Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 07/21/2008 - 17:19
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Kuril Islands Biocomplexity 08

KBT Team,

In previous journal entries, you told us that you had many bags to check in onto the airplane. I was wondering approximately how long it took you to get through baggage check?

thanks, Mia HodgesSmile

Wed, 07/23/2008 - 16:39

KBP Team

Mia -
Checking in was pretty easy, since we were at Sea-Tac Airport. Each of the 11 American team members checked two bags, and had their carry-on bags, as well. Even though we stayed a night in Seoul, we were able to check our bags directly through to Y-S. And THAT's where the long wait hits us. It's a reasonably sized airplane, with probably 150 passengers or so. But they all have to first go through the passport control check-point, which this year took an hour and half (I was not quite the very last person to get through-there were 3 people behind me!). Lucky for me, because I was so long in getting through the passport check, all the other passengers had already cleared through the customs declaration and baggage inspection point. So I was able to just breeze through.
On the way back into the United States, we are planning to be bringing all of our scientific samples back with us. All of our samples require detailed import permits, and the US Customs officials usually request that we wait until all the other passengers (around 200 on the flight from Seoul) have passed through. That whole process usually also takes .5 to 2 hours. But, considering the amount of time and effort we have put into getting those samples, it is well worth the wait!
--Dr. E.