Looking into a road trip from Dulles flying Premium Economy. Would be grateful for any idea as to how long from landing to hitting the road? 2 adults minimal luggage, pre-booked carhire through Virgin with Alamo.
To answer your question, 'how long does it take from landing to hitting the road?' from personal experiance a couple of years ago and from what I have heard the immigration at Dulles is one of the worst in the US, it took me about 1 hours and i've heard other people have taken longer, if that is any help to you?
Thanks Dave, just trying to get an idea of how far we can drive after landing so that I can pre-book the hotel for the night. I was figuring on 2 hrs or less 
I went to Dulles in Feb of this year and immigration was terrible, all the flights came in @ the same time. I think it took us just short of two hours just to get through. Saying that once your through there it should be a breeze to get your car.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Dulles isn't my favourite point of entry into the US for the reasons above
Another delaying factor is the stupid scissor buses that they use for moving people around. If I remember correctly, you need to sit down right by the door you get in at, to get off first. Getting this wrong can easily undo the advantage of Premium / UC disembarkation
Another delaying factor is the stupid scissor buses that they use for moving people around. If I remember correctly, you need to sit down right by the door you get in at, to get off first. Getting this wrong can easily undo the advantage of Premium / UC disembarkation
The mobile lounges to immigration are still in use and it will depend on what lands around the same time which is usually everything - QR, AF, KL, BA, OS etc.
The queues were very long a few weeks ago but make sure you stay by the entrance door to the mobile lounge as you will be first into immigration.
The queues were very long a few weeks ago but make sure you stay by the entrance door to the mobile lounge as you will be first into immigration.
When I went through in May, we landed behind an Air France, Qatar and possibly an Air India. Be prepared for at least an hour if not more and be prepared for a *very* hot immigration hall.
Even the crew weren't through before me. And as the others have said grab a seat when you get in the mobile lounge - do not move down towards the end and then be prepared for the mass run at the other end. I was nearly mown down in May.
By the time you get through immigration your bags will be waiting for you in a pile by the side of one of the belts (it was in a corner in May) and then its straight through to Customs and then out.
(edited for spelling and to add information)
Even the crew weren't through before me. And as the others have said grab a seat when you get in the mobile lounge - do not move down towards the end and then be prepared for the mass run at the other end. I was nearly mown down in May.
By the time you get through immigration your bags will be waiting for you in a pile by the side of one of the belts (it was in a corner in May) and then its straight through to Customs and then out.
(edited for spelling and to add information)
Tinkerbelle wrote:...... make sure you stay by the entrance door to the mobile lounge as you will be first into immigration.
It is always fun getting on them. Regular IAD fliers know to stay as close to the entrance door as possible, but the simple laws of physics mean that no everyone can stand next to the door - especially if people are still trying to get on.
B) Nick
I should add that the other week we landed the same time as KL and AF and the queue just to get on the mobile lounge was ridiculous and that was before you even got to immigration! :0
Got to ask....
What is a 'Mobile Lounge'?
It is like a mobile disco?!!!
What is a 'Mobile Lounge'?
It is like a mobile disco?!!!
rich1664 wrote:Got to ask....
What is a 'Mobile Lounge'?
It is like a mobile disco?!!!
Plenty pictures here. 8D
rich1664 wrote:Got to ask....
What is a 'Mobile Lounge'?
It is like a mobile disco?!!!
A relic of a byegone age where they were designed to take pax to/from their plane from the terminal.
A little bit of fun now, but as others have said stay at the door where you get on (or as close as you can). It is counter intuitive I know but they reverse out of the terminal.
Once the air train is fully finished the mobile lounges will go but its still needed at the moment to keep arriving and departing pax security seperated.
Huzzah for International Jet-setting !
rich1664 wrote:Got to ask....
What is a 'Mobile Lounge'?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_lounge
Nick
I think this would make them more acceptable !
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Huzzah for International Jet-setting !
'She who must be obeyed' has now decided that she would rather fly into MCO doh!!!! Same question applies though, can we get off and through MCO in under 2 hrs and hit the road???
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