We will be returning from Venice to Paris then Detroit to Richmond this November and would like any information about passing through immigration in Detroit.[ Kiosks?] [Time?] We are due to arrive in Detroit at 630 PM on Air France and leave for Richmond at 812 PM. Thanks for your advice and information.
Posted by
Milwaukie, Oregon
1056 posts
Download Mobile Passort app. One app works for all members of a family at the same residence. This app is free and will speed you through immigration. Fill out the initial info on the app. When you land, just add the last minute info required by the app — flight number, arrival time, etc. you’ll get through immigration in no time. Not as fast as a Global Entry but it’s free compared to $100.
Posted by
Chicago
7811 posts
Fill out the blue customs card that they pass out on the plane while air born.
The bottom line is the flights from Venice and Paris could be delayed screwing up all the connections.
Posted by
Westland, MI
716 posts
Unfortunately, Detroit Metropolitan Airport has not implemented Mobile Passport.
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
Fill out the blue customs card that they pass out on the plane while air born.
Do they still use those forms at immigration in Detroit? Boston, for example, is all mechanized kiosks (at least for US passport holders), whether or not you have Global Entry. The first time I confronted that a few years ago we filled out the card, then discovered we had wasted our time because we just had to answer the questions on the screen.
Posted by
Westland, MI
716 posts
We used mechanized kiosks at Detroit (don't have Global Entry). What I most remember is my smashed box of Lauderee's macaroons when I was pulled from the line and put through an additional machine. I live nearby and have flown countless times in and out of DET. I was furious.
Posted by
United States
3 posts
I have not timed it, but immigration through Detroit is rather quick and painless. It is much, much faster than though cities such as New York, Atlanta or Miami.
Posted by
Chicago
7811 posts
Do they still use those forms at immigration in Detroit?
I am not sure but for some reason the government (contrary to reduction paper work act) still pass those forms out on the way to O'hare Chicago even though those Kiosks are there. I always end up with that form
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5835 posts
You can check historic airport wait time using the US Customs and Boarder airport wait time web tool:
For example, looking at Detroit Wyane County:
North Terminal 7/1/2018 between 1200 and 1300:
Avg wait for US citizens = 25 min
Max wait for US citizens = 41 min
Max wait for non-US = 58 min
In contrast, McNamara Terminal 7/1/2018 between 1100 and 1200:
Avg wait for US citizens = 4 min
Max wait for US itizens = 14 min
Max wait for non-US = 16 min
McNamara Terminal 7/1/2018 bweteen 1800 and 1900:
Avg wait for US citizens = 9 min
Max wait for US itizens = 36 min
Flights = 4
Posted by
Westland, MI
716 posts
While McNamara is a marvel I still normally find my airport to be anything but painless. Our last flight from Paris to Detroit arrived at McNamara at 4 PM on a Saturday and our wait was at least 45 minutes. It's usually at least 30 minutes. I'm sure it varies wildly depending on day and time. Sometimes the personnel can be more unpleasant than is really necessary. But I've also had some perfectly fine experiences at DET in the past 42 years. The airport's traffic continues to grow and Delta added non-stops to Munich a while back.