change planes in Amsterdam
 

I am flying from US to Glasgow Scotland GB and I have a layover in Amsterdam. Supposedly my luggage will be checked straight through to Glasgow according to Northwest. Some friends say I will have to retrieve my luggage in Amsterdam, go through customs and then put it back on connecting flight to Glasgow. Is this true? I am US citizen. Will the same thing happen in Amsterdam on my way back to the US from Glasgow? Another question, will I have trouble taking fresh,peeled, cut up fruit into Amsterdam and or Glasgow?

We have flown via Amsterdam to Africa several times and you can simply check your luggage straight thru and not worry about retrieving it in Holland and re-checking it. Clear customs in Glasgow.

Dunno about the fruit, I'm pretty sure you're fine coming into Amsterdam as a transit passenger and would only get screened if you were trying to take it out of the airport. Dunno about Glasgow.

Bill

You might want to post on the Europe board also

Not sure if my first post worked or not - I can't see it. If it did, sorry for repeating my self.
Assuming your onward flight is with NW/KLM your luggage will be checked through to Glasgow, you will have to go through passport control (I think!) and security (for sure) but no need to collect your bags.
It's only in The US that you have to go through customs with your bags at you first point of arrival. (A good case for transfers within Europe I always think!)

No problem with the fruit, but why would you take that with you - won't you have eaten it on the flight from the US.
Don't try doing it going home again

Your friends are confused. The whole process is simple and, depending how fast you walk, can be done in less than 10 minutes.

You get off the plane. Walk to your next gate. You will clear security at the next gate. That is it. Any connection time over 1-1/2 hours will give you enough time to shop and eat and relax.

You do not even clear passport control, as the UK is not a signatory to the Schengen treaty. You will clear passport control in the UK.

The security at the gate thing should be mentioned again. It a) means you need to allow some time for this, and b) means you are stuck in a holding pen once through security. I usually head to the gate area around the time boarding is called. I then wander around to the nearby shops, grab a drink, etc. When the line is down to the last couple of people, I head on over. This minimizes the time sitting in what are usually overcrowded seating areas.

The procedure on the way back will be similar. If you fly direct from Amsterdam to your final destination in the US, you will clear customs and passport control at your US destination. If you connect to another flight in the US, you will clear passport control at your point of entry to the US, collect your bags, clear customs, re-check your bags, and re-clear security. A hassle, and why I try to connect in Europe if at all possible.

Thank you so much for the replies. This is my first time out of US (except for Canada, but I drove there) So I am gathering I will have most of my time and trouble with luggage in Detroit when I change to go to Midland/Bay City/Saginaw. Amsterdam to Glasgow and Glasgow to Amsterdam should be a breeze.

And the answer to the fruit question - I will not be eating it. My friends in Glasgow visited me and fell in love with what we call Bay City Honeyrocks (a melon) and I would love to take some to them. So I could do either carry on or checked baggage if it will be allowed into Glasgow.

Thank you again for your help

Didn't even see the fruit question. The short answer is that you shouldn't bring it. It is generally a no-no and might lead to a lot of hassle.

Thank you - guess I will just not mention it to them then lol

Don't try to take fresh fruit, vegetables, or meat thru customs.

Really the fruit will not be a problem as far as I can see. Just walk through the green channel and you'll be fine.
Assuming it gets through security that is of course.