SeaTac is like any other airport in the US when it comes to departures; clearly marked signs telling you where you need to go, ample parking, really good departure lounges etc.
It’s arriving at Seatac that is really tiring. First you stand for nearly an hour near the baggage claim to get your bags; in the process the belt might break down a couple of times or just plain stop running and you might get heavy pieces of baggage dropped on your feet. The one redeeming feature here is that baggage carts are free.
Once you clear customs, you have to ONCE AGAIN hand over your bags!! They are put on another conveyer belt and you have to pick them up at the FINAL baggage claim area (this because you need to get on a train to get to exit gates).
Then you make your way to the ’’international baggage claim’’ and wait another 15 20 mins or so to get your bags. Baggage trolleys here are $2. You can use your CC to pay. It might seem like a minor thing but after a really long haul flight, having to claim your bags TWICE is torture.
The officials (Immigrations and Customs) are efficient but cold; I’ve come across nicer folks in New York (now that’s really something, isn’t it)!! The immigration officer stamped my passport with a really unhappy look on his face and just about managed to mumble ’’welcome back’’ as an afterthought.
Word of advise, if somebody is coming to pick you up; ask them to wait at the the baggage claim belt, its very easy to miss each other . DON’T ever use your CC to make phone calls! Use quarters or if you don’t have those buy a phone card. I made a less than one minute call from the Qwest pay phones there and used my CC. Imagine my shock when I got billed $13.40 for it!!
A pretty good airport on the whole, but you need to be prepared to hang in there for atleast an hour and a half after you’ve reached.