Expert: Roberto Gomes - 5/7/2009

Question
QUESTION: Dear Expert,
I called American Airlines 4 times to ask this question: Will my mother-in-law have to go through US customs in Chicago while traveling from Moscow to Toronto? We understand she will have to go from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3 and go through security again, but will she actually have to get her luggage and take it through US customs in Chicago? Of the 4 AA representatives I spoke to, 2 said yes, and 2 said no. Thank you for your time.

ANSWER: Dear Elena,

The US Immigration cancelled a program that was called TWOV (Transit without Visa). Now any person which nationality requires a visa, needs to have it either for entry or transit.

The only exception to this rule is the Transit Passenger Inspection Pilot Program (TPIPP) which has been introduced for passengers travelling between Hong Kong and Toronto, Canada that operate via Anchorage, Alaska. This does not reinstate the TWOV or ITI program and currently, only Cathay Pacific (CX) is a signatory to an In-Transit Lounge Agreement at Anchorage.

TPIPP passengers are not permitted outside of the sterile, Federal Inspection Service (FIS)/CBP area. The In-Transit Lounge agreement between the CBP and Cathay Pacific applies to alien passengers who are seeking to pass through the U.S.A. in an immediate and continuous transit, without a stopover and whose scheduled travel includes a
single stop within the U.S.A. at Anchorage International Airport (ANC), due to the flight routing. Transfer of passengers to another aircraft is not permitted.

Hope this helps,
Best Regards,
R. Gomes


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I appreciate your quick answer. It was very informative.  Just to clarify, the question was not about visa (we are aware she needs a transit visa to fly Moscow-Toronto via Chicago. We just wanted to know if she will have to take her luggage, go through customs, and then recheck the luggage. I spoke to a customs representative in O'Hare yesterday and he confirmed that. Because of this complication, and given a short connection time in Chicago, we decided on an itinerary that doesn't involve transit through US. She will fly through Warsaw, which doesn't require visa or customs check, as far as we know. If you know otherwise, I would really appreciate your advice. Thank you again.

Answer
Dear Elena,

If transiting via Chicago, she'll have to clear Immigrations, Customs, recheck her bag, and then proceed to the terminal 3 from where her Toronto flight is scheduled to depart. Of course to access gates at this terminal , she'll need to be be inspected again.

I'll prefer to take the alternative.

Best Regards,
R.Gomes