My son is flying to Rome from the US and has a connecting flight to Venice. I have been told that he has to claim his checked bags and take them through customs in Rome. He has no boarding pass for the Alitalia flight to Venice. How does he get his bags checked to Venice and pick up a boarding pass for the Alitalia flight? He only has a hour from the time his flight arrives in Rome and I'd like to let him know what he needs to do as he is traveling alone for the first time. Does he take his bags to the Alitalia counter and get a boarding pass there? Can he walk to this terminal?
Posted by
winston salem, nc, usa
1078 posts
There's an Alitilia desk he will walk past as he goes to carousel 4 to pick up his bags at FCO.
If I remember, FCO has a virtual tour on their website you can "walk though the process."
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
He shouldn't need a boarding pass to check his luggage all the way to Venice. After he clears Immigration in Rome he should be able to pick up the boarding pass at his departure gate for the Venice flight. I think one hour is cutting it very close. If it was me I would see if I could reschedule for a later flight to VCE.
Posted by
winston salem, nc, usa
1078 posts
Jeff's right--you're dealing with Italian time!
Posted by
OP
Columbus, OH, USA
10 posts
Thanks so much. He is in the air as we speak, so he can't re-schedule his connecting flight (but there are later flights to Venice if he misses his connection). He is flying USAir to Rome and then Alitalia to Venice. After he goes through passport control in Rome, he has to pick up his luggage doesn't he (even if the bags are checked through to Venice)? I am assuming he will then walk with his bags to an Alitalia check in counter in the domestic terminal to get them (and himself) on a flight to Venice. If this is incorrect, let me know. Thanks.
Posted by
Fanwood, NJ, USA
62 posts
As long as his bags are checked through to Venice, he will not need to pick them up in Rome. When arriving in Europe, immigration is done upon your first arrival airport while customs is done at your final destination (unlike coming into the US where customs is also done at your first arrival airport).
Posted by
OP
Columbus, OH, USA
10 posts
Right you are Paul. Although a US Air agent we had called days ago said he would have to get his bag in Rome and take it through customs, his bags were indeed checked through to Venice. He did miss his connecting flight but got put on the next Alitalia flight to Venice which, as it turns out, was the same flight his luggage ended up on. Good news--he and his bags are now at his residence in Venice where he is set to begin a semester-long his study abroad program. Thanks--you know more than those who work for the airlines!