maitaitom

I know there is no set answer, but what would be your best guess of time from landing until we pass through immigration, get our bags and be in arrival area for our car hire guy? I have to give them a guesstimation. Thanks.

Weekender

I landed at the Queen's Terminal 2 two weeks ago. First of all, there is a very long walk from the gates (UA) to immigration. Long line at immigration at 9 AM but moved surprisingly quickly. I would estimate 45-60 minutes and you should be good to go as your bags should be there when you reach baggage claim.

janisj

You mean a car service? Or a rental car?

There is really no way to tell -- how many other long haul flights ate the same time etc. But typically the driver has your flight number and monitors arrival times and plans accordingly. (I'm nit the best one to guestimate since I always travel carry-on only so don't know how long it can take for the luggage. But usually I hit the restroom, get cash out of the ATM and exit Customs before any bags are coming out the Carousel)

Also it can be quite a long walk from the gate to immigration

Are you flying in a premium cabin? If so, you deplane first you get a fast pass to bypass the long immigration lines.

In general -- I'd count on an hour. (When I fly Business, I'm usually through quite a bit faster - but again I don't have to wait for luggage)

janisj

>>I'm n<B>o</B>t the best one to guestimate . . . <<

bilboburgler

tom, where are you going to vacation? Always good to read the latest story.

Marija

I think your car hire guy would be best able to estimate the time. He should have lots of data.

HappyTrvlr

It took us an hour to clear through immigration. There was a fast line for Business Class.

janisj

Not to blow the whistle . . . but http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...to-go-stay.cfm

historytraveler

An hour is a decent guesstimate. I wouldn't rely on the car service to give you any better advice. They will monitor the flight and know what the ETA is but getting through passport control etc. is a bit of roll of the dice dependent on a number of factors. If it takes a bit longer to get through passport control, it means the baggage handlers have more time to get your bags to the carousel. I've found that if I get through quickly then I wait for bags, if it takes longer, bags are on carousel when I get there. I do know that it often seems to take longer that it actually does. I have traveled with fast pass for years. Usually it makes a difference but not always.

maitaitom

"where are you going to vacation? Always good to read the latest story."

Hi Bill.
4 Nights London
4 Nights Edinburgh
Then the craziness...
1 Night Callander
2 Nights Portree
1 Night Nairn area
1 Night Dunnottar Castle area
1 Night Falkland
Last night Queensferry

Then we'll come home to relax

flanneruk

I've no idea what question the poster is asking - or why the poster's asking it.

It's gratifying to see that a California-resident American has the same problem.

If the poster is being collected by some kind of taxi, the firm will follow the flight's progress, and disembarking passengers' progress through the airport, anyway. All anyone needs to tell the company is that they're arriving on EI462, with or without baggage.

If the poster is collecting a hire car (or as some dialects of our language insist on calling it, a rental car), all the poster needs to do is to go to the desk. It's immaterial what time.

Any other reason for needing to know this - inherently unknowable - information indicates a deeply mistaken choice of onward transport.

If your taxi company doesn't know how to estimate your time exiting Customs, you really ought to cancel the booking now.

FWIW, it took me 15 mins from touchdown to driving my car out of the T2 short-term car park at 0845 a couple of Sundays ago. T2 is shaping up to be exceptionally efficient.

maitaitom

Thanks as usual for your "thoughtful" answer flanneruk. The company picking us up asked how long after the flight landed did I want someone there to pick us up...not really hard to figure out since I jut was asking for an estimated time to get to arrivals after landing. I asked the question and got some good answers...except from you, of course. Sorry I don't know your exact terminology, but not to worry, I won't be in your country for long. We'll try to get by. Now I'll go back to my California dialect, which means I won't be an ass when someone asks a question.

janisj

>> The company picking us up asked how long after the flight landed did I want someone there to pick us up…<<

That seems quite weird to me. I have never (ever) had a car service ask me how long after touch down I want to be collected. Is this a legit car service? They do ask for a pick up time but that is never 'firm' because they use the want the flight # to check on the day.

>> Now I'll go back to my California dialect, <<

Now, don't get your knickers in a twist I <i>think</i> (pretty sure actually) the "California-resident" bit was re moi -- not you. Not even sure flanner knows where you are from.

maitaitom

Hi Janis,

ExclusiveAirports.com

janisj

OK -- I think I get it. The website says there is a 'benefit' to choose your own pick up time. I would assume that is only really used for a couple of situations: When different parties are coming in on different flights and want to ride into to town together . . . OR . . . if one has Arrivals Lounge access and you want to relax/eat/take showers etc.

maitaitom

One good thing...if we (well I guess that would be "me") screwed up, it will make for a better story. Thanks.

historytraveler

It's really not at all unusual to be asked how long after flight lands one want to be picked up. As I said in previous post, car services do keep track of when your flight lands. but it is often up to you to decide how long after landing you want to be picked up. It does leave one in a quandary trying to figure out just how long it'll take to get through the usual procedures. As I said, an hour is a reasonable guess. It you fly through in 15 minutes ( sorry, not usually possible on international flight, although I may have managed it once years ago being fleet of foot and no one ahead of me in fast track) you can always stop for a coffee etc.

bilboburgler

don't forget the midges protection tom