US Pre-Clearence?

itsthehumidity

Just wondering if anyone could shed some light on the whole US Pre-Clearance, have never left Europe so have no idea of the process! Flying American Airlines to Las Vegas (Flight: DUB-CHARLOTTE-LAS) in September.

Mister Robinson

itsthehumidity wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone could shed some light on the whole US Pre-Clearance, have never left Europe so have no idea of the process! Flying American Airlines to Las Vegas (Flight: DUB-CHARLOTTE-LAS) in September.

If you are talking about the ESTA then you need to fill out the form online and pay the fee ($14.00 i think) and it should go through straight away if its aproved.

I headed to Miami last year and forgot to fill it out until the day before flying but was aproved on the spot. Take a copy with you as well as they might ask for it at border control.

Link: http://dublin.usembassy.gov/mobile//general/esta.html

salmocab

If your flight is DUB direct to USA usually you can go through US customs in Dublin, although I'm not sure if this is every flight. Ive done it a good few times and its great, it means when you land you can exit quicker as you are treated like an internal flight.

itsthehumidity

Thanks Mister Robinson, will check that out . Was more looking to hear about US Customs in Dublin .

salmocab, is there any way to know if our flight would be included? What do they ask etc at customs?

conor_ie

It's just to check you're not bringing anything illegal into the US. As you go through the immigration formalities, a picture of your checked luggage will be shown on a screen to you and you'll be asked to confirm it's yours.

Bored_lad

It's a very simple process. First make sure you get your ESTA and have a copy with you. You fill this out online and get approved straight away you have to pay a small fee but its only a few Euros.

The pre clearence of US customs. You will go through security as normal and then get through to the duty free and all that. Then once called you will go to the US precleance area. This is maned mainly by US TSA agents who have been flown in. You will have your carry-on bags scanned and then will go on to the next step. A TSA agent will look at your passports boarding pass etc they will also take your fingerprints but if you've travelled to the US before they won't need to. They will show you pictures of your baga and ask if these are yours they will also ask for the reason for your trip and for the address of the first place you will be staying. It's a very simple process and doesn't take long.

When you land in the US you don't have to do anything no entrance card to be filled out or anything you go straight off the plane take your bags and leave the airport.

LXFlyer

All scheduled direct flights to the USA from Dublin pre-clear in Dublin, except for the Ethiopian flight to Los Angeles.

Yamanoto

itsthehumidity wrote: »

What do they ask etc at customs?

Depends upon your profile, your demeanour and the answers you provide.

A 21 year-old on a protracted holiday may find themselves quizzed to a far greater extent than an elderly couple visiting family for a week. Typically you're asked about the purpose of your visit & how long you intend to stay. The great majority of CBP officers are friendly and professional, though you can encounter the odd gruff individual who's utterly devoid of personality.

You don't need a hard copy of your ESTA btw. I've entered the US through several different ports of entry many times over the past few years & it's never been requested. After inputting your passport details, the CBP officer will know whether or not you've been approved for travel.

Bored_lad wrote: »

A TSA agent will look at your passports boarding pass etc they will also take your fingerprints but if you've travelled to the US before they won't need to.

It's US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) that handle customs & immigration procedures for passengers outbound from DUB & SNN. The TSA are tasked with passenger security screening at US airports and other transport hubs.

You're photographed & fingerprinted on each & every occasion you enter the US, regardless of how many times you've been in the country before.

itsthehumidity

Thanks lads & ladies, really cleared things up for me! Nervous flyer as it is, so don't want anything going wrong!

itsthehumidity

Yamanto, we're 23 & 26 and headed on honeymoon for a week, hopefully we won't be grilled too much! Have warned hubby not to make jokes about anything, as he tends to do that quite a bit!

Yamanoto

itsthehumidity wrote: »

Yamanto, we're 23 & 26 and headed on honeymoon for a week, hopefully we won't be grilled too much! Have warned hubby not to make jokes about anything, as he tends to do that quite a bit!

Ah that's great, congrats to the pair of you

Tell the hubby to reign in the jokes for sure, though most officers welcome a smile and a little bit of small talk. Given the reason for your visit, I think you'll be made feel most welcome by whoever it is you encounter. Are you going to request an upgrade on AA or are you flying business already?

Bored_lad

Sorry about that I just got a bit confused on the TSA agent part.

Yes you are fingerprinted and photographed every time you enter the US however after the first time I have only every been fingerprinted on my right hand and thumb.

