, let me know how your POE goes.

[Y&E 12]

What's the problem with a connection being outside of the US? If you can connect somewhere else and then arrive at your final destination as you POE isn't that the easiest and least stressful option? You've never told us your final destination so it's a bit hard to give good advice. I ended up going with a flight to Chicago and no connection to Indy because it wasn't going to work. I'm just being picked up from Chicago now and don't have to worry about flight connections.

[F2C-MaDMaXX 1]

Yeah, that was my point, i usually go Amsterdam then Portland, but i can't get that flight anymore, i would prefer the POE at my destination, that's what i was saying

[F2C-MaDMaXX 1]

I might of just boo-boo'd here

Found a perfect flight, connected outside the US with 1 stop, paid for it, noticed it then said includes one touchdown on the international leg.

I've seen this before on other sites and avoided them, but i didn't see this message until i paid for it

Question is, will i have to go through immigration during this touchdown in an unknown airport? I can't get hold of the carrier or the ticket issuer as they're both closed, does anyone else have experience of what this will involve?

[Lansbury 19]

Found the reviews, not so many for Atlanta, but some incompetence shown on some reviews.

I'd like to go through Portland, OR, but doesn't look like i can now.

Have you looked at the Delta flight from Amsterdam to Portland?

I used Portland as my POE, live about 12 minutes drive from PDX and went from Frankfurt in the days when Lufthansa had a direct service. My son flies out regularly and always goes via AMS on Delta to PDX.

[Lansbury 19]

I might of just boo-boo'd here

Found a perfect flight, connected outside the US with 1 stop, paid for it, noticed it then said includes one touchdown on the international leg.

I've seen this before on other sites and avoided them, but i didn't see this message until i paid for it

Question is, will i have to go through immigration during this touchdown in an unknown airport? I can't get hold of the carrier or the ticket issuer as they're both closed, does anyone else have experience of what this will involve?

Yes if it lands in the US you'll go through immigration there. Probably includes at change of plane as well even if it has the same flight number,

[F2C-MaDMaXX 1]

Yeah that's the normal flight i take, and like you, i used the Lufthansa one before that. However, even though search engines keep showing that flight available, it's not when you try and book it, it's been like that all week

I check with United this morning and they say this is a plane change in o'hare and assure me that we do not go through security/immigration at all.

Now i kinda believe her as they can't say it's a one stop flight if it's two (which o'hare would be the second) So, we'll have to see i guess.