US help.

[Neways]

I can't seem to quote and reply to any post. I'm travelling in a group of 4, so we're splitting cost for the wifi frm changi recommends. Cost of rental plus insurance for the wifi is more than SGD100. So if you are travelling alone, you might wanna consider ShinyThing's suggestion. I'm getting both as husband needs to make calls back to office regularly. Unless someone has a better suggestion? Cost saving suggestion?

 

[Hisashiburi]

Ya u got it right.

Luggage can be checked all the way through to dc but after clearing immigration at jfk, have to pick up luggage.
Right after picking up luggage, there should be a luggage sorting/drop off location.

The boarding passes should be issued at tpe.

I'll be flying to US end of the month and transiting JFK (New York) from Terminal 1 (Japan Airlines) to Terminal 8 (American Airlines) then fly to DCA (Washington DC).

Anybody knows what is the procedure for the transit? I already applied the US ESTA and will have probably 2 checked baggage.

I heard I'll have to go through immigration, pick up the checked luggage, go through customs security check, then drop off the checked luggage on some international luggage belt then proceed to Terminal 8. The luggage should be tagged all the way to DCA and I should be able to get the boarding pass at before I reach JFK or maybe pick it up at the JFK Transfer Desk. I have 3 hours and 30 mins for the connection (hopefully no delays landing into JFK).

Flight Route: TPE-NRT-JFK-DCA

TPE-NRT-JFK on JL
JFK-DCA on AA

First time doing this.... Appreciate all the help I can get..

 

[invisible999]

I heard I'll have to go through immigration, pick up the checked luggage, go through customs security check, then drop off the checked luggage on some international luggage belt then proceed to Terminal 8. The luggage should be tagged all the way to DCA and I should be able to get the boarding pass at before I reach JFK or maybe pick it up at the JFK Transfer Desk. I have 3 hours and 30 mins for the connection (hopefully no delays landing into JFK).

Timewize - you should be fine. One advice - check if you can can transfer to domestic terminal after picking up your luggage without the need to go thru the exit gate and come back.

In other words - at SFO and DEN for example there are security check gates after picking up the luggage but before exiting the area. In this case you will spend much less time re-going thru security, contrary to departures hall.

I can't tell anything about JFK on this matter.

 

[engshing]

booked my trips to San Fran and Las Vegas. 3 days each over first 2 weekends in May.

for San Fran, i am thinking of following this guide. Any other suggestions are greatly welcomed! I love eating so I dun mind skipping a few places to find great food. I did just tt for Chicago.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Guide-g60713-k187-San_Francisco_California.html

For Las Vegas, no concrete plan yet. Going to catch Cirque de soleil O and Absinthe. Maybe some adult show since I am a guy and going solo to sin city. Any good tour for Grand Canyon or places to visit? I have slight physical disability and thus walking/hiking tour in Grand Canyon will be difficult for me.

 

[lcpteck]

Timewize - you should be fine. One advice - check if you can can transfer to domestic terminal after picking up your luggage without the need to go thru the exit gate and come back.

In other words - at SFO and DEN for example there are security check gates after picking up the luggage but before exiting the area. In this case you will spend much less time re-going thru security, contrary to departures hall.

I can't tell anything about JFK on this matter.

I did some reading up, unfortunately for JFK you'll have to exit the terminal to transfer terminals (in this case Terminal 1 to Terminal 8) via airtrain or shuttle bus.

 

[invisible999]

Regarding bringing ANY meat in US

Someone asked about bringing Bak Kwa to US. Very short - you are risking $10000 fine if you do that.

 

[liemsc]

Kingman vs Prescott (San Diego to Grand Canyon)

Hi guys.. I'm still refining my itinerary for June...
For San Diego to Grand Canyon journey, I get two options from Google Maps : via Kingman or via Prescott. In terms of distance and duration, Kingman is slightly longer distance with slightly shorter time - so small that I will consider as insignificant difference.

As such, is there any of these 2 routes that is better than the other? (in terms of scenery, road condition, etc). We will depart from San Diego on Wednesday noon, break/stay overnight in either Kingman or Prescott, and target to enter Grand Canyon on Thursday noon.

 

[lastkopek]

I did this route. SD-LA-LV-SD.
If you have 2 drivers will be the best.Else it will be damn boring once u hit the highway towards LV. Speed limit is strictly enforced. Many snipers and even heli along the way.skip the RNR, if you tired just exit any town along the way.

Overall i reconmend you spend more time in SD. The culture,activity,shop,history is amazing. Park your car at las americas outlet walk into mexico. thats one of the reason why i travelled to SD 4 times.good luck.

Maybe u can go via temecula instead.

