V-Flyer

When I get on to the bus that takes me from the plane to the immigration hall at Washington (from LHR), which end of the bus do I need to be at to minimise the queuing in the immigration hall? Is it the far end, or the end near the plane door, or the end wherever the drive is (or isn't!). I have a trip through Washington soon, and I need to minimise the time taken through immigration (travelling PE).

Thanks.

If you mean the mobile lounges then try to get in it last so you'll be first off it when it stops at the immigration hall.

You can spot the regular travellers - they are the ones who take one step inside, grab hold of a handrail and steadfastly refuse to 'move down the bus' [8D][;)]

Nick

Yes stay near the entrance you get on the lounge at (or as close to it as possible).

It is counter intuitive but the lounge reverses out of the infield terminal before driving into the main terminal.

Trying to get on last is a good idea, since the 'conductors' on the bus sometimes do bark at people who get on and sandwich themselves near the door ...

I was so happy when I read a similar thread some time ago here. We were off to Washington and having that snippet of info was brilliant. Mum and my Husband were sceptical, but I told them to trust me and they were glad they did![ii]

Just remember though that even if you are off the mobile lounge first, the immigration hall can still be packed that time of the afternoon.

These will soon go, unfortunately for forum posts, which delight the world over in discussing the proper order and behavior when approaching these scam machines; but fortunately for the poor sods who have to transit through this place. Still on schedule to disappear by year's end, so says the UA site. Myself, I mostly try and avoid IAD, though with United it can be quite the mileage booster to stop over, collect an extra 3k EQMs on a good week, which might put you over some significant threshold.

I read a while ago on the IAD website (or possibli the IAD page on wiki) that the mobile lounges would remain for international arrivals so as to keep the seperation of international / domestic and arriving / departing pax.

Could well be, tho' UA is advertising these as going completely. Not sure as it's not my base of ops. With UA I have on occasion connected through IAD internally, and never had to use the lounges. Then again never had to transfer terminals, which might be why. I just sort of assumed these would be going for everyone, as a result, otherwise why would they even bother to mention it? One for the locals, I suspect.

quote:Originally posted by slinky09
Trying to get on last is a good idea, since the 'conductors' on the bus sometimes do bark at people who get on and sandwich themselves near the door ...


Maybe its a training camp for the perfume sellers security staff at BAA facilities.[:w]

It's understandable, and yet still a terrific shame, that anyone would want to avoid IAD...as a work of architecture it's glorious.

GJ

The roof's a catenary, right? I'd look it up, but not now. I totally agree it's a remarkable building, and am glad they are revisiting a lot of the infrastructure to match. I suspect I'll be traveling through there a great deal more as it's the UA hub with the most varied connections to european cities - they have the only direct flights to Italy from the US for UA, for example.

Ok It was on this page on wiki where I read about the mobile lounges in the section headed 'terminals'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington ... al_Airport

but it says

quote:
The MWAA plans to retire the mobile lounge system for inter-terminal passenger movements in favor of an underground people mover and pedestrian walkway system (now in service to concourse B). However, some plane mates will remain in use to disembark international passengers and carry them to the International Arrivals Building, as well as to convey passengers to and from aircraft on hard stand (i.e., those parked remotely on the tarmac without access to jet bridges

I think this fits in with something that was mentioned by a recent IAS TR where the person used the mobile lounges on arrival but the walkway on departure.

Perhaps mr Vizbiz would be so kind as to confirm the arrangements upon his return.

quote:Originally posted by tontybear
Ok It was on this page on wiki where I read about the mobile lounges in the section headed 'terminals'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington ... al_Airport

but it says

quote:
The MWAA plans to retire the mobile lounge system for inter-terminal passenger movements in favor of an underground people mover and pedestrian walkway system (now in service to concourse B). However, some plane mates will remain in use to disembark international passengers and carry them to the International Arrivals Building, as well as to convey passengers to and from aircraft on hard stand (i.e., those parked remotely on the tarmac without access to jet bridges

I think this fits in with something that was mentioned by a recent IAS TR where the person used the mobile lounges on arrival but the walkway on departure.

Perhaps mr Vizbiz would be so kind as to confirm the arrangements upon his return.





Will do.

As of a few weeks ago - it was still the mobile lounges on arrival and the long underground walkway on departure.