Traveling to Germany for first time on CO through EWR. Will we be able to go outside to smoke after going through customs or do we have to go directly to the next gate?

By going through customs, I assume you mean checking in at the airport. Going outside at that point is no problem. It's going through security that will restrict your outdoor movement.

No, not checking in at airport. We are arriving in EWR from IAH with a 4 hour layover then flying on to FRA. I think we have to get our bags in EWR and go through customs but after that I don't know if we'll be able to go outside or not?

Susan, because your both flights are on Continental your bags will be tagged and checked in Houston all the way to your destination. You do not need to collect them or go through customs in Newark. Your passport will be checked in Houston. With four hours you will have a plenty of time to go outside and smoke. I do not smoke so I don't know whether Newark airport has a policy how far you have to be from a building. Anyway, we travel to Europe very often on Continental and only on the way back you will have to go through immigration in EWR, then collect your bags, then go through customs. Finally you need to follow signs for transit and recheck you bags there. Once your bags are re-checked you will be on a lower level so if you have enough time you can go outside and smoke. Then you need to go upstairs, and go through security inspection with your carry on luggage. After that just check your gate again and wait for your flight to Houston. Your bags will be tagged all the way to Houston in Frankfurt. If you are flying First/Business class you may use the Presidents Club in IAH and EWR on the way to Europe. There is no smoking in the clubs.

Although those of us lucky enough to be in Texas like to consider oursleves a " Whole 'nother Country" . . US Customs and Immigration do not agree . . you will not have to clear customs in NY comming in from Texas

Rich

Everyone has given you the correct info -- my question is WHY did you think you'd have to go through customs?

IAH to EWR is a domestic flight. And even if it weren't - you don't go through customs to leave the country.

Read this thread on Flyertalk:

www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=355381

No place to smoke INSIDE Terminal C. Must go out of there. Which means you need to reclear security after your smoke. With 4 hours you have time to do that.

rkwan, why do you think you need to repeat what previous posters already wrote? You like to emphasize you are an expert, don't you? Are you saying there is no smoking allowed only in terminal C? No true, there is no smoking allowed in any terminal in EWR. You repeat statements often on the airline forum. You do this often.

Thanks for all the answers!

Janisj, the reason I'm concerned about going through customs is because my mom went to Germany last July and CO told her her bags would be checked all the way through to FRA but on the plane to EWR everyone was told they will need to collect their bags and go through customs? She said she didn't have time to catch her connecting flight so she asked someone from CO to please check her bags through. So I've asked her repeatedly about this and maybe she is confused...maybe she didn't have to go through customs but had to re-check her bags??? Seems to me like once we leave IAH we shouldn't have to touch our bags again until arriving in FRA.

I did go to the EWR website and saw that smoking is permitted in bars. I'd much rather have the fresh air!

Susan, what your mother described happens on the way BACK from Frankfurt NOT after connecting in Newark FROM Houston.
So, you are a smoker who likes the fresh air?

z - I don't think I repeated anything that was said here in this thread. And I found an useful thread on FT about smoking at EWR for the OP. I think that can be quite useful.

I am not a smoker, and therefore I went to do some research for the OP. And that thread on FT does suggest some places INSIDE A and B that allows smoking inside.

Also, EWR's official website says smoking may be allowed at certain "liquor bars". So, I was hoping maybe the OP doesn't need to get out of security at C for a smoke; no such luck.

Sometime in April smoking will be banned in all public places in New Jersey (excluding casinos).

Oddly enough Pat2003, I smoke but absolutely detest the smell! So yes, I prefer to be outdoors when possible. I once went to a smoke area inside the terminal in Cincinnati and I gagged. Seems where ever there is a smoke area, there is not adequate ventilation. Maybe that is "their" way of trying to get us smokers to quit? hmmm