Ireland is the only country in Europe that has a U.S. Preclearance facility (meaning you pass through U.S. immigration before the flight, then arrive in the U.S. as if it were a domestic flight) and I found the process odd, though not unpleasant.
The Surprisingly Odd Experience Of U.S. Preclearance In Dublin
Dublin designates a lower-level area in Terminal 2 as its departure zone for U.S.-bound flights. Before reaching that area, passengers must pass through U.S. immigration and customs, just as if they were arriving in the U.S. from an international port of entry. This “Preclarance” program is available in Aruba, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, and Abu Dhabi.
The advantage of this is that when you arrive in the USA, you can immediately exit or proceed to baggage claim with no further checks.
Many years ago, I flew from Dublin to Boston in Aer Lingus Business Class and went through U.S. Preclearance in Dublin (DUB), but I didn’t remember what struck me as a very odd process. I know that One Mile At A Time recently experienced the same thing, and I, too, found it so strange.
I went downstairs, where your boarding pass and passport are initially checked. From there, you are either directed to a security checkpoint or you can bypass it and proceed directly to the immigration counters. I was coming from London and had been screened earlier in the day at London Heathrow (LHR).
An airport agent directed me to the security screening, where my bags were checked (my laptop had to be pulled out), but I was not…I did not have to go through a metal detector or body scanner.
My guess is that all contenting passengers had to go through this while those originating in Dublin did not, but that’s just a guess. I don’t think there is an airport in the world with more stringent security than London Heathrow, but the process itself was painless and I went through at a point in the late afternoon that was quiet, so there was no line or wait.
After gathering my things, I proceeded to the far right side of the immigration area, where I used a Global Entry kiosk and was soon on my way into the departure area.
CONCLUSION
I’m rather agnostic about Preclearance since Global Entry makes arriving in the U.S. so easy, no matter the airport. In Dublin, you can expect to sacn your bags for a second time if connecting from another flight, though you will not have to go through a full security check for a second time before flying to the USA. If memory serves me correctly, that is unique to Ireland among such Preclearance facilities.
I flew out of Shannon a decade ago – originating, not connecting – and remember clearing regular security, upon entering the US preclearence area there was a security belt where you had to take your shoes off and rescan your carry-ons, but no personal metal dedectors (or other type of scanners).
A hidden benefit of US preclearance is that for many airports it cuts off 30-60 minutes of the MCT, allowing the travel day to be shorter. The MCT does not account for having Global Entry or not checking a bag.
Going through security twice in DUB is annoying.
It’s more work than arriving at a proper immigration check point in the US especially if you have global entry.
Yup, and it’s basically the same, nearly everywhere there’s Preclearance. Aruba (AUA) makes you wait out in the sun/rain, then multiple checkpoints, exit/entry immigration, etc. It’s a chore. I’d rather just do Global upon arrival. At least Toronto Pearson (YYZ) only has one security, but, still, it could be better (lines get super long at rush-hours).
“since Global Entry makes arriving in the U.S. so easy, no matter the airport.” Mhm. Right on, brutha.
LHR really isn’t that bad anymore, though. They’ve actually innovated. I agree that once upon a time they were the most stringent.
Honestly, German airports seems the most stringent to me. Also CDG depending on the terminal. Many Caribbean airports, namely SKB, can be pretty insane in enforcing the rules to the letter.
At least those new machines in LHR do not require stuff to be removed from bags, but what I love about German airports is that you do not have to go through security when connecting, unlike any flight connection in the UK.
“I don’t think there is an airport in the world with more stringent security than London Heathrow,”
Never been to India?
Leaving New Delhi last year, every piece of electronic or electronic related item must be removed and separated in multiple bins. This includes cables, and things as small as travel mice.
I’ve also found it completely inconsistent. Sometimes, they want you to remove every possible electronic device and sort them in separate bins as you described. Other times, it’s laptops and phones only and they don’t care about the other stuff. And of course, you get loudly barked at if you don’t guess the right procedure of the day the first time.