PORT OF ENTRY EXPERIENCE - advice needed!!!

[Ghanadeybe 0]

Hi VJers,

I plan to purchase a ticket for my sister who is a DV 2012 winner. She will be coming next month and I have the following ticket options:

ACC (Accra) --> JFK (New York) OR

ACC (Accra) --> ATL (Atlanta). Since this is her first time flying, I want her to have a POE (Port of Entry) that is not too difficult to navigate, find directions, find connecting gates etc. I fly frequently but it can be overwhelming for new travellers. I was also wondering if it is possible to check-in her luggage to her final destination so she does not have to pick it up at ATL or JFK.

Please share your experience and some advice on which airport is best for DV processing, entry, navigation etc.

Much appreciated!

[rolemodel29 17]

Congratulations to your sis. Well both Jfk and Atlanta international airports are busy airports. When international travellers are travelling into the US they all must stop into one of the international airports and after going through imigration they MUST collect their luggage then if they have a connecting flight they got to re check the luggage in once more. Sorry but this applies to all international airports not just JFK and Alanta. As a first timer I will advise maybe JFK because Atlanta is much larger than JFK. I must admit that the process will be the same for all travellers in all international airports but with your choices listed i think JFK will be more appropriate. Please have her flight itenerary a copy for you and one for her. Be sure to tell her if she got any questions while travelling only ask those officials in uniform through out the airport. Because some travellers may act as if they know it all when they are just as ignorant. Thats a very important tip for her to remember. Let her pay close attenton to her boarding pass, her gate, her seating allocation. Flying can be enjoyable at ties but ever since 9-11 alot has change in terms of security. Hope this help good luck.

[bigdog 376]

I also think JFK should be OK, especially with explicit instructions. Good Luck. Send her instruction in English (if needed) if she gets lost.

[together4evr 360]

I like JFK-organized, on time flights, easy to navigate

I cannot stand Atlanta. All my flights have been late to take off and late to land. Lost my luggage once. Hard to get through timely.

Wherever you send her just make sure she ahs like a 4 hour layover. JFK is quicker I have heard.

[Stu4Lee 66]

Personally I would avoid Atlanta at all costs.

Took forever to get through, it's very busy and enormous.

Apart from the Delta agent, who helped after I missed my connection and a random pilot, who I assume took pity on me when waiting for the "plane train", in my opinion it's unprofessional in every way, don't even get me started on CBP there.

Needless to say it won't be my POE again :no:

[agynyame 2]

I think that JFk is quite simple. If you are coming via Delta they arrive by 4:10AM and there is hardly anyone there so it is normally a breeze to go through customs. It took about 45mins to be processed.

[Ghanadeybe 0]

I think that JFk is quite simple. If you are coming via Delta they arrive by 4:10AM and there is hardly anyone there so it is normally a breeze to go through customs. It took about 45mins to be processed.

Thank you all for sharing your insights and experiences. I decided on JFK and purchased the ticket this morning. Your comments and suggestions were helpful. Much appreciated!