Transit through LAX

[MelUser]

Did I see Hand Luggage Only.

Most Australians (myself included) use the giant trolley cases!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Did I see Hand Luggage Only.

Most Australians (myself included) use the giant trolley cases!

Yes, HLO. It always amazes me how people start off their holiday with suitcases bursting at the seams. Sure by all means come back with a couple of suitcases each but you'd be surprised how easy it is to fit the bare essentials into a 7kg carry on.

 

[serfty]

Yes, HLO. It always amazes me how people start off their holiday with suitcases bursting at the seams. Sure by all means come back with a couple of suitcases each but you'd be surprised how easy it is to fit the bare essentials into a 7kg carry on.

True, although the 'personal item' can be useful ..

More here: www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/.../great-hand-luggage-only-challenge-10900.html

 

[RickyT84]

Another data point.

Travelled from SYD to LAX on QF 11 in early May with a 2 and 1/2 hour connection to ORD. The flight departed SYD on time but arrived in LAX 30 minutes late. Before we disembarked, the crew made an announcement to advise passengers with tight connections to see ground staff at the end of the jet bridge where they would provided by a 'Express Connection' pass.

I was given one of these orange 'Express Connection' pass which contained the boarding pass for my AA flight to ORD. Went through immigrations quickly and breezed through customs and baggage drop off. I was in T4 within 45 mins of exiting the plane.

 

[Kangol]

May or may not be related - first time going through DFW recently and ESTA holders (ie Australian citizens) have their own version of Smartgate where you scan your passport, do fingerprints and have your photo taken at the same booth. Was out in a flash. Better than Smartgate where you do the kiosk thing, then line up to the gates for your photo. Luggage on the other hand :evil:

There was also another HLO line. Seriously!! Short line and you go straight out.
If this is what is happening at DFW, maybe this is a sign of things to come in LAX?

OK. I'm in LAX now.
Arrived at about 12.30pm on CX F. Very quiet.
ESTA holders have the option of the kiosk (camera, fingerprints and all). I used it but there was an error and had to go to the manual processing line (still quite quick). Unfortunately no HLO line but nevertheless it is an improvement.

 

[Kangol]

FYI I'm now in the American Eagle/US Airways Express gate 44 A/C. Yes, there is a new (and obviously small due to the "terminal" size) A/C. For those who don't have T4 F/L access you may be better off going here earlier...

The T4 F/L has also had an upgrade. Hendricks Gin and Grey Goose available as free pour!!!

 

[MelUser]

OK. I'm in LAX now.
Arrived at about 12.30pm on CX F. Very quiet.
ESTA holders have the option of the kiosk (camera, fingerprints and all). I used it but there was an error and had to go to the manual processing line (still quite quick). Unfortunately no HLO line but nevertheless it is an improvement.

Are you able to describe this process?

(1) I take it you need a microchip in the passport (some 7-8 year old passports) don't have it yet?

(2) Do you still get the stupid questions about why you are coming, where you are staying and how much money you have on you?

(3) Do you type your address into the screen anywhere - they used to be quite obsessed with address of where you are staying?

(4) is there any human intervention or do you only interact with person when you collect bags and walk through customs at very end?

thanks

 

[RooFlyer]

Are you able to describe this process?

(1) I take it you need a microchip in the passport (some 7-8 year old passports) don't have it yet?

(2) Do you still get the stupid questions about why you are coming, where you are staying and how much money you have on you?

(3) Do you type your address into the screen anywhere - they used to be quite obsessed with address of where you are staying?

(4) is there any human intervention or do you only interact with person when you collect bags and walk through customs at very end?

thanks

I'll leave it to Kangol to answer from his experience, but aren't questions about why you are entering the country and where you are staying etc pretty standard and reasonable, even for entering Australia (where I have to write my intended address down, even as a citizen) ? Intended address for visitors pretty important IMHO - eg as a trace if there was a disease carrier on board you flight. Sure, anyone can make up an address but as a guest in their country I try to oblige them if they ask. I can't remember ever