V-Flyer

Hi all

Thank you for your advice earlier this month with regards to VS18. I wondered if you could give any views on the queues at immigration at IAD. I'll be in Upper, but have been stung a couple of times at MIA. Also any recommendations on private transfers?

Thanks in advance!

It varies, but in my opinion has generally improved since they opened the new immigration hall a few years ago. Personal best is 5 mins; worst was nearly 3 hours. (Each time arriving on the 21.)

When you enter the bus thing that takes you to the terminal, don't go to the far end, as you disembark from the same end from which you entered.

Can't help with transfers, I'm afraid; I always take the Washington Flyer cabs.

My US airport immigration queue time record came from IAD in December last year, It was over 2hrs, just pipped JFK's record as well!!

IAD has been a nightmare every time I've arrived on the VS21. I've never queued for less than 1hr at IAD !

I always use the Washington Flyer bus & subway to get into the city.

Be prepared to run when you get out of the 'moon buggy' at IAD. I stayed at the right end of the vehicle and then got out and was almost mowed down by the crowd hurrying to hit the lines at Immigration. I had to stand to one side....

Oh joy! Does it make any difference arriving on a Saturday, or does that just compound problems!?!?!

Thanks for your tips - looking forward to joining the moonbuggy!

My guess would be that Saturday is an OK day. Sunday definitely isn't -- I was told by staff at IAD that mid-afternoon was the worst time in the week.

How's Friday afternoon? What's all this about a moon buggy to transfer????

catsilversword wrote:How's Friday afternoon? What's all this about a moon buggy to transfer????

It's a mobile lounge that takes you to the main terminal. When you de- plane and enter it, stay as close to the driver / operator as you can ( you'll get shouted at to move forward by the IAD ground staff and shoved by other passengers but try and stay where you are). You exit it the same way as you enter so those who move down to the front are the last to get out ( and further down the immigration queue) .
DL

catsilversword wrote:How's Friday afternoon? What's all this about a moon buggy to transfer????

This wiki page explains mobile lounge

IAD is horrible. Always. It seems to make absolutely no difference the day or time you get there either.

Expect at least an hour to get through, if you make it in less time count yourself lucky!

Well I for one shall certainly take the tip of the moon buggy and stay close to the driver... sounds just like priority boarding with easyjet when you get the bus to the plane and then the driver opens the doors at the same time.... scramble!! Just back from MIA and that was a 4.5 hour wait.... and we think we have problems Olympic week... not a soul at T5 queuing today!!

robbiechops wrote:Just back from MIA and that was a 4.5 hour wait.... and we think we have problems Olympic week... not a soul at T5 queuing today!!

4.5 hours at immigration? Yikes.

Thing is, over there they just shrug their shoulders and say "tough, if you want to enter our country you'll just have to wait".

Here, there are calls for a public inquiry and people start muttering about human rights abuses if someone has to wait an hour.

Yes folks 4.5 hours at MIA for immigration - a new record in my books, and not even a have a nice day... God bless America!

gumshoe wrote:Here, there are calls for a public inquiry and people start muttering about human rights abuses if someone has to wait an hour.

Ha ha ha ha, too true.

Just got to say that I am flying on the VS21 on Saturday. First time to DC and will make sure I pack a fresh book - I thought JFK was bad enough (my worst 2.5hrs - yes I was on the VS45 ha).. but 4.5 hrs at MIA - wow!!

Hopefully I will be fortunate ?| .. wish me luck y)

robbiechops wrote:Oh joy! Does it make any difference arriving on a Saturday, or does that just compound problems!?!?!

Thanks for your tips - looking forward to joining the moonbuggy!

My wife and I took the VS21 last year on a Saturday, we too were travelling UC so quickly off the plane, a work colleague had advised me to stay at the end of the moonbuggy so we were off that pretty quick too, however upon arrival at the Immigration Hall most of the Visitors desks were unstaffed and no one was invited to use the US desks, we lost count of the recorded message welcoming US Citizens home (being played on a five minute loop).

I think we cleared Immigration in a tad under two hours.

Well pleased to report it took less than 30 mins to clear when I went two weeks ago, and friendly immigration staff too - thanks for all the tips on moon buggy worked fantastically!