How will this work??

[Tortuga]

Basically due to timing issues my company has decided to send me from Melbourne to Rio via America :evil: They have got me MEL[Plane change in Sydney]>LAX[plane change in Chicago]>GRU>GIG.

I am assuming because it is just a plane change that I won't have to go through customs at LAX and transfer terminals ? They have also only given me 45 minutes from when I am supposed to land in Sao Paulo and when my plane leaves to go to Rio. I'm again assuming I will be going through immigration in Sao Paulo since that is the country I am finishing my trip. Am I right to be a bit nervous about the 45 minutes I have to go through immigration and make the domestic flight? It is all on United so hopefully that will make it a bit easier. PS anyone have any tips to try stop myself from going crazy (this trip will be 30+ hours on a plane in WHY). I'm not really complaining though because I do enjoy travelling. Thanks

 

[jamesatfish]

I am assuming because it is just a plane change that I won't have to go through customs at LAX and transfer terminals ?

Sadly the US don't have an airside transit process - the minute you touch US soil, even if it's just to fly out again hours later, you need to clear customs and immigration, collect your baggage then exit ground-side to re-check your luggage for the next flight. I don't know what your connection time is at LAX but I've had situations where despite being one of the first of a QF flight from Sydney it took almost an hour to get back to the departures gate for a connecting flight.

I don't know about changing terminals for your flights as I haven't flown United for about 10 years so only know T4/TBIT at LAX.

Edit: I should have added that flying United all the way should help you with your connections. If United let you make the booking then they should be confident that you have time to make the connections, and if you miss a connection due to a previous United flight being late then they should help you out by rebooking the next flight(s) for you. Certainly this has been my experience with QF when in the same situation.

 

[JohnK]

Yes it is a long trip but wherever possible get out and walk about in the terminal during transits don't just sit in the lounge.

Does United have in-flight entertainment? Make sure you bring something along to pass the time.

I am assuming because it is just a plane change that I won't have to go through customs at LAX and transfer terminals ?

You do need to clear customs and collect bags in LAX but it should not be too painful and may actually be a good way to break up the trip.

They have also only given me 45 minutes from when I am supposed to land in Sao Paulo and when my plane leaves to go to Rio. I'm again assuming I will be going through immigration in Sao Paulo since that is the country I am finishing my trip. Am I right to be a bit nervous about the 45 minutes I have to go through immigration and make the domestic flight? It is all on United so hopefully that will make it a bit easier.

Is the United aircraft continuing on from GRU-GIG or you are actually going to get on a local domestic carrier? If it is the same aircraft then no issue otherwise I cannot see how you or your luggage will make a 45 connection.

 

[Tortuga]

Thanks for the help, guess I have to do another LAX transit through customs. Luckily I do have a US visa but do I need one?? As you said they don't do transit side, so I'm guessing they won't let you just walk out without a visa, even if you aren't staying in the country (eg connecting flight to another country). The GRU>GIG is on United as well. I read somewhere that even though I am first landing in Sao Paulo, I don't actually go through customs there, and that I do it in Rio... I'm guessing I am going to get questioned as to why the hell I am going through the USA to get to Brazil.. This could get annoying :evil:

 

[kpc]

Can you not fly Lan via Sydney, and Santiago? I did this a few years back and it was less than 24 hours travel time, IIRC!

 

[Tortuga]

Alright you guys are better at this than me. I am trying to find a way to get from Melbourne to Rio either 2 options

1. Arrive on April 6th morning (before midday) (rio time)
2. Arrive on April 7th morning (before midday) (rio time)

Would be good if it was a lot cheaper than the option I currently have with United. A bit more back info so you know why I need it like this. Basically the majority of the crew on my vessel are landing in Rio before midday on both those days, the reason being we are all getting a shuttle bus for 3 hours to Macae. They don't want anyone arriving on their own because it stuffs up the shuttle service. The reason they have me on the UA via America is because it lands in Rio on the 7th at about 11am.

Any ideas, thanks !

 

[Evan]

Probably BFOD, best fare on the day type policy, lots of companys have it. But logically there is alternative ways to get there they may just cost a lot more.
E

 

[Evan]

MEL-SYD-EZE-GIG
On QF MEL-SYD-EZE
and on TAM for EZE-GIG but you wont be there before midday since the QF17 flight arrives EZE at 10:50am.

And its probably expensive on the QF flights but rather direct.
E

 

[Tortuga]

MEL-SYD-EZE-GIG
On QF MEL-SYD-EZE
and on TAM for EZE-GIG but you wont be there before midday since the QF17 flight arrives EZE at 10:50am.

And its probably expensive on the QF flights but rather direct.
E

That was what I originally suggested but as you said, couldn't do it because it arrives at about 5pm in Rio. It was a lot cheaper than the UA leg and they were thankful for me trying to get a cheaper route.

 

[Evan]

What about arrive the day before and stay overnight in a hotel, i assume you need to arrive before midday since you have a long drive somewhere ?
Not many options on this route, you can manage to fly AA via MIA or SFO i cant remember but say connection issues etc as the UA flight.

How about this !

MEL-LAX-MIA-GIG
Depart 10:15am Sunday 5th, arrive 8:49am 6th monday in GIG
AA7349(QF93)-AA1520-AA905 4hrs or so first connection 3 hrs the later connection.

E

 

[Tortuga]

What about arrive the day before and stay overnight in a hotel, i assume you need to arrive before midday since you have a long drive somewhere ?
Not many options on this route, you can manage to fly AA via MIA or SFO i cant remember but say connection issues etc as the UA flight.
E

Yer I'm in a bit of a cough situation, as far I as can tell I don't have many options if I have to arrive before midday on either of those two days. You are right about the long drive, we are getting a shuttle bus (3 hour trip). Looks like I am destined to go via the US, oh well if I can one positive I suppose its the frequent flyers. I thought about the hotel option, but in that case I decided I may as well stick with what they gave me - it isn't a massive nuisance. Thanks for the help

 

[Evan]

I edited my other post but youhad already read it i guess.... if you have to go via the USA what about QF/AA (Planes used.. QF744,AA777,AA767)

MEL-LAX-MIA-GIG
Depart 10:15am Sunday 5th, arrive 8:49am 6th monday in GIG
AA7349(QF93)-AA1520-AA905 4hrs or so first connection 3 hrs the later connection.

E

 

[Tortuga]

Alright thanks, I have sent if off to the company lady. Wait and see what she has to say. From what I could see even that route was quite a lot cheaper than the UA one. The less transfers the better I say

 

[Evan]

Alright thanks, I have sent if off to the company lady. Wait and see what she has to say. From what I could see even that route was quite a lot cheaper than the UA one. The less transfers the better I say

Also safe if a little long transfers and nicer planes i think. Not only that less complex transfers because even if you do clear in the USA then you have plenty of time and the next and only place you land outside of USA is your final destination so no question where you will clear customs there.
Good luck !

I am biased towards Oneworld since i have lounge access etc but apart from the UA i could not imagine to many other options anyway.

 

[ColinP]

If you're looking for the minimum no of stops, have you considered MEL - DXB - GRU with EK? Plenty of options GRU - GIG.

Avoiding a LOTFAP transit has to be a plus.

 

[Tortuga]

*EDIT* Just found out about the Visa waiver program. Have filled it out !

 

[NM]

Thanks for the help, guess I have to do another LAX transit through customs. Luckily I do have a US visa but do I need one??

You need to meet the entry requirements for the USA. So if travelling on an Australian passport, you can enter under the Visa Waiver program if you meet the requirements defined on the I94W form.