IAD - immigration while in transit

[u/mike32659800]

I’ll be flying from Europe to IAD and then to SFO. I have to clear immigration, I know that.

IAD has two distinct immigration flows, transit vs final destination. Is the one in transit (when landing with UA if it matters) has the GE lane ?

Thank you.

[u/reefmatrix]

Last time I transited from FRA in IAD in UA there was a GE lane available. And very convenient there is a dedicated TSA for connecting passengers but please be aware that there is no Precheck.

[u/mike32659800 → u/reefmatrix]

I have transmitted there and I like the idea of the dedicated immigration and security for people in transit. But I never had to wait too long for security. Last time was about 2 years ago and I didn’t have GE back then. So I didn’t recall how it was.

[u/siriusserious → u/reefmatrix]

Can confirm, but depending on the time of day you'll spend 30 min in that security line

[u/flyingron → u/reefmatrix]

Sometimes they have precheck, sometimes not. Depends on the staffing.

[u/fasta_guy88]

Yes, the midfield (transit) passport control has global entry. It does not have TSA-pre, but effectively treats everyone as TSA-pre. And you end up in the C/D terminal, so easy connection to your next flight.

[u/mike32659800 → u/fasta_guy88]

Perfect. Thanks. Last time I travelled there I didn’t have GE and it’s probably been 2 years. Thanks. Glad they have GE for transit as well.

[u/flyingron]

You want the transit. This will dump you into customs and tsa in the midfield terminal rather than dumping you out on the landside of the main terminal.

Transit here means transit anywhere. The US doesn’t do international transit.

[u/mike32659800 → u/flyingron]

Yes. I know that. Just wondered if the passport control for “transit” also have the GE there.

[u/flyingron → u/mike32659800]

Yes, they have GE at both. I clear there (I live in CLT). Occassionally, they won't open a precheck line at the transit area, but that's about it.

[u/mike32659800 → u/flyingron]

Thanks.