international flight luggage pick-up waiting time
 

So I booked a flight on Delta from PVG to JFK (PVG-LAX-JFK). Anyone got an idea about how long it takes you to get your luggage once you get off the plane at the final destination? I do have another 'connecting' flight at LGA, so I am trying to measure the time :(

FYI - Your flight from LAX to JFK is a "domestic flight" not an "international flight" not that it matters since it usually takes anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes after the plane lands for checked luggage to arrive at the carrousel regardless of where the flight is coming from.

I've always found that Murphy's Law of Airports alway applies when you have a connection and in your case because your connection is at a different airport (LGA) Murphy will be out in force. Plan on waiting 40 minutes or so for your luggage at JFK. If it gets to the carrousel sooner all well and good.

And, of course, since you will be in the US, you will clear immigration in LAX, AND you will collect your checked bags at LAX and clear customs, and then drop your bags as you leave customs so they can be reloaded for the flight to JFK.

@thursdaysd Thanks for the post!
I did not know I need to pick up my checked bags at LAX as well. I will confirm with the airport agent. Usually (my friends said) they would get the customers' luggage transferred to the next plane so we do not need to do it on our own? I am not sure though.
Thanks!

Thanks @RoamsAround for the information!

When flying internationally into the US you almost always have to clear Immigration, claim your luggage, clear Customs and recheck your luggage at the first airport you land in in the USA. There are a couple of exceptions if you are arriving from an airport in a foreign country that has a "pre clearance" for US Immigration & Customs (go here for a list: https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/...s/preclearance ).

Since your departure city (Singapore) is not on the list you'll clear US Immigration & Customs in LAX. That means even though your luggage will be "tagged" through to your final destination you'll have to claim your luggage after you clear Immigration at LAX and once you are through Customs you'll recheck the luggage - there will be a "luggage rechecking station" just outside the exit from the Customs Hall. the re-checking process is simple and quick - usually taking no more than a minute or two.

FYI - After you recheck your luggage you then follow the signs to "Connecting Flights" where you'll go through the TSA checkpoint and then on to the departure gate for your connecting flight.

Oops! Let me clarify one thing. that last sentence should read:

FYI - After you recheck your luggage you then follow the signs to "Connecting Flights" where you'll go through the TSA checkpoint and then on to the departure gate for your connecting flight to JFK.

You'll have to claim your luggage at JFK and carry it with you to LGA and recheck it when you get to that airport which, I guess, was the whole purpose of your original question.

>>I did not know I need to pick up my checked bags at LAX as well. I will confirm with the airport agent. Usually (my friends said) they would get the customers' luggage transferred to the next plane so we do not need to do it on our own? I am not sure though. <<

No need to confirm w/ any agent. RoamdAround gave you the info - but just another/further explanation. When flying to the USA you have to go through Customs at your very first point of entry, in your case, LAX. To go through Customs one needs their luggage.

>>Usually (my friends said) they would get the customers' luggage transferred to the next plane<<

That happens with other flights (for instance domestic flights totally within the US, from the US to Europe, etc) - but not for flights into the US (except some instances where one goes through US Customs say in Canada -- but that does not apply in your case)

Yes, the US is a complete outlier on this. While it is annoying, I wonder if it is because the US has many domestic airports that don't handle international flights.

The OP is flying Int'l-US1-US2. 100% have to clear customs at point of entry, US1, which is LAX for the OP. There are a few airports that don't require one to collect bags (IAH, DFW, MIA), etc, but those are for Int'l-US-Int'l flights.

<<Usually (my friends said) they would get the customers' luggage transferred to the next plane so we do not need to do it on our own>>

Not in the US they don't. Make sure you're off this thought process. You MUST claim your stuff in LAX, then you're going to claim it in JFK.

I haven't flown through LAX recently, but my luggage was out within 20 minutes the last time (3 years ago). But a friend who flies there weekly says you need to allow at least 45 minutes to be sure. However, clearing immigration can easily take that long at LAX, so your luggage may be waiting for you.

Similarly, JFK seems to be particularly slow with luggage. There are times when I've seen my bags within 30 minutes (such as two weeks ago, from British Airways) or times when it's been more like 45 minutes. It seems to be never less than 30 minutes, but I do think the time varies by the amount of luggage.

Then you have to allow at least 45 minutes for the drive to LGA from JFK. It usually takes 15 minutes, but yesterday when I dropped off someone at JFK, it was over 30 minutes to LGA, and I've seen worse on weekends. I would never book a flight into JFK and out of LGA with anything less than 4 hours between.

>> But a friend who flies there weekly says you need to allow at least 45 minutes to be sure<<

Even IF the luggage comes out quickly -- there is often a loooooong queue for the bag drop after Customs.

Yes, and we have the same problem at JFK. Although immigration was an absolute mess the last time I flew in (Terminal 8), the new automated kiosks generally get you through very quickly if you are a US citizen. The line now is for Customs, and that almost invariably snakes all around the luggage area every time I've been through JFK.

Even if immigration takes 10 minutes, Customs has started taking 20 or 30, which is disgraceful and ridiculous, but there you have it.

"Customs has started taking 20 or 30, which is disgraceful and ridiculous, but there you have it."

Especially when you remember that in Europe you just walk through the green door. Takes zero time.

>>Especially when you remember that in Europe you just walk through the green door. Takes zero time.<<

AND that is typically at one's final destination - not at point of entry to Schengen.

Thus ... why Global Entry is such a value (only $100 for 5 years). If you are qualified for it, it's the best travel bargain out there.

But right now it is very difficult to get an appointment. My closest location is Charlotte, and it has NO slots available!

You waited too long!

If you are having a problem getting an appointment for a Global Entry or Precheck, look for an office the next time you fly.

For example, I was at Terminal 4 at JFK a few weeks ago, and I could have gotten my interview on the spot (literally no wait) if I'd known. But I didn't find out until I was already through security (it was pre-security).

There's also a Global Entry/Pre-Check office at DFW that often has no wait. I was told last time I was through I could complete the process in about 20 or 30 minutes, but I didn't have time. So I have an interview in a couple of weeks here in Manhattan.