Is 60 layover/transfer @ NY/Newwark EWR enough?

My memories of going through there are not pleasant, and 60 minutes isn't much time. However, it's on your way home. Last time I had this concern, I copied the list of all other connecting flights onto a single sheet and brought it with me; it gave me a little more flexibility in my discussions about rescheduling me.

Steve, It's my understanding that (unlike typical process), that US travelers go through a Pre-Clearance Customs/ Immigration/Luggage Check at the Shannon Airport, which will save time once back in the US. Check www.shanonairport.com and click on the US Pre-Clearance tab (after clicking on At The Airport in the title bar)to see if you understand it the same way I do. That will help your chances of making a 60-minute connection. But, take into consideration the time it takes to de-board a plane these days, and since your connection would start pre-boarding well ahead
of take-off time, I'd personally not want a 60-minute connection these days. Let us all know how the Pre-Clearance process goes in Shannon. Safe travels.

Newark is the most screwed up, Hogan's goat operation in the world except for Manila. I seem to pass through the place four of five times a year and nothing has ever gone right. I'm the champion of short-time connections and can really hustle. With only an hour, there'd be back-up plans coming out my ears.

I agree with Ed, EWR is third world. The longest immigration lines are there. However you come from Ireland, and Ireland is the only place in Europe where you will go through US immigration over there (like Toronto). That is your saving grace.

Newark has some issues, but to compare it to a third-world airport is harsh and also a bit racist. Newark is the closest international airport from where I live, and I use it frequently. IMO Terminal C is one of the best facilities in the US (checkout the Garden State Diner) and I have zero problems with it. But of course I don't have to change planes there;) The airport has two immigration/customs halls at terminals B&C. Since about five years ago, when the airlines started cutting back their schedules the immigration hall at termianl C (United's Hub) has been mostly shuttered, so all international flights (including United) have to deboard at terminal B. This is bizarre because most people with connecting flights will need to use United's terminal C hub. If the powers the be simply switched immigration halls, most of the issues would vanish. While people do miss flights, the airlines wouldn't issue connecting tickets unless you had a reasonable chance of making the connection. The last thing they want to do is pay to put you up in a hotel overnight.

What does racism have to do with being a "third world" inefficient airport? I've never heard of airports belonging to an ethnic group. What's the ethnicity of EWR airport? Asian, Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic?

Guys and gals, thanks for all of the wonderful info. Sherry, I'll do just that; map out alternates. And I'll have to find out what Ap I can install on my IPhone to give me real time flight option info. Margaret, thanks so much for the link and info. Rick does not cover this in his book, but I found info in Lonely Planet. That airport web site said that I need to complete all of our Pre-Clearance 1 hr prior to flight, so I'll make sure that we get there early. Uncle Ed and Roberto; I'l be prepared, but I hope EWR is not as bad as Philly...never again will I use US Air and/or Philly for any type of connection. Michael, thanks for all the super info sbout the airport. I'll check out the map of the airport and verify terminal info. Again, thanks to all for the info! Steve

Steve: That's exactly what I'm doing for an upcoming trip on United across the other big ocean west of us...making advance back up plans just in case. I have two tight connections from DSM before my transpacific leg...35 minutes and 50 minutes. It's all United...no codeshare, so that should help. I also don't need to go through immigration on the way out...another time saver. Still, I'll be sweating it a little. I have two back-up options for later that same day. After that, I would need to wait until the next day, and that's no good. I've been okay in the past, but tight connections always get me a tad frazzled. Good luck!

Michael, I learned about tight connections in two places; Rome, and Philly. I was duly warned about Philly, and found out about Rome the "hard way". In Rome it never seemed to matter how early we got there; something would go wrong. Every dang time we have been thru there. And in Philly with US Air, we had to run (sprint!) to get to our connecting flight, on the way over the pond, and shanghai an electric cart (after a 2 hour fiasco in Customs) on our trip home. Oh well, this mess is on a return, so "no worry, mate". And it is all on United...no codeshares. If it is stresful, i'll make up for it with plenty of libations on the next leg.