Traveling to USA - Few Questions

All depends on the date when I travel, fare on that day as my company tends to offer me the cheapest flight only always.
you should also get 2 check-in bags per adult, if your company's travel-desk is making the arrangements. Tue/Wed are generally cheaper, unless it's a holiday. i make sure that i travel during weekdays only, so that i can avail my weekend off. otherwise, desi software companies are notorious for making people travel on Sundays, so as to maximize the billing hours at the expense of employees' comfort.

don't know about travelling with an infant. generally, it's not much of a problem as you get preferential treatment. infant's baggage will cause more trouble when you are coming back to india than the other way around. you usually carry more stuff when you come back. :)

2.5hrs stopover layover is little less. you may not be able to board the next flight "with your baggage" if your previous flight gets delayed even for 20 mins. you should book assistance service beforehand (because of infant) which will help you in making it faster to the boarding gates of the connecting flight.
Isn't flights originating or terminating US, is always 23*2 even for economy?
it should be something related to "longhaul" flights, as there are operators who allow 2 pieces to other destinations as well.
 
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^afaik from last year every airline operating international flights to us should allow 2*23 for economy as well. It doesn't matter whether you book through your employer or your own.
 
^i know that, but usually baggage allowance is same for adult and child, but not true for infant. He mentioned, for infant also its 2*23.
 
you should also get 2 check-in bags per adult, if your company's travel-desk is making the arrangements. Tue/Wed are generally cheaper, unless it's a holiday. i make sure that i travel during weekdays only, so that i can avail my weekend off. otherwise, desi software companies are notorious for making people travel on Sundays, so as to maximize the billing hours at the expense of employees' comfort.

You are right here about making one travel on weekend and expecting to join office right on the Monday in a totally new country you know nothing about. But now there are some new US rules wherein one cannot start working unless the I9 form is complete and signed in front of some guy. This has to be done ASAP after one lands. But usually people don't get appointment on the next day or so and may be get an appointment for after 1-2 days. So employee cannot go to office at all for those initial 1-2 days.

About traveling with Infant, I want that my baby also has at least 23 Kg allowance even if he is a lap baby because like my previous travel where we loaded the carry on and the laptop bag with lot of stuff (apart from the 23x2 checkins), we cannot do it this time. We want to have minimum luggage in our hands as we have to take care of the baby and his stuff will be more (baby food and some toys etc) than ours. So the 5th 23 Kg bag will help a lot.

I have no idea how to get some assistance or escort at US airport who could help us take our luggage from the belt to the domestic check in counter (using some sort of big trolley). Because even with baby, we will need to lug 5 Big bags inside the airport from the belt to next checkin, if we can get help here (I am ok to tip the guy) it would be great. I was told that there are such people on airport and they are uniformed.[DOUBLEPOST=1424935829][/DOUBLEPOST]
^i know that, but usually baggage allowance is same for adult and child, but not true for infant. He mentioned, for infant also its 2*23.

Yes, for child it may be 23x2 but not for infant. But airlines like British, Delta, Etihad allow single piece 23 Kg for the infant as well.
 
@raksrules You should be looking to avail the services of Skycaps. They are basically airport porters. Just mention your needs to the nearest airport employee. They are mighty helpful.
 
I have no idea how to get some assistance or escort at US airport who could help us take our luggage from the belt to the domestic check in counter (using some sort of big trolley). Because even with baby, we will need to lug 5 Big bags inside the airport from the belt to next checkin, if we can get help here (I am ok to tip the guy) it would be great. I was told that there are such people on airport and they are uniformed.
you should book the escort service as it'll be difficult to manage the infant along with luggage. call up flight desk before you travel and give them the details. someone will be with you the moment you reach airport in india to the point you leave the airport at your destination. layovers are also taken care of. service is free of charge. if you book along with the tickets then it'll be printed on your itenarary that you've got an escort service.
 
@raksrules You should be looking to avail the services of Skycaps. They are basically airport porters. Just mention your needs to the nearest airport employee. They are mighty helpful.

Yes that is what I want. I am ok if the service is chargeable or I am expected to tip the guy.

At Mumbai airport, I would need assistance or some sort of help only till the check in counter as once bags are checked in, I would be free with limited luggage. I know @irfanlai had taken an escort for his wife and baby at Mumbai airport and they helped till the plane gate. I think it costs somewhere 3-5K for that.
 
If anyone has earlier traveled to Newark (EWR) and connected to a domestic US flight then please let me know if 2Hr20Min is adequate. I know that for US Citizens and US passport holders there are usually more counters and hence faster processing. With an infant any chance I will get expedited processing ?
I checked the united flight and it lands from Mumbai at Terminal C and departure of domestic flight is from Terminal A at EWR. I am not sure if I am going to Travel in this flight but good to know if this Itenary is offered.
Will I have to take my luggage in the air train to Terminal A by myself and check in or there is a way to do it on terminal C ('where the flight arrives) before boarding at terminal A.
 
2H window is low, if the parent flight is delayed. Two hours is normal for long hauls. Keep 4-6 in between, minimal.
 
With infant; for sure your process will be expedited. Do you have other flight option wherein layover time is more?

Same airline next option is 11 hours layover. I am ok with that actually as it is easier to handle the baby on the ground. Let's see what options my company Gives.
 
If its treated as a connecting flight, you won't be charged for baggage and norms will be as per international operator.

My sister has travelled with 2 x 23 KG baggages + cabin baggage via an itinerary with domestic hops both in India and US and no additional charge was levied in the domestic hops.
 
Thanks.
Rakrules what you can do is get a flight with sufficient layover and once you are at port of entry you can try to see if there is any early connecting flight. I did this last time I traveled and there was no extra charge.
 
If anyone has earlier traveled to Newark (EWR) and connected to a domestic US flight then please let me know if 2Hr20Min is adequate. I know that for US Citizens and US passport holders there are usually more counters and hence faster processing. With an infant any chance I will get expedited processing ?
I checked the united flight and it lands from Mumbai at Terminal C and departure of domestic flight is from Terminal A at EWR. I am not sure if I am going to Travel in this flight but good to know if this Itenary is offered.
Will I have to take my luggage in the air train to Terminal A by myself and check in or there is a way to do it on terminal C ('where the flight arrives) before boarding at terminal A.

Luggage will be collected by you on C and taken in the metro to A.
 
So heres the update of trip.

From Ahmedabad bags - 2 PCs per passenger each 23KG were allowed through check-in.

At Mumbai I was transferred to International terminal.

At Newark I collected checked-in bags, completed immigration and checked bags again to Columbus.

I used facility of Skycap as 1 cart was costing $6 and minimum 2 carts were required. Columbus one asked $2 per bag and the one at Newark asked any tip you can give. But it was convenient.

Hope this helps.
 
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