Connecting Flights in Dulles

Re Secure area in Dulles.
We returned via Dulles last summer. They do not keep you in a secure area. Which was nuts, as the exit from customs was through a wall and into the security lines, there seems to be no reason they could not have routed you around to the other side, as this was the customs for connecting flights (they apparently have 2 customs areas). Especially as you were secure into customs. To make it even stupider, we were bused from one terminal building to another for customs, and when we finally got though security (they have the old style machines and did not like my hip implants, nor the crippled old lady in a wheelchair in front of me) we then had to find our way to their internal subway to be taken back not only to that first terminal, but to 3 gates away from where we were came in. Luckily (?) we had 2 1/2 hours between flights. Completely unpleasant experience, and we will ont ever take a route through Dulles again (and were only on this because of stupid connections, we had to fly Munich to Dulles to Philly rather than direct.)

The reason you have to go back through security again is that you had access to your checked luggage prior to customs. Remember you have to take all of your luggage through customs. For example you can have more than 3 oz in checked luggage but not in carry on. This creates a problem you bought more than 3oz of liquids in duty free which is behind security so now that has to go into your checked luggage. It is a pain.

To amplify Franks' point: I don't know specifics about Dulles connections. But when returning to the US from another country (unless it's one where you can go through customs before departure, like Canada or Ireland), you go through customs and immigration at your first point of entry into the US. Therefore, returning from Zurich through Dulles to LA, at Dulles you will have to go through immigration (passport check), then collect ALL your luggage (checked and carry-on), then go through customs, then recheck your luggage (usually there's a desk right outside customs to simplify this), then go back through security for your domestic flight to Los Angeles. So, having only carry-ons does speed you up through the process, but it's only part of the story. And yes, because you've left a secure area, you ALWAYS have to go back through security after leaving customs. A point of confusion for many: security, customs, and immigration are three separate things. Immigration is about people crossing borders; customs is about goods going into or out of a country; and security is about safety in the air and on the ground. So, for instance, if you bring home a lot of expensive wine: immigration won't care, customs will want to make sure you've paid proper duty and observed quantity limits for such items, and security will not let you take it in your carry-on, but make you check it.

Just about every airport that I have connected through has required me to go back through a security check following immigration so I don't think that is anything unique to Dulles. I've never connected in Dulles, but I start and end my flights there most of the time. Dulles has two immigration areas and the one you use depends on your airline and whether or not you are connecting. United passengers come into a secure corridor in the C terminal. The corridor will split with passengers who have flight connections on United going through immigration in the C terminal and other passengers being directed to a mobile lounge which takes them to immigration in the main terminal. I've never been through immigration in the C terminal, so can't comment on the logistics there. I'm assuming that both your flights are on United so you will likely stay in the C terminal. I've rarely had to wait for my bag after exiting immigration. Usually, by the time I get through immigration it is already on the belt. If there is a hold up, it is more likely going to be waiting in the immigration line.

By the way, here is the immigration info for Dulles. www.metwashairports.com/dulles/884.htm

Re Frank's reply:
We had carry-on only, and there should have been a way to get us through directly - since we were told to choose between CONNECTING FLiGHTS or leaving the terminal. There were two routes.

No, you have to go through security again when arriving from abroad regardless of luggage. The US does not trust foreign security and will always send you through security again when connecting. It's the same in Europe, you always go through security when arriving from outside of Europe and connecting.

"...It's the same in Europe, you always go through security when arriving from outside of Europe and connecting...." Not at Munich Airport. Last March I went from Newark to Munich to Barcelona, the only security check was in Newark. On the return home I went Amsterdam to Frankfurt to Newark, the only security check was in Amsterdam.

Not sure about Larry's experience. We came back through Dulles and also through Kennedy in the last two years. In both instances we had to go through immigration and customs at our arrival port (Dulles and kennedy) and go out into the general public area to get to our connecting flights to Los Angeles. Then of course back through a security check to get into the departure gate areas. You have to go through Customs and Immigration at your first USA arrival town. Once through Customs there was a desk to check luggage for our LAX flight Flying to Europe, you dont need to see your bags at Dulles, but you will probably have to go through security to get to your Zurich light. United's overseas flights departed from a secure area at Dulles

Thank you all for taking the time to give me your excellent advice. I had the same problem coming in through Dallas Ft Worth, but had hoped Dulles would be better. "God save the bureaucrats."