intro
Hello amigos!
This is Part 2 of a trip to the US I took back in 2022. You may find the previous flight here:
Flight routing
- 1
transiting in JFK T8
…so I pick up where I left you. I just got off from a pretty good MAD-JFK flight that arrived tightly on time, but took long to taxi to the gate and to make things worse, our arrival gate was occupied, eating up a whole chunk of my connecting time. So now, I was risking a misconnect, I had only 1h20 to make it to my next flight.
I was handed an orange "express connection" paper, along with my BP for the DCA flight. I was told to rush to the CBP check. Upon descending to the CBP hall, I showed my orange paper to one of the persons organising the queues and I was rushed to the front of one of the queues.
Now, hold your jaw. I made it through the CBP interview (I was asked about the last time I was in the USA and where would I go and for how long) in no time, then waited for my bag to come out (I thought this is where I would miss my flight) my bag came out and I handed it to the connection's counter. Then I was to go out to the arrivals level, get on a lift, go up 2 levels and then queue with the TSA to get back airside.
Between the last picture in the previous report (when I got the orange paper) to this picture (I made it to the TSA check) it took me 20 minutes (I checked the photo's timestamps)
Talk about efficiency! The effect is compounded by the fact this is a intl to domestic connection in the USA, in JFK!
The rush may have taken a couple of years off my life expectancy, but it was amazing!
When I picked my flights I did expect that the connection would be tight, and that I would missconect. I didn't mind much, as I wanted to try the newly opened (back then) Admirals Lounge. But now I had a fair chance to make it to my scheduled flight to DCA…so I guess I'd try the lounge in the return leg.
But now I had 1 hour to make it trough the TSA and walk to my gate, which expectedly was at the furthest point from the TSA. The queue took ages, a lot of obnoxious people were complaining about how late they were for their flights (suck it up mate, we're all on the same boat!).
I made it out of the TSA another 20 minutes later. This is 40 minutes since I stepped off the 772 from Madrid (again…awesome). It was almost boarding time…
I made it to my gate
With 9 minutes to spare!!!!
boarding
Boarding was called and I was one of the first to board because of my OW status. Oh yes…this is what I needed.
Into my first E175
My seat was more than good for the short hop to Washington
Another Embraer was on our side
While boarding was completed, I distracted myself wondering who the hell drew the awful faces in the security guide
enroute to DCA!
Boarding didn't took long (small plane) and we were enroute to DC. We would make a short taxi to RWY 13 R.
A view to my former ride
A view into the 1980s
A couple of LH Group A330s visiting
The AM 738 was ready to head back to Mexico
Before us, a DL CRJ
Then it was our turn, with a scenic takeoff in view of the terminals complex
The cabin lights were dimmed and remained so for basically the rest of the flight
AA offers IFE to my device…but I went for my book, and some shuteye.
Back to the mainland
We were to take the approach over the Potomac, affording me great views of DC during landing, which brought back so many memories of my time there…sorry that my camera didn't catch up to the task
DCA in view!
The Mall is easily discernible
Zoom into my former neighbourhood, Columbia Heights
One of the things I love about flying is when you're granted these moments with great views, doing a thing you enjoy, listening to a good song…nirvana.
Short final…
And our flight was over…
Our gate was in the new concourse, which was a great addition to an already great terminal!
Enter text here…
Good to see that you made the tight connection smoothly.
That's great organisation---I've not experienced this in the US, but several times in LHR.
I totally feel you here...connecting from INTL to DOM in the US is such a pain, so it's always a win when it goes well. Having to pick up your bags, go through customs, and then put them on a belt again for the connection before even heading through security or changing terminals is such a pain!
Wait so you came in on IB, which at the time were still operating from T7 with BA (they both moved in Dec 2022 if I remember correctly)....so you managed to make it through immigration and customs and change terminals from T7 to T8 in 20 minutes??? That's like a record haha
Though you are right that it's not as smooth anymore since international traffic has picked up a lot since 2022, in my experience, transiting or going through immigration at T8 isn't nearly as painful as T1 or especially T4. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that T8 has less traffic overall, though it's definitely gone up with BA having and other oneworld airlines having moved to T8.
Always love flying on E-jets because there are no bad seats (i.e. no middle seats). Ah, the rive approach into DCA, always beautiful!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your comment Kévin,
It was all in T8, the previous flight was on AA. But on the return I did fly IB from T7; stay tuned to check how well that went, LOL !
Cheers!
Oh right! I remember now. Good thing it was on AA and not IB haha...I'm just so used to seeing you fly IB I totally forgot it was on AA haha.
I wish my IB+ account/ status noticed that too!
Hi Chibcha, good to see the second leg of this trip!
Yay you made it! And with amazing time! Have never seen these orange cards, very interesting concept.
So exciting! There is something special about stepping on to a plane for the first time.
Interesting to see they have wifi on these planes, I haven’t flown the 175 in a while but last time I don’t remember wifi
The cabin looks dated but nice. I find when flying I prefer the very very marrowbody or widebodies. The 2-2 confi is a treat or 1-2 in F.
Cannot agree more, the best.
Perhaps I missed it, but there was no snack service on this flight?
Nope. I was specting a drinks service, but none was offered.