Pre-Clearance Shannon / Dublin

mburke

Any idea when Dublin will start using full pre-clearance and follow Shannon airport ?

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0301/shannon.html

highlydebased

T2 has the same new facilities as the new Shannon facility, so it'll be then, whenever T2 opens.

useless

Sorry if this is hijacking the thread, but what does this new 'pre-clearance' actually mean for the travelling public? Haven't the US immigration people been at Dublin & Shannon for years now?

Our man in Havana

Yes, for immigration only. You still have to clear US Customs on arrival in the United States.

This is full pre-clearance. There will be US Customs personnel here that will inspect baggage and clear passengers before they leave for the US. When you arrive in the US you are treated as a domestic passenger so you simply collect your bags and walk out the door.

useless

ah, I see. Thanks for the reply.

I never even noticed Customs in the US airports when arriving from Dublin before- the only officialdom I've seen is aggressive US Dept of Agriculture officials literally screaming at passengers waiting at the carousel not to pet their beagle when he's working:D

Lifelike

Does it actually take long to clear the customs on JFK Airport?

lord lucan

Lifelike wrote: »

Does it actually take long to clear the customs on JFK Airport?

Customs,no. They take your customs form from you and randomly pull people for inspection or if you fit their profile. I've only been stopped once,last summer in Newark,and they sent me over to the Agriculture section and ran my case through a scanner and sent me on my way.

Lifelike

lord lucan wrote: »

Customs,no. They take your customs form from you and randomly pull people for inspection or if you fit their profile. I've only been stopped once,last summer in Newark,and they sent me over to the Agriculture section and ran my case through a scanner and sent me on my way.

Thanks, I was kinda getting nervous over that.

Another question though, do have to present your ESTA application number at the immigration preclearance in Dublin? Or do they already know that you've applied from your passport number. Also, does it take long to clear the immigration?

lord lucan

Lifelike wrote: »

Thanks, I was kinda getting nervous over that.

Another question though, do have to present your ESTA application number at the immigration preclearance in Dublin? Or do they already know that you've applied from your passport number. Also, does it take long to clear the immigration?

You won't need your ESTA number. You'll have to fill out the green visa waiver scheme form(printed version of the ESTA application basically) and customs form and present them to the immigration officer. When they scan your passport your details will come up along with your ESTA status.

Ques can be very long,depends on how busy the flights out are. Immigration opens at 07.30 normally,i'd advise getting into the que by 07.45 at the latest if you can.

Our man in Havana

The problem is that the queue handlers decide when you can start queing for immigration, so being there early means nothing.

Lifelike

lord lucan wrote: »

You won't need your ESTA number. You'll have to fill out the green visa waiver scheme form(printed version of the ESTA application basically) and customs form and present them to the immigration officer. When they scan your passport your details will come up along with your ESTA status.

Ques can be very long,depends on how busy the flights out are. Immigration opens at 07.30 normally,i'd advise getting into the que by 07.45 at the latest if you can.

But my flight is at 10:30 so will they allow me in at 7:30? (I read somewhere else that they will only accept you two hours before your flight).

Thanks for your help.

lord lucan

Lifelike wrote: »

But my flight is at 10:30 so will they allow me in at 7:30? (I read somewhere else that they will only accept you two hours before your flight).

Thanks for your help.

I'd say 08.30 - 09.00 would easily do you then. Most of the early flights over will have gone through by then.

Lifelike

lord lucan wrote: »

I'd say 08.30 - 09.00 would easily do you then. Most of the early flights over will have gone through by then.

Great, thanks a million

Lifelike

Actually just two more questions. Do you fill out these green forms you mentioned at the immigration counter or do you fill it out in the queue? Also, is it true that they also do eye tests? If so, what does it mean?

Thanks

Our man in Havana

You fill out those forms before you attempt to queue.

They take your picture and your fingerprints.

Lifelike

Bond-007 wrote: »

You fill out those forms before you attempt to queue.

They take your picture and your fingerprints.

Thanks, but where do you pick them up then?

Our man in Havana

The airline gives you the forms when you check in.

Lifelike

Bond-007 wrote: »

The airline gives you the forms when you check in.

Does that mean that if you check-in online that you print out the forms at home?

lord lucan

Lifelike wrote: »

Does that mean that if you check-in online that you print out the forms at home?

There's a room near the stairs down to immigration called "immigration documentation room" or something to that effect. They have forms in there along with pens if you want to do it there.

Lifelike

lord lucan wrote: »

There's a room near the stairs down to immigration called "immigration documentation room" or something to that effect. They have forms in there along with pens if you want to do it there.

And when I come out of the security I turn left and go down that hallway for immigration. That is correct, right?

Our man in Havana

You follow the directions for your gate. That will take you directly to the document filling area and pre inspection.

Lifelike

Thanks a million for all your help

Del2005

Lifelike wrote: »

Does that mean that if you check-in online that you print out the forms at home?

Are you allowed to check in online for US flights?

Our man in Havana

Yes, you can of course.

khareedoo

After you clear the immigration preclearance, do you go straight to the aircraft or do you get to wait in a lounge? Someone mentioned that you have to go straight to aircraft, and I was thinking that this might not be the most comfortable way of waiting...

Lifelike

khareedoo wrote: »

After you clear the immigration preclearance, do you go straight to the aircraft or do you get to wait in a lounge? Someone mentioned that you have to go straight to aircraft, and I was thinking that this might not be the most comfortable way of waiting...

In Dublin after the immigration preclearance there is a seating area (just like the other gates in the airport). There are also vending machines, toilets and a small shop.