Also Op I would advise your husband doesn't make jokes. The US Customs and Border Protection agents are there to do their job and they take it seriously. They are pleasent to you the entire time and there is sometimes small talk however with any of the ones I've interacted with jokes would not be appreciated.

itsthehumidity

Yamanoto wrote: »

Ah that's great, congrats to the pair of you

Tell the hubby to reign in the jokes for sure, though most officers welcome a smile and a little bit of small talk. Given the reason for your visit, I think you'll be made feel most welcome by whoever it is you encounter. Are you going to request an upgrade on AA or are you flying business already?

Definitely will tell himself again to reign it in - though I think I have him scared enough :P.

Flying Economy unfortunately! Is that even a thing to ask for an upgrade? Would you get one?

coylemj

Mister Robinson wrote: »

If you are talking about the ESTA then you need to fill out the form online and pay the fee ($14.00 i think) and it should go through straight away if its aproved.

I headed to Miami last year and forgot to fill it out until the day before flying but was aproved on the spot. Take a copy with you as well as they might ask for it at border control.

Bored_lad wrote: »

It's a very simple process. First make sure you get your ESTA and have a copy with you. You fill this out online and get approved straight away you have to pay a small fee but its only a few Euros.

You do not need to bring a copy of the ESTA approval, it will be up on their system and they most certainly will not ask for any printout. If the agent enters your passport number and there's no record of your ESTA approval on their system, you can wave any paper you like in his/her face but you will get nowhere.

With all the scammers out there, I'm surprised nobody gave the OP the official website to get the ESTA sorted. It costs $14, have your passport and credit card at the ready ....

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

Yamanoto

itsthehumidity wrote: »

Flying Economy unfortunately! Is that even a thing to ask for an upgrade? Would you get one?

It's a lot less likely to happen these days tbh, but the old adage still applies - if you don't ask, you don't get.

I'd speak to AA reservations about a week out & although they can't & won't promise anything, they may be able to note it somehow on your reservation. Chances are they'll tell you to mention it at check in. If you booked through a travel agent it'd be worth having a chat with them, as good TA's often have solid contacts within the airlines.

When you get to the airport, try to pick up boarding passes & do your bag drop at a desk with a supervisor close by & within earshot or failing that, with an agent who appears to hold a bit of seniority. Definitely tell them you're on honeymoon & that it'd make your day if they could accommodate you up front. If they're non-commital or say it can't be done, thank 'em for trying - as you may not find out you've been successful 'til you actually present yourself for boarding at the gate. Many of these flights fly pretty close to full capacity, so it may be impossible for them to accede to your request this time. If you make it known to cabin crew once you're onboard, you'll certainly be spoiled rotten wherever you're seated & they also have discretion to shift you forwards if the situation allows.

Marcusm

Bored_lad wrote: »

It's a very simple process. First make sure you get your ESTA and have a copy with you. You fill this out online and get approved straight away you have to pay a small fee but its only a few Euros.

The pre clearence of US customs. You will go through security as normal and then get through to the duty free and all that. Then once called you will go to the US precleance area. This is maned mainly by US TSA agents who have been flown in. You will have your carry-on bags scanned and then will go on to the next step. A TSA agent will look at your passports boarding pass etc they will also take your fingerprints but if you've travelled to the US before they won't need to. They will show you pictures of your baga and ask if these are yours they will also ask for the reason for your trip and for the address of the first place you will be staying. It's a very simple process and doesn't take long.

When you land in the US you don't have to do anything no entrance card to be filled out or anything you go straight off the plane take your bags and leave the airport.

Undoubtedly they will have arrived in Ireland by plane but the CBP agents and their families are based in Ireland for long periods - generally 2-7 years - they don't just fly into clear flights.

Mister Robinson

coylemj wrote: »

You do not need to bring a copy of the ESTA approval, it will be up on their system and they most certainly will not ask for any printout. If the agent enters your passport number and there's no record of your ESTA approval on their system, you can wave any paper you like in his/her face but you will get nowhere.

With all the scammers out there, I'm surprised nobody gave the OP the official website to get the ESTA sorted. It costs $14, have your passport and credit card at the ready ....

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

I was asked for it at border control so to be quite honest whether they are asked or not it would be best to at least have a copy to back up anything you have legitimately filled out and paid for.

