Getting tested on return to U.S.

[Trailboss123]

Their directive is to enforce US rules not create them or waive them. It's not up to the airline to decide what test is acceptable or not.

I don't know-- bottom line is that the 3 airlines that I mentioned earlier in response to a question from a poster, accept the eMed testing method and results. Somehow and some way they decided to accept (or were allowed to accept) that particular self test process and company. I think my point was and is that when it comes to self-tests, you might want to check with your airline as to which one(s) they accept or don't. I wouldn't be trying to contact the US government or the CDC to find out. The airline is the final gatekeeper in the process of you checking in and boarding a flight when all is said and done.

 

[scrane]

Yes. I was surprised. With all the bruhaha, once you hit the States noone in the re-entry process takes an interest in Covid tests.

 

[ReefHound]

I don't know-- bottom line is that the 3 airlines that I mentioned earlier in response to a question from a poster, accept the eMed testing method and results. Somehow and some way they decided to accept (or were allowed to accept) that particular self test process and company. I think my point was and is that when it comes to self-tests, you might want to check with your airline as to which one(s) they accept or don't. I wouldn't be trying to contact the US government or the CDC to find out. The airline is the final gatekeeper in the process of you checking in and boarding a flight when all is said and done.

And I disagree. If CDC says a proctored at-home test is acceptable then it is acceptable, and I challenge anyone to post reference to any airline officially saying otherwise. Those 3 airlines didn't concoct the rules or decide what they mean on their own. Like the mask mandates, they want the testing requirements gone and will drop them like a hot potato the second that they can.

The gate agent is the gatekeeper, right or wrong. Let's suppose you did call the airline about something. So what? If they told you one thing was ok and the gate agent tells you it is not ok, guess whether or not you get on the plane? The gate agent, who may or may not understand the rules correctly, is not going to change their position because you *claim* that you called and ^think^ you were told something else.

 

[ggunn]

As @DandyDon said- I would check with your airline. I can 100% guarantee that United, American and Delta do accept and use this testing protocol.

SWA as well

 

[gopbroek]

And I disagree. If CDC says a proctored at-home test is acceptable then it is acceptable, and I challenge anyone to post reference to any airline officially saying otherwise. Those 3 airlines didn't concoct the rules or decide what they mean on their own. Like the mask mandates, they want the testing requirements gone and will drop them like a hot potato the second that they can.

The gate agent is the gatekeeper, right or wrong. Let's suppose you did call the airline about something. So what? If they told you one thing was ok and the gate agent tells you it is not ok, guess whether or not you get on the plane? The gate agent, who may or may not understand the rules correctly, is not going to change their position because you *claim* that you called and ^think^ you were told something else.

Last fall I spent an extra day in Aguacaliente due to the station supervisor not knowing the exception for maintenance returning from repairing the aircraft. It wasn't malicious and the crew was going to time out so I spent the night and then had to get a test the next afternoon.

 

[ReefHound]

Last fall I spent an extra day in Aguacaliente due to the station supervisor not knowing the exception for maintenance returning from repairing the aircraft. It wasn't malicious and the crew was going to time out so I spent the night and then had to get a test the next afternoon.

Right. I'm not saying the gate agent or supervisor is always correct but they are going to enforce the policy as they understand it, and that understanding is only going to change coming down from official channels not someone's claim of what they were told on the phone.

 

[ReefHound]

Rather than check airline policy you may want to check country policy. From the CDC page in response to whether self-test meets the requirements:
"You can use a self-test (sometimes referred to as home test) that meets the following criteria:"
[list of requirements that basically say it must be proctored and verifiable]
"Some countries may restrict importation of tests that are not authorized or registered there."

But also under what types of tests are acceptable:
"The test used must be authorized for use by the relevant national authority for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the country where the test is administered."

So this seems to say the foreign country has a hand in it as well. The test must be legal and authorized in that country. Obviously, the US does not want to encourage US citizens to do something that is illegal.

COVID-19 and Travel

CDC travel recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

www.cdc.gov

 

[DandyDon]

Anyone know if these kits are approved by all airlines flying into the US from abroad?

I think you'd want to check your airline.

Your airline is likely to be in full understanding and compliance with whatever the CDC says.

If CDC says a proctored at-home test is acceptable then it is acceptable,

The airline is likely to be in full understanding and compliance with whatever the CDC says. In such rare a case where the CDC decisions are not fully understood throughout the airline, whatever the airport agent thinks is what's going to happen, but the best source for the airline's current policy is the airline.

 

[ReefHound]

Your airline is likely to be in full understanding and compliance with whatever the CDC says.

The airline is likely to be in full understanding and compliance with whatever the CDC says. In such rare a case where the CDC decisions are not fully understood throughout the airline, whatever the airport agent thinks is what's going to happen, but the best source for the airline's current policy is the airline.

And in that case, all airlines policy must, by definition, be the same. So as long as you understand what CDC says, you're golden. The best source for the rules is the entity that makes the rules and created a FAQ for common questions.

 

[DandyDon]

whatever the airport agent thinks is what's going to happen, but the best source for the airline's current policy is the airline.

Ultimately, each passenger can choose to believe his chosen source.