US passport, & other questions...

[Triple_7]

Since some of you have traveled around and the government websites seem to be a heap of useless info, I have a few questions concerning passports, requirements, etc.

I have mentioned before about a possible trip to Taiwan this coming summer.  I started to think it wouldnt happen but a surprise call from my girl the other day changed everything.  I will be staying at their house and not have to worry about a hotel.  Well that took care of a $1200 trip killer  So now all I have to worry about is tickets and spending money.  Food costs are covered.  This trip went from mission impossible to very probable

So to the point.  Since I plan to shoot for a late June early July trip I figured it was time to gather info on some items to save a last minute rush

=How long does it take to get a passport? (I've heard anywhere between 2 weeks to 2 months)

=Any requirements to file for one...aka...vacines, certain records, etc.

=How long is a passport good for.

=I know there is limits to how long you can stay in a country on a passport.  How long?

=No matter what there will be an airline change eather on the west coast or in Tokyo, (probably American to EVA) will I have to claim my checked luggage in say...LA and check into EVA.  Or once I leave Fort Wayne will my checked make it all the way?....Reason i ask is that depending on what flights I choose I could have a short or long layover before hitting Taipei.  A 1 hour layover in LA wouldnt work if i had to claim bags and re check them with EVA.  

=Would I have to go through any customs while leaving the US or will all I have is to go through customs once in Taipei?  And on the return will I have to go through customs on the first stop in the US or would I just continue to Fort Wayne?  Again...short layover on the return might not be good if I have to hit customs on the west coast.

=Whos got the better food and entertainment,  American, EVA, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, or China Airlines?  One of these airlines is going to have me crammed in the economy section of a jumbo for 11-14 hours nonstop.  I want the best for the money  

Thats about all the questions I can come up with now.  There will be plenty more I'm sure  

I hate it that my first trip outside the US (other then Canada) will be completely by myself.  Looking at 25-30 hours going and 30-40 return  Going to be boring flights  But around 2 weeks with my favorite girl in the world...it'll be worth it  Always wanted to go to Asia...only, now i have a good excuse

[afi0yz]

I can answer a few of those questions:

a passport is good for 10 years

I pretty sure you can stay on passport for at least two weeks

you'll have to go through customs in the US on the return

as for airlines:

Cathay Pacific is the best choice for entertainment, nice aircraft.

I would personally take American the whole way just because I believe it would be eaiser to deal with one airline

[Triple_7]

American will be the starting airline reguardless due to using a few miles to get a discount.  But they don't serve Taiwan so I have to change airlines no matter what.  They could get me as far as Tokyo

As for customs.  What I meant was would it be my first stop or could it wait till I get back to Indiana.  I know it can take a lot of time to clear customs and want to know when I want my longest layover.  I will be stopping on the west coast..probably LAX.  But if i can hold the customs then I can catch an earlier flight this direction.  Otherwise its like a 9 hour stop :-/  Next connection will eather be Chicago or Dallas as those are the only 2 destinations American serves from Fort Wayne.  Even hitting customs at ORD-DFW wouldnt be bad sence there is more flights to FWA meaning a shorter stop  But if I have to clear before boarding a domestic flight then I will want that extra time on the first stop.  If it wasn't for being higher priced i would just hit Tokyo on the return and go strait to Chicago.

I'm going to have at min 2 possibly 3 stops going and 2 return.  If customs could wait till FWA that would be great sence the biggest passenger flights are CRJs & ERJs.  Wouldnt have a line

[legoalex2000]

if your esparate, you have 2 options passport--wise

you can get an "emergency" passport, arrives in the mail in 2 days. same passwort, arrives muc quicker, and costs about $100 or something along those lines.

TAKE ME WITH!!!

Ramos

[afi0yz]

American will be the starting airline reguardless due to using a few miles to get a discount.  But they don't serve Taiwan so I have to change airlines no matter what.  They could get me as far as Tokyo

Then use Cathay Pacific they are a oneworld parter with american

[Craig.]

OK your maximum stay is whatever the country sets so goto their embassy website also to check for any visa's and shots needed.
Customs and immigration happens at the point of entry, there is no option to defer it to a smaller flight. You just have to queue like the rest of us i'm afraid.

[JBaymore]

I have flown Asiana (a Korean line) to Japan, and the service and food was absolutely excellent.  I recommend them greatly.  JAL is another great choice...if they go to Taipei.  Don't know.

You will hit the foreign customs at your point of entry into your destination country.  If you have a stopover in another country.... usually you have access to only a portion of the airport behind "controlled" exits.  Usually they speak enough English at customs to ask a couple of stock questions and understand basic answers.

You will hit US customs upon your return at the airport that is the international port-of-entry.  That will be the major airport you arrive back at....like LAX or whatever.  It is not any kind of big deal..... just a pain in the butt.  (That is unless you are carrying something you shouldn't be  ;D.)

Usually your baggage is checked straight through on international trips.  Ask the airline.  However, ALWAYS keep real essentials in your carry on.  Sometimes stuff gets lost....and in asia that can be a problem if you are of typical American size.  Hard to find clothes and shoes in the right size.......and very expensive.  On my last flight to Japan, one piece of my luggage missed the international flight.... and they sent the one bag to meet me at Narita via a different airline!

Have a great trip.

best,

....................john

[Craig.]

Usually your baggage is checked straight through on international trips

Only to the international point of entry. You will have to claim your bags before customs and re-check them if you have a connecting flight. Usually airlines have a quick check, point after customs so you dont have to wait at the counters.

[Triple_7]

Only to the international point of entry. You will have to claim your bags before customs and re-check them if you have a connecting flight. Usually airlines have a quick check, point after customs so you dont have to wait at the counters.

So in otherwords they should make it fine going and shouldnt have to worry about making an extra long layover  Then just schedule a longer layover on the return to have time for customs ect...

About how long does customs take to get through.  I know it depends on the airport but how about LAX?  90% chance that will be my re-enter destination.

And other then carry on I plan to only have one large bag to check...if they manage to get that lost then someone will have some explaining to do  Only had one problem out of the few times I flew and that was going to Florida...I made it to Fort Myers but my bag ended up on the wrong flight.  I forget where it ended up but i got it the next day  Ever since I always pack for unplanned events

I'm guessing its a 2 week limit with passport.  Or 30 days.  The embassy website was a little confusing on that  I wouldn't stay for more then 2 weeks anyhow.

Going to find a travel agient this weekend and see what kind of information i can get for free.  I really dont want to have to pay an agient to book the same trip i could myself.  Still got a couple months to do some planning.  Have to come up with the money first

[Sir_Crashalot]

Don't worry so much about customs. On all my trips to and from Africa I never spend more than 20 - 30 minutes in customs. That is including waiting for people in front of you. But than again I don't know how slow US customs are. I've only flown from Europe.

For your question on how long you can stay on your passport, really ask the Taiwan embassy. You will probably need a visa. Most visa are valid for two to six months. Most of the time you need your vaccinations before you ask for a visa (they want some kind of proof you had your shots).

Hope this helps a bit, have a nice trip,

Sir Crashalot

[Craig.]

In the US its best to allow 30 minutes for customs and immigration as your an american citizen, you will breeze through immigration. But in Taiwan allow yourself 60 to 90 minutes minimum. There is no real set time I could give. But that is the absolute minimums.

[bbstackerf]

This might have some answers:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Safe travel, and have a great time on your trip!

Keni