Seattle (SEA) Port of Entry (Layover)

[chrmar 7]

Hi guys, anybody who had their POE in Seattle recently? How was the experience? How long did the entire process take? I'm kinda worried if my layover for 2 hours and 30 minutes should be enough.

[kris&me 572]

After the plane lands (itinerary landing time) it takes at least 20 minutes to even taxi to the airport and then unloading time

so, no, 2 hours is not enough (unless you are very very lucky) to go thru customs and immigration

never landed in Seattle but have been to 23 international (out of the US) airports and in paris you better allow 3 and a half hours

i don't see any airport doing customs and immigration fast as most make you collect your luggage and recheck it to a domestic flight

[chrmar 7]

Crossing my fingers!

[Pitaya 2,577]

As a Seattleite that has done numerous international flight departures and arrivals through SeaTac, you may be cutting it close. The previous poster has a good grasp of the general workings at US POEs. Generally, international flights arrive at one of the satellite terminals, you will then take an underground shuttle train (that runs regularly) to the immigration and customs inspection area. First, you queue up for the document checking (there may be several international flights arriving at the same time, that will slow you down), then you go down an escalator to wait for your luggage to be delivered to the luggage carousel. After picking up your luggage, you then queue up for the customs inspection (you may be checked, or not??), then put your luggage on a conveyor belt that transports it to the general baggage pick-up area, or back to baggage handling and (hopefully) sent off for your next flight. I would suggest that you consider rebooking and catching the next Alaska Air flight, so that you keep your stress level down to a manageable level. BTW, don't forget your warm winter clothing......

Good luck on your immigration journey.

P.S. Don't forget to write your review of your POE experience.......

~Moved from General Immigration-Related To Working And Traveling During US Immigration Forum~

Edited November 13, 2016 by Pitaya

[chrmar 7]

As a Seattleite that has done numerous international flight departures and arrivals through SeaTac, you may be cutting it close. The previous poster has a good grasp of the general workings at US POEs. Generally, international flights arrive at one of the satellite terminals, you will then take an underground shuttle train (that runs regularly) to the immigration and customs inspection area. First, you queue up for the document checking (there may be several international flights arriving at the same time, that will slow you down), then you go down an escalator to wait for your luggage to be delivered to the luggage carousel. After picking up your luggage, you then queue up for the customs inspection (you may be checked, or not??), then put your luggage on a conveyor belt that transports it to the general baggage pick-up area, or back to baggage handling and (hopefully) sent off for your next flight. I would suggest that you consider rebooking and catching the next Alaska Air flight, so that you keep your stress level down to a manageable level. BTW, don't forget your warm winter clothing......

Good luck on your immigration journey.

P.S. Don't forget to write your review of your POE experience.......

~Moved from General Immigration-Related To Working And Traveling During US Immigration Forum~

Hi, thanks for the info. At first, I wasn't really worried about my luggage coz when my husband took this flight he claimed his luggage in Anchorage. But to clarify things, I decided to call Emirates, the agent confirmed that I would need to re-check my luggage back in the port of entry as per the regulations so I then asked her if my 2.5 hours should be enough to do all the things I need to do when I get there, she said that as per their system I would only need 1 hour and 20 minutes (let's see). I also asked her if what if and who knows there will be delays and I won't be able to catch my flight, she said that I could approach the Emirates office and they'll arrange to get my the next flight out. Oh well...

Winter clothing is number 1 on my hand carry list BTW .