DFW arrivals compared to LAX?

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Andona

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In a couple of weeks we'll be on QF 7 F ( very excited, first time in F!) arriving into DFW. We've done many arrivals into LAX but would be interested to know if we can expect a faster/slower processing time through immigration/customs in DFW? We have not yet used the APC kiosks and wondered if that would make a difference to the ( usually interminable) queues we've experienced previously?

TIA
Andona
 
In a couple of weeks we'll be on QF 7 F ( very excited, first time in F!) arriving into DFW. We've done many arrivals into LAX but would be interested to know if we can expect a faster/slower processing time through immigration/customs in DFW? We have not yet used the APC kiosks and wondered if that would make a difference to the ( usually interminable) queues we've experienced previously?

TIA
Andona

My experience was always faster at DFW.
 
I find DFW a bit slower as they make you shoot a gun, ride a bull and eat some BBQ ribs before you can leave
 
I've only entered the US at DFW once, and that was years ago ex-NRT. At the time, it was much better then LAX, though the APC kiosks didn't exist at the time.

Over the years, I've entered the US at LAX, SFO, DFW, JFK and BOS with pre clearance at YVR and YYZ and land crossings at Blaine, WA.
LAX, JFK and BOS have been mixed. SFO, preclearance and the land crossings have been average. DFW has been the best. However, the roll out of the APC kiosks have changed things.

Have you entered the US before on your current passports under the VWP? If not, you may not be able to use the APC.
 
From my experience, it depends a lot on what flights arrive around the same time as you. If you time it slightly wrong on the QF7 and you're there when two or three other flights arrive it can be bad. Not as bad as LAX at its worst, but still not great. If the auto kiosks work, they're good, but if they don't let you through, then that can take a while.

Overall I'd say it's better than LAX. But depends on the day!
 
While DFW may be a bit quicker there is not much in it and I'd prefer to get off sooner than a longer flight if I have to change planes anyway to go elsewhere.

If me, I'd just go to LAX.
 
Dallas usually quicker for immigration and easier to get to frequent connecting flights. It's my preferred airport if heading to the east coast. I would avoid LAX if possible.
 
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Flew into DFW ex BA a few months ago. Pretty quick, but the passport kiosks didn't like me and I was referred to an officer for processing. Staff were completely rude. Either way, quick to get out.

TSA queues to re-enter the terminal though were a nightmare at the time.
 
DFW is amazing compared to LAX.

There are a million kiosks (well - it seems that way), all neatly laid out and segmented in color-coded sections for US residents, B1/2/ESTA holders, Global Entry, and others.

VERY fast to get through the kiosks after QF7, then only redirected to an Officer if required - still very quick.

Collect bags, then a quick inspection of slip and passport prior to exiting.

If the kiosks don't give you grief - then you only have 1 major inspection point rather than the two you'll have at LAX.
 
I arrived into DFW off QF7 last Saturday 30th July and typically travel into the US via either DFW, LAX or SFO every 2-3 months. Historically DFW has been the fastest however LAX is improving significantly given the number of ESTA kiosks being made available. The big difference I've found recently is that for passengers travelling with only carry-on bags their is a green channel (first section on the left once you enter the immigration area) that you can go through. Despite it saying its only available to US / Canadian citizen "aliens" including Australians can use it. You use the standard ESTA kiosk and then line up to get the stamp in the passport from immigration and that's it. Out the door, down in the elevator and it dumps you at departures in Terminal D. If you have an interconnecting flight you simply go through US screening and your away. The only downside is the "carry on only" passengers merge with the Global Entry passengers including airline staff. Sometimes you are held up as immigration will typically process flight crew before passengers from both the Global Entry and "Carry On Only" queues. I find mostly US Airlines are still some of the only customer facing businesses in the world that place themselves (Tech Crew, FA's, etc) ahead of paying customers when it comes to being processed either inbound or outbound through immigration / security.
 
Have you entered the US before on your current passports under the VWP? If not, you may not be able to use the APC.

This will be our 4th visit on current passport and 3rd on current ESTA. We could have used the APC last year at LAX but hadn't heard about it prior to that visit and entered the wrong queue :(

I'm glad to hear all the positive reviews for the entry process at DFW, hopefully it will make a pleasant change from LAX. The only other entry point we've used was HNL, which we'd been told would be better... except we arrived the day before Thanksgiving so it was just as bad as LAX!

Thanks all :)

Andona
 
DFW also has the "Carry EZ lines" for HLO PAX. From the kiosk to landside in 90 seconds last time!
"Carry E-Z© lines, labeled in green in the International Arrivals Hall, which enable international customers traveling without checked bags to clear the CBP arrival area in one step and move directly to the landside concourse bypassing the baggage claim process" (https://www.dfwairport.com/pressroo...viding_Full_Range_Of_Faciliation_Services.php)

Edit: Just saw that ChrisGibbs posted the same info...
 
I recently did F two months ago on QF7 and DFW was a dream to go through.

I had a 90 min connection and got to the other terminal, from de-boarding in less then an hour. As long as you got the newer type of passport to qualify for the more expressline services, you'll be laughing. Honestly I am fairly confident of connecting through DFW with even an hour connection (naturally if the first plane lands on time!)

The only line I had at all was the security line once re-entering (which was famously TSA slow), otherwise immigration, baggage and monorail connections where fantastic. I even managed to drown 3 rum & coke zeros in the AA lounge before my next flight! (The bar-tender 'didn't collect' the first of the 2 free drinks card - clearly he was getting a good tip!)
 
I even managed to drown 3 rum & coke zeros in the AA lounge before my next flight! (The bar-tender 'didn't collect' the first of the 2 free drinks card - clearly he was getting a good tip!)

I think only "premium" spirits are not free in AA lounges, so a drink chit would not have been required anyway (I might be wrong, as I always give my chits anyway...): American Airlines Domestic Admirals Club Lounges to Offer Complimentary Alcoholic Beverages :: American Airlines Newsroom
 
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Fair enough. I never actually questioned what was free or not in any of the AAdmiral Clubs I went to now that I think about it. Either way, in all cases I was happy to have the amount of drinks based on the number of free tickets I was given. :D
 
For those that have used the APC, does your passport still get stamped when you present the APC voucher along with your passport to the CBP officer?
 
For those that have used the APC, does your passport still get stamped when you present the APC voucher along with your passport to the CBP officer?
Yes. They stamp the passport and APC printout, then let you through to baggage. Customs retains the APC print.
 
Just arrived at LAX.A breeze compared to the past.Even though I had a machine that didn't work,a grumpy agent who wasn't going to let me in-just went to another-and a hold up at TSA because of my knee it was still only 45 minutes from walking off QF11 to sitting down in the Flagship lounge at T4.
 
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Yes. They stamp the passport and APC printout, then let you through to baggage. Customs retains the APC print.

DFW didn't bother to stamp me the other day.

But I just logged into the i94 site as I was waiting for my bags to confirm my "until date".

The APC machine had already granted it.
 
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