theguzman wrote: » I will be in transit via JFK on an upcoming journey via the USA to South America later this year and I have not transited in JFK in over 12 years. I remember at the time having to identify my suitcase and it then being sent onwards towards Las Vegas. I will have a 6hrs layover going out (i'll wait it out in the lounge) and a 12 hour layover coming back and I plan to visit family and friends out long island to pass the time. The flight itself was one of those anti-social hours and awful long layover types that no-one wants (thus mega cheap) and when searching I said it will be a chance to visit the family even for half a day since I didn't see them in 12-18 months since and maybe buy some stuff if I have time and take them DutyFree also. The one thing I know from my half dozen or so trips to the US in recent times is nothing is the same, except mega arcane stupidity, bureaucracy and insane security beyond normal convention. The sterile transit areas we are so accustomed to in transit airports like Dubai doesn't apply in the US and you can't transit the country if you are visa required, i.e. Transit is the same as entering as far as they are concerned. I'm just concerned they might have some stupid rule forcing me to reclaim my luggage due to the 12 hour layover or that they'd have issue with me leaving the airport during the 12 hours. I am planning to check my carryon as I'll be headed and just carry my laptop case to make getting the Subway easier, NYC transit is a very hostile environment for luggage with lack of lifts and escalators. I'll be flying Delta in and out via Terminal 2, if anyone did similar before.