I survived a trip to the USA by plane

Recently back from a trip to the States, perhaps some of you will find this long post helpful.

On the morning of what turned out to be travel day, Sunday, we were at the airport at 0615 for our Covid19 tests. See https://check2fly.co.il/new-appointment/confirm-order. Entry to Terminal 3 is from Exit 01 on the ground floor (to the left when facing the building). We were back in our car in 18 minutes. This was the slow test and we had results online in 4 hours, alerted by SMS; a bit later that was followed by a 2nd notice from our HMO.

At 1700 we were notified that our flight was likely cancelled for Monday morning 11:25. I had an idea already from the night before when the flight disappeared from the IAA website. My agent was able to get us on the 23:50 flight Sunday night, god bless her. Her contact details are available. the flight was overbooked.

Once confirmed for flight I completed https://govforms.gov.il/.../[email protected], one for each of the 3 of us. I printed it.

At airport, again we entered from G. we were considered a group, and I was given a green wrist band to wear. Till now, we have no reason why. It was never asked for. Upstairs, we headed for area A. there was no business class priority line. We all were fed one way to United, another for Delta. At the security desk we were asked for the Covid19 negative test. It was so nice to hear those lame questions after 1 year and 2 weeks.

At the check-in counter we confirmed our seats, not together (beggars cannot be choosy) and went to security. The process was as smooth as normal. Security had two lines and we were through in a breeze. Immigration kiosks were operating to the left. We sailed through.

The departure area was a ghost town. Most shops and eateries were closed. The duty free at the end of B was open about 2 hours before departure. The overwhelming majority of travelers were Americans, young families with crying children (who loved to kick the seat backs, we would learn later), yeshiva students… It was quite surreal, quiet, calm…

Boarding was normal. The funny thing was being asked on the plane to maintain social distancing. Masks were worn by all, largely correctly. No fights or anything. The flight itself, with masks on, is long. This was my 1st nonstop from TLV to The States. I will not do it again, if at all possible. Not PC, but too many yids and kids.

Upon landing, we deplaned by row number. No one is allowed to stand in aisle and scramble for overhead luggage. It worked partially; we are after all a difficult people to command.

At Newark, the processes were simple. Normal, actually.

Most shops were open; lounges only a few. Kosher food was available at the Cibro Express near C132. Boarding for our flight to PBI was by row number. Our flight was ? empty. Upon boarding, we were handed a sanitizing wipe to wipe down our personal surfaces. All snacks were kosher.

At PBI things were calm and normal. We were curbside in 15 minutes after deplaning.

It is possible to schedule Covis19 PCR tests throughout the area. It is even possible to do this for free, especially if you have a social security number. You need not be a Florida resident; you do not need insurance. See https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/testing-sites/?display_map for example. The one difficulty is getting results within 72 hours of departure; hence, stay away from Tuesday returns to Israel. The fee-based centers usually are the ones able to guarantee quick turn-around time; this costs ~$100. See https://testing.nomihealth.com/easy_registration/34/onsite.

We did the free covid19 test at a drive thru (Sears parking lot), which is not a drive thru. They can learn logistics from Israel. They tried with a web form accessed via a barcode scan, but it was not actually a drive thru. It took almost an hour - with 3 stops along the way, getting out of the car, and holding up traffic, etc., - to do get a test done. It was a hassle, but it actually was free. Again, no mouth swab, just a deep nasal grab and go. We should have results on Wednesday…

Do not forget to complete an entry form to Israel within 24 hours of return. We nearly did. The form is somewhat confusing. See https://www.gov.il/.../request-entry-to-israel-covid19 . also see https://www.gov.il/.../Guides/flying-to-israel-guidlines... . On the United Airlines app, it states clearly that the PCR is required 72 hours before the flight from EWR to TLV. On the Israeli government site, it states that the test is required within start of the journey home, as long as the connection is within 24 hours. The Ministry site is correct.

The free covid19 tests returned after 46 hours. It actually was quite easy in the end. The post-arrival covid19 test has been set at https://check2fly.co.il/. I made appointments ahead of time, using the discount code “free1”; it’s free for us all.

At Ft Lauderdale: No curb-side check in is available. Surprisingly (?) the check-in kiosk area was quite congested. Not smart. It certainly pays to have status. No kiosk for us. The agent did not look at the scale. We checked an extra bag (#7).

At the airports in the USA, you scan your own documents (at security and lounge, for example). We were curb to toilet (post security) in under 10 minutes. The lounge is still closed; Starbucks is open. Their cold brew is very good. Most stores are open. The airport was quite crowded. Boarding is by row number, following the pre-boarding people, from back to forward.

On the planes, there is a limited security demonstration. There are also no in-flight magazines, also no in-flight shopping catalog. About the service on United – on all 4 flights we had the distinct impression that the cabin crew did not want to be at work. Service was not with a smile, in most cases.

At Newark, the United TLV flight departs from terminal C, gate 123. The one open lounge is at C75 9a ten-minute walk). At gate 130 there is a document check (there are no signs): visa, vaccination, covid test, Ministry of health entry form, passport. This newbie gave the right documents and the wrong boarding cards. This took a good 5 minutes and was nerve-racking. To return to Israel you need the blue sticker, affixed by a United agent. You cannot complete the check-in process remotely. Again, remember to check https://www.gov.il/.../Guides/flying-to-israel-guidlines... and to complete https://www.gov.il/.../request-entry-to-israel-covid19 . Make sure to do the PCR; passengers were rejected. Make sure the Ministry form is approved within 24 hours of departure from Newark (not the 1st segment if connecting); a passenger was rejected.

In Israel: Groups of 40 are allowed off the plane. Ha ha ha; this is Israel, and the balagan begins. We landed in the B corridor. We were directed to passport machines in C, with help. Those sent to home quarantine were directed to D. Then we showed our little piece of paper to a guard and proceeded down the long ramp; we went straight to baggage carousels, after placing the immigration slip on the exit door (as usual). Our bags came on carousel 3 and 4; balagan. Though we were priority tagged it took a while. Then we were led, in groups of 40, through customs to the Covid19 test area in a tent to the left.

There is a registration que for those who made appointments and one for those that did not. Make them; the line is shorter. There are nine test areas; the line moved fast. Then we backtracked to the exit opposite G check-in area, now closed. Create a profile at https://check2fly.co.il/home. Making appointments and checking for results is easy. Our results were available Friday evening.

We were plane to car in about an hour; cannot complain.

Bottom line, one needs patience to fly now; there are a lot of siddurim to do and things to remember. We will likely repeat this in July.

If you are a on-USA citizen, check your eligibility to enter the country at https://be.usembassy.gov/information-about-covid-19-and.../ .