What happens after you get off the plane?

[vielame]

Really as the header says what happens after you get off the plane? I just ask because of my three year old kiddie. It's been 7 years since I've been so didn't have DS then or OH!! Just want to be well informed and prepared?

Gawd I'm such a worrier:scared:

[ELAINE]

are you flying to Orlando intl of to Sanford?

[Tiggers Friend]

From the aircraft you will make your way to Immigration, you need to have completed your green VWP form (one for each traveller) gven to you on the plane, plus one white customs form.

Through Immigration, which can take a while, to baggage collect (trolleys available) and customs.

At Sanford that's it you're out and on your way to car hire etc.

At Orlando you need to drop your bags again and then go up stairs to get the monorail to the main terminal. Once in the main terminal head for the baggage collection point (you will have been told the A or B side (Virgin is A) and belt number). Collect you bags (trolleys can be hired for non-returnable 2 dollars) and then head for the car hire desks one floor down.

Hope this helps. :)

[UK Deb]

The second baggage reclaim is no longer necessary at Orlando International. You can take your cases with you on the tram across to the main terminal, although if you have a lot of bags, it's still possible to relinquish them after customs and collect them again once you reach the main terminal.

[ELAINE]

I don't know if its a new thing but the tips thread on here suggested one person collecting the cases while the driver goes to wait at car hire but at Sanford we had to wait for cases and then go through security as a family. If its possible at Orlando though i would imagine it could save a fair bit of time

[UK Deb]

Historically that's what we've done at Orlando International, Elaine, and you're right - it's saved us loads of time. However, now that the second baggage claim has been removed from the process everyone will be hot-footing it to the car hire desks once they reach the main terminal.

[Catlady]

If you are arriving at Orlando airport have a look at this...

http://www.orlandoairports.net/arrive/arrive.htm

[Tiggers Friend]

The second baggage reclaim is no longer necessary at Orlando International. You can take your cases with you on the tram across to the main terminal, although if you have a lot of bags, it's still possible to relinquish them after customs and collect them again once you reach the main terminal.

You are quite correct UK Deb, you can indeed carry your bags through and up onto the tram, but for comfort it does depend on the bags to person ratio.

Also with car hire it is worth noting that if you travelling independently there are car hire desks on the A and B side. Most Virgin customers will now be heading to the A side, but if you can consider going to the B side as it will possibly be less busy.

[vielame]

Its orlando we fly into.

How awful are the TSA as we have american tourister suitcases which are supposed to be TSA friendly and we have TSA straps! Say we lock the combination on the case will they really drill it open? Virgin advise you lock them TSA say don't! What do you guys do?

[vielame]

Thanks for the link the first picture looks familiar! How long on average does it take thinking of DS bladder!!

[Tiggers Friend]

Its orlando we fly into.

How awful are the TSA as we have american tourister suitcases which are supposed to be TSA friendly and we have TSA straps! Say we lock the combination on the case will they really drill it open? Virgin advise you lock them TSA say don't! What do you guys do?

We always lock our cases.

[Tiggers Friend]

Thanks for the link the first picture looks familiar! How long on average does it take thinking of DS bladder!!

If I remember correctly there are loos in the Customs Hall.

[ELAINE]

There were toilets ( or should i say restrooms) in the hall at Sanford. My DS won't go on the plane so it was the first thing that we looked for!! so i am sure there will be at Orlando as well:)

[loobylou]

I'm sure they were in the baggage reclaim area as the kids used them while we were waiting for our friends to get through immigration.

[vielame]

Phew why am i such a worrier?!? Lol So I should totally bolt and lock my cases?

[loobylou]

Phew why am i such a worrier?!? Lol So I should totally bolt and lock my cases?

We don't even lock ours!!!

[Tiggers Friend]

Phew why am i such a worrier?!? Lol So I should totally bolt and lock my cases?

We always lock ours. You need to check your insurance policy as this may make clear their position on it. No lock may mean no claim if anything goes missing.

[Catlady]

We lock ours using TSA approved locks.

[Susan Veness]

If you use non-TSA approved locks, they WILL (or CAN) break them to gain access to your cases if they feel they need to check them.

[vielame]

What even combination locks built into the case?!?!:eek:

[Simon Veness]

Sadly, yes. They can gain access to any kind of case if they feel the need (and the law says they have that authority). However, the reality is that very few cases are actually checked (I would say we get the TSA 'we checked your luggage' insert about 1 in every 6 or 7 trips with luggage), but it is certainly wise to have TSA-approved locks these days for the return flight. You can lock your cases on the way to the US, though.

[spencem]

If they feel the need they will open it. If the can't force the lock then they will just cut it in half.

I've never locked a bag, but interesting point about travel insurance rules, I'll have to double check before my next flight.

[loobylou]

Our cases must look dodgy, we get the TSA insert in one of our bags every trip to america!!

[Susan Veness]

Me too, loobylou. My bag ALWAYS gets checked when I travel solo. Not sure what I'm putting in there that makes them look (curling iron, maybe?) but they look every time. Therefore, I always make sure my unmentionables are nice ones when I travel. :D

[loobylou]

I also do ALL my washing before I come home;):o

[Tiggers Friend]

We put a second opened lock in each case with a polite note asking for the case to be relocked. Can't say it works as fortunately never had one opened. :laughing:

[sex kitten]

I think I can count on one hand the number of trips to the USA that I havent had one case opened.
The odd assortment of not your normal holiday goodies packed inside, may just have something to do with it.
After all, there is normally a tenpin bowling ball or two:cheers:

All joking apart, I never put anything of real value in the cases, but have been at the luggage carousel when cases that have been opened/cut have come off in sealed plastic bags. But as spencem say's, will be off to check the travel insurance to see what the position is. :happy-thumb

[vielame]

My insurance says they need to be locked:happy-thumb

[Catlady]

As I said before the TSA locks can be opened by the officials (they have some sort of master key) which means they should put them back on again. These can be bought quite cheaply at Asda and Tescos.

[scottygal]

Having another 1 of my many blonde moments....What is TSA locks?

Thanks

[Tiggers Friend]

Having another 1 of my many blonde moments....What is TSA locks?

Thanks

Transportation Security Administration - the US authority responsible for safe transport. As catlady says there are locks you can buy that the TSA have a master key for.

[scottygal]

Thank you so much TF.....I will certainly purchase those soon.

[visitor]

You are quite correct UK Deb, you can indeed carry your bags through and up onto the tram, but for comfort it does depend on the bags to person ratio.

Also with car hire it is worth noting that if you travelling independently there are car hire desks on the A and B side. Most Virgin customers will now be heading to the A side, but if you can consider going to the B side as it will possibly be less busy.

I am with BA do you know what side I will be?

[UK Deb]

BA is still terminal B. :happy-thumb

[vielame]

My luggage strap is TSA but not really sure about the combo lock in the case they the company said it should be but I can't see how it can be:confused:

[Angelmouse5]

With luggage do not make your holdall look square, we got caught coming through in Feb 2007, with S Kitten & spencem, my Dsis in law and DH. As there was 5 of us they wanted to check, everything was fine but DS did not help by joking that his aunt was smuggling something, (he was only 11):eek: See DH face:angry: with DS Oh dear:o:cry:

[visitor]

BA is still terminal B. :happy-thumb

thank you x