Flying back to the US through 2 separate airports

[missvrapter 9]

I'll be flying back to the US from the UK on April 5th.
My first flight takes me from the UK to JFK, and then I have a 3 hour wait for my next flight to ATL.

I suffer with LLI and I get all panicky and irritated if im missing key bits of information in a plan.
I land at JFK at Terminal 4, and I depart at Terminal 2. Will I need to claim my bags after I've gone through passport control? And then recheck them once I get to Terminal 2? Or will they get sent all the way through with me since my tickets are all with the same airline and booked all in one? Or is there an easier way of doing things. Im aware that JFK is a fairly big airport and I'm 5 months pregnant so I'm really not trying to have to walk too far unless I really have to.

[Anh map 2,098]

Yes, you will collect your luggage and go through customs before heading to the next terminal to check in for the flight and check your baggage.

[NikLR 13,227]

Thankfully the terminals are right beside each other, but you will have to go through customs and back through security again when you change terminals. You should contact your airline to see if they forward on your bags or if you have to collect them. Most likely you will have to.

[Boiler 45,486]

Through Customs and re check in every US airport I have been through.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

There's no place to go through customs at domestic landings so your customs check of all your stuff is at JFK. Doesn't mean they will search your luggage but you have it with you passing through the checkpoint in case they want to. The recheck of luggage is normally airside so you won't be going into the general airport lobby to check at the airline counter and then have to get in line for the scanners and such. There will be a recheck area to drop the bags before going to your next gate.

Edited March 27, 2016 by Nich-Nick

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

A 3 hour layover at most American airports is sufficient when connecting from an international flight. I wouldn't sweat it. By the way, what is LLI?

[missvrapter 9]

So I guess I'll double check when i first check in here in the UK that my bags are getting checked all the way through to Atlanta. I can always ask for assistance from one of the airline employees if I'm confused at all.
LLI stands for Low Latent Inhibition. Its difficult to explain, but my brain basically accepts and processes twice as much information as the standard persons brain does. It means my mind is constantly overloaded with information, and im constantly questioning things and how they work. Example - when looking at a lamp, most people only see the stand, neck of the lamp and the lampshade. People with LLI break down parts of the lamp, how the stand works, the wiring inside, how the lamp shade sits etc.

[mlh 93]

Your bags will be tagged to go all the way through to Atlanta, but as JFK is your first point of entry into the US, you'll go through immigration, collect your bags at baggage claim, go through customs, and then recheck your bags with the airline to make it to your next flight. I haven't come back in through JFK, but at DFW there is a special recheck desk as soon as you leave the customs hall, so you don't have to drag your stuff all the way to the other terminal.

[Michael and Ganna 104]

Just a thought....If you are 5 months pregnant and feel the stress on being on your feet, handling luggage and ect. Call the airlines and ask them for assistance. They will put you in a wheelchair, take you where you need to go and handle your baggage for you. Most airlines will give you priority service with a smile

[Ortolan 381]

I agree with the previous poster. Call your airline and explain (without overloading them on detail) that you are pregnant with a disability, and how can you arrange to have someone help you? The most difficult part, with your particular LLI condition, will probably be actually letting them help you, meaning that you might have a hard time relinquishing control to a helper.

But it would make your trip easier. So perhaps you can arrange this beforehand and get used to the idea before you travel? It would be very helpful to you.

[Bebe Love 4]

Yes I would call your airline now, and request assistance upon arrival at JFK. Or as soon as you walk out, go to the service desk outside your walkway, and ask for assistance. IE, golf cart, and airline employee to grab your bags from the baggage claim, and drop you at Customs. Atlanta is easy airport. Good luck on your travels.