Hi guys.. I'm still refining my itinerary for June...
For San Diego to Grand Canyon journey, I get two options from Google Maps : via Kingman or via Prescott. In terms of distance and duration, Kingman is slightly longer distance with slightly shorter time - so small that I will consider as insignificant difference.

As such, is there any of these 2 routes that is better than the other? (in terms of scenery, road condition, etc). We will depart from San Diego on Wednesday noon, break/stay overnight in either Kingman or Prescott, and target to enter Grand Canyon on Thursday noon.

 

[liemsc]

Hi lastkopek - thanks for your inputs.
However, I actually have the other parts of the journey planned out already <refer to post #2911 in page 195 of this thread>, and the question below is specifically for the travel sector between San Diego to Grand Canyon

I did this route. SD-LA-LV-SD.
If you have 2 drivers will be the best.Else it will be damn boring once u hit the highway towards LV. Speed limit is strictly enforced. Many snipers and even heli along the way.skip the RNR, if you tired just exit any town along the way.

Overall i reconmend you spend more time in SD. The culture,activity,shop,history is amazing. Park your car at las americas outlet walk into mexico. thats one of the reason why i travelled to SD 4 times.good luck.

Maybe u can go via temecula instead.

 

[lastkopek]

Oh sorry didnt read that.
Good luck on your long drive. stay focus always

Hi lastkopek - thanks for your inputs.
However, I actually have the other parts of the journey planned out already <refer to post #2911 in page 195 of this thread>, and the question below is specifically for the travel sector between San Diego to Grand Canyon

 

[Neways]

Wat abt kaya? Is it ok if we declare?

Someone asked about bringing Bak Kwa to US. Very short - you are risking $10000 fine if you do that.

 

[Shiny Things]

Hi guys.. I'm still refining my itinerary for June...
For San Diego to Grand Canyon journey, I get two options from Google Maps : via Kingman or via Prescott. In terms of distance and duration, Kingman is slightly longer distance with slightly shorter time - so small that I will consider as insignificant difference.

As such, is there any of these 2 routes that is better than the other? (in terms of scenery, road condition, etc). We will depart from San Diego on Wednesday noon, break/stay overnight in either Kingman or Prescott, and target to enter Grand Canyon on Thursday noon.

Prescott's definitely the pick here, because it takes you past Flagstaff and Sedona, both of which are very very picturesque (and in Sedona's case, full of hippies). The only interesting things on the Kingman route would be Joshua Tree and Mojave Desert, and if you go via Palo Verde or Lake Havasu City you won't even get that.

 

[Shiny Things]

Wat abt kaya? Is it ok if we declare?

Uh. I wouldn't, for a couple of reasons:
1) If it's industrially made, and sealed, you might be fine; but if it's home-made, or it's been opened, there's a potential biosecurity risk there and it's probably going to get tossed.
2) Does kaya keep for long periods? I don't actually know either way, but it seems like that stuff would go off pretty quickly if it's not refrigerated.

 

[Hisashiburi]

Kaya is ok if u dont open it.
Have to refrigerate after opening.

Spices are ok too.

But fresh fruit, meat, seafood etx are not ok.

Wat abt kaya? Is it ok if we declare?

 

[liemsc]

Prescott's definitely the pick here, because it takes you past Flagstaff and Sedona, both of which are very very picturesque (and in Sedona's case, full of hippies). The only interesting things on the Kingman route would be Joshua Tree and Mojave Desert, and if you go via Palo Verde or Lake Havasu City you won't even get that.

Actually, going by Google Map's Prescott route will not pass Sedona & Flagstaff. That will be another route with 75 extra miles.
Do you think it's worth the extra distance & time to go via Sedona, considering that I won't have much time enjoying the place (and at most will only enjoy the scenery as we drive through).

 

[Neways]

Thx guys. Food for tots.

 

[engshing]

i actually manage to get the vacuum packed bak kwa into the US. my US colleagues were pretty surprised i manage to do tt. they like it a lot too

 

[patryn33]

i actually manage to get the vacuum packed bak kwa into the US. my US colleagues were pretty surprised i manage to do tt. they like it a lot too

You can smuggle in always.
Get caught and they throw it out.

 

[patryn33]

Actually, going by Google Map's Prescott route will not pass Sedona & Flagstaff. That will be another route with 75 extra miles.
Do you think it's worth the extra distance & time to go via Sedona, considering that I won't have much time enjoying the place (and at most will only enjoy the scenery as we drive through).

Just driving pass Sedona forget it.
I love Sedona been there 2x, u need to hike to catch nicer scenery

 

[patryn33]

Wat abt kaya? Is it ok if we declare?

Those jar ones no issue
Those plastic ones seal like bubble tea generally ok to bring in but no preservatives only need to make sure ok to makan