Questions about POE based on Entrance.

[YozhikandBulochka 3]

So my fiance and son are entering the country on march 30th (yes Im excited ) but im buying them a connecting flight 1 hour later from JFK to BWI (I live close to the BWI area). Now the question is when they enter at JFK does she go through immigration there or she waits for the connecting flight and go through immigration at BWI? Im unaware of the answer cause ive never done this before O_O. Thanks

[TimeTravel 78]

1 hour can be risky. Since it would be their POE, and first time, then process may take the time. Of course, JFK is known as a quick POE, but sometimes people have to wait longer 1 hour to 2 hour.

First she has to go thru immigration department, then after that, she can only catch her connection flight for final destination. Did you make sure, her connection flight is from JFK but not any other airport in NYC?

[bigdog 376]

Ours took 3 hours+ LAX, get a later flight. You have interview, luggage change of terminal, better to have too much time then miss a flight and start over. Or meet her there!!!

[YozhikandBulochka 3]

ahh so she will go through immigration at JFK before going to her connecting flight. Maybe Ill meet her there. We will see.

[S_R 148]

1hr is cutting it close for two individuals to finish secondary processing...anyways , the excitement to see your family will make it all worth it.

[Moomin 292]

Yeah, it's not only about the waiting in lines but getting from one gate to another (domestic/international), luggage handling and how long before you have to be there.

[Hank_ 9,174]

So my fiance and son are entering the country on march 30th (yes Im excited ) but im buying them a connecting flight 1 hour later from JFK to BWI (I live close to the BWI area). Now the question is when they enter at JFK does she go through immigration there or she waits for the connecting flight and go through immigration at BWI? Im unaware of the answer cause ive never done this before O_O. Thanks

1 hour for sure is a recipe for missing the connecting flight. If you can be there, do so for sure!

[sofya 10]

JFK is a nightmare for these kinds of flights! Definitely change the connecting flight. Allow her 3 hours between them, AT LEAST. Your being or not being there will not make a difference if you have only 1 hour to catch the next flight. She'll wait in a line for 30 minutes to 1 hour BEFORE even getting to the passport check (unless she's lucky and not a lot of flights arrive at the same time). Then it's another 15-20 minutes to check all her immigration docs. Then it's finger printing (5-10 minutes, if there are people in front of her also immigrating). Then she HAS to pick up her luggage and leave the international arrivals area - add another 10-15 minutes. Add more if she's picked for random screening. Then she needs to get to the domestic terminal (have you been to JFK?) and check her luggage again, get through the security and to the gate.

Look for an option with a 3 hour layover. Even 2 hours would be stressful.

Why won't you have her fly in directly to IAD? If you have a car, you could pick her up. Yes, it'll take some time, but no hassle with catching connecting flights, and it would still take less time and trouble than your traveling to JFK and back.

[C-ma'am 684]

JFK is SO big... even if she didn't have to be processed by the Immigration Officers, 1 hour layover, for any individual, going through that airport, is too little time.

Hell! I was there in July with a 7 hour layover, going to VA; they not only cancelled my original flight, they had me transfer from JFK to La Guardia (out of my ow pocket, of course).

I must have been pissed by an elephant that night, though... all the flights from La Guardia got cancelled too and I had to spend the night in NY... out of my own pocket as well......

God willing and with visa in hand, I'll be flying to BWI too.. awesome airport and close to home!