Airport Blues

I am the person that gets to airport 3 hours ahead of time. I don't like to rush and I don't like to panic. Sooooo. many hours ahead and ready for airport drinks.

I use CLEAR https://www.clearme.com/  and have GLOBAL ENTRY aka TSA PRE CHECK. https://www.tsa.gov/ . This girl doesn't like to wait!

I like to relax before a flight and during layovers if it allows, in airport lounges. I am a Delta AMEX Reserve Card member and I can get into any lounge associated with the airline, like KLM, Air France, Korean Air.

Globally, there's a few airline dedicated lounges and some that require memberships or cost a daily price. If that's not your thing, there's always food and drink at all hours of the day. Airports are crazy places where time of day doesn't matter, like Vegas.

You are required to show your passport at the airport when you go. Whether it is at the desk or at the gate. Delta, for instance has a pre check in process call FLY READY. Where its uploaded to your profile and they verify at the bag drop deck.

On your journey, if you have a layover internationally, you will need to go through PASSPORT CONTROL. This is Europe's version of Customs. Get ALL of your bags, Get your friends and roll on over. You will need to go through customs and security and re check your bags. You will see signs for SCHENGEN. Those are European Union (EU) Citizens. They are free to go from country to country within the EU. These areas are pretty good with signs and symbols. Just look for the American Flag and staff is usually helpful.

PASSPORT CONTROL is always first. Except after a potty break, of course. Beyond Passport Control, there is lounges, restaurants, bars, shops, DUTY FREE.

Once you are in Europe, you do not need to go through customs again if there are other stops on your journey.

Returning to the US, same thing, your first stop in the US, you need to go through US CUSTOMS. You will pick up your bags, go say hi to Customs Agent and then re-check your bags.

For your return to the US, I personally have Global Entry. It allows you to by pass the regular lines. To obtain this, you need to make an appointment a get fingerprinted to prove you're not a criminal or scoundrel. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry

This process can take awhile.

Have you checked your passports? Are they expired? Better get a move on or you're staying home.