And the link to ESTA that I posted for the OP is of the official US Dublin Embassy website which has an offical link to the ESTA site.

ProudDUB

Definitely chance your arm on the upgrade to first/business class....nothing ventured, nothing gained and all that. If you are dressed very well and you look the part, it can work to your advantage. If you rock up in your comfy 10 year old sweats and Pennys hoodie (not that there is anything wrong with either) you'll lessen your chances.

If you were married recently, bring a photo copy of your marriage license, or something to prove it. There would be a lot of people who would think nothing of telling a few pork pies to get an upgrade. Airline staff have heard it all & it would be a shame if you lost out, just because they thought you were the tenth couple that morning to claim to have just gotten married.

coylemj

Mister Robinson wrote: »

I was asked for it at border control so to be quite honest whether they are asked or not it would be best to at least have a copy to back up anything you have legitimately filled out and paid for.

And the link to ESTA that I posted for the OP is of the official US Dublin Embassy website which has an offical link to the ESTA site.

You were asked for the ESTA approval printout at which border control?

Your passport is machine readable as is required for all VWP countries, the border agent scans the passport on their reader, the system then checks the CBP database which tell them that you do or do not have ESTA approval or (in other cases) a visa. There is no conceivable reason why they would ask for the printout and any FAQ that you read on their websites say that you don't need to bring it with you. Anyone could produce a fake printout showing that they had ESTA approval, a couple of sheets of A4 paper saying that you've been approved is worthless.

itsthehumidity

Yamanoto wrote: »

It's a lot less likely to happen these days tbh, but the old adage still applies - if you don't ask, you don't get.

I'd speak to AA reservations about a week out & although they can't & won't promise anything, they may be able to note it somehow on your reservation. Chances are they'll tell you to mention it at check in. If you booked through a travel agent it'd be worth having a chat with them, as good TA's often have solid contacts within the airlines.

When you get to the airport, try to pick up boarding passes & do your bag drop at a desk with a supervisor close by & within earshot or failing that, with an agent who appears to hold a bit of seniority. Definitely tell them you're on honeymoon & that it'd make your day if they could accommodate you up front. If they're non-commital or say it can't be done, thank 'em for trying - as you may not find out you've been successful 'til you actually present yourself for boarding at the gate. Many of these flights fly pretty close to full capacity, so it may be impossible for them to accede to your request this time. If you make it known to cabin crew once you're onboard, you'll certainly be spoiled rotten wherever you're seated & they also have discretion to shift you forwards if the situation allows.

As you say, definitely worth a shot! Never something I would have thought of doing!

itsthehumidity

ProudDUB wrote: »

Definitely chance your arm on the upgrade to first/business class....nothing ventured, nothing gained and all that. If you are dressed very well and you look the part, it can work to your advantage. If you rock up in your comfy 10 year old sweats and Pennys hoodie (not that there is anything wrong with either) you'll lessen your chances.

If you were married recently, bring a photo copy of your marriage license, or something to prove it. There would be a lot of people who would think nothing of telling a few pork pies to get an upgrade. Airline staff have heard it all & it would be a shame if you lost out, just because they thought you were the tenth couple that morning to claim to have just gotten married.

I'll make sure I'm dripping in designer gear :P, falling over myself in towering heels :P!!! Ah no I'll look the part as much as I can but at 6am in the morning (9:30 flight) , but I will most likely be in Penneys Boutique :P.

Will definitely throw a copy of the old cert into my bag, sure it can't hurt!

endofrainbow

only guaranteed way to get an upgrade is to pay for it. What's to say that there are not 20 honeymoon couples on the same flight? or those celebrating significant birthdays? Changes of an upgrade are slim - they usually go to passengers with status with the airline.

At the end of the day, they are a business not a charity and their primary aim is to make money - dressing nicely ain't going to change that !

athtrasna

endofrainbow wrote: »

only guaranteed way to get an upgrade is to pay for it. What's to say that there are not 20 honeymoon couples on the same flight? or those celebrating significant birthdays? Changes of an upgrade are slim - they usually go to passengers with status with the airline.

At the end of the day, they are a business not a charity and their primary aim is to make money - dressing nicely ain't going to change that !

Precisely. I've been lucky enough to get quite a few upgrades but all bar one were due to status or traveling with someone with a high status in the airline's alliance. What I was wearing never affected them.

Interestingly the other was because I was wearing a badge for a cause the boarding gate staff strongly supported.