AirTranTUS From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 3478 times:
Most of the members of my family would like to go to Hawaii this winter. My dad is backing away because some friends of his at work told him about getting bags checked 3 times for interisland flights and having to stand in line. (God forbid you can go through life without standing in line.) How long does this supposedly horrible process take? I think his friends are exaggerating. Any other info on this would be appreciated so I can quell these "fears" of his.
Just don't turn this into a bash-my-dad thread. He just needs reliable sources; e.g. people who have been more than once or twice.
Jhooper From United States of America, joined Dec 2001, 6195 posts, RR: 13 Reply 1, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 3465 times:
You should be good to go if you check in 2 hours before the flight leaves.
Last year 1,944 New Yorkers saw something and said something.
Hawaiian717 From United States of America, joined May 1999, 3092 posts, RR: 8 Reply 2, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 3446 times:
What the friends were probably referring to is agriculture inspection. Before you check-in for a continental US bound flight in Hawaii (or interisland flight if you're connecting to a flight to the continental US) you have to have the bags you are checking run through agriculture inspection. You can avoid this step if you don't check any bags. Then you check in, but since at least some of the airports don't have the enhanced x-ray machines inlined, you might be asked to bring your checked bags to TSA after they're tagged when you check in. Hawaii isn't alone in this, in July I had to do this at IAD. Finally, there is the regular security check point for carry-ons.
For interisland flights, it's just like any other flight on the mainland; the agriculture inspection is only for checked bags and only for flights from Hawaii to the mainland (US only, if you're flying nonstop from Hawaii to Canada, agriculture inspection doesn't apply either).
Ha763 From United States of America, joined Jan 2003, 3492 posts, RR: 6 Reply 3, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 3410 times:
Depends on the time of day, but not very long. You do have multiple ways to check in. Both Hawaiian and Aloha have kiosks at all Hawaii airports where you can check in and a special counter to drop off any checked bags. Hawaiian also allows you to check in with bags online and you drop your bags at the same counter. Aloha doesn't allow online check in if you are checking in bags. Hawaiian also has remote check in service at some OHANA hotels in Waikiki for a fee. If you are flying interisland from HNL, both airlines also have drive-thru check in and curbside check in. Finally you have the old standby of standing in line to check in at the counter.
FoxBravo From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 2807 posts, RR: 5 Reply 4, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 3333 times:
I haven't done this for a few years, so perhaps someone could refresh my memory in preparation for an upcoming trip: when connecting via HNL from an interisland flight to a mainland flight, do you have to claim your bags in HNL for the agriculture inspection? I seem to remember having the bags inspected at check-in at KOA and then checking them straight through to our final destination, but I'd be grateful if someone could confirm. This time we are planning to connect from HA to CO. Mahalo!
Aloha73G From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 2304 posts, RR: 5 Reply 5, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 3316 times:
Quoting FoxBravo (Reply 4): I haven't done this for a few years, so perhaps someone could refresh my memory in preparation for an upcoming trip: when connecting via HNL from an interisland flight to a mainland flight, do you have to claim your bags in HNL for the agriculture inspection? I seem to remember having the bags inspected at check-in at KOA and then checking them straight through to our final destination, but I'd be grateful if someone could confirm. This time we are planning to connect from HA to CO. Mahalo!
You put them through the agriculture inspection in KOA, and then ask HA to check them through for you. No need to reclaim them in HNL.
The best kept secret of HNL is the Drive Thru Check In offered by both AQ and HA. They are rarely crowded and they take care of the agriculture inspection for you. Aloha's is on the 4th floor of the interisland parking garage (you get 30 a 30 min grace period before you have to pay) and Hawaiian's is on the ground level (arrivals) at the part of the terminal closest to the commuter terminal.
-Aloha!
Aloha Airlines - The Spirit Moves Us. Gone but NEVER Forgotten. Aloha, A Hui Hou!
FoxBravo From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 2807 posts, RR: 5 Reply 6, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 3300 times:
Quoting Aloha73G (Reply 5): You put them through the agriculture inspection in KOA, and then ask HA to check them through for you. No need to reclaim them in HNL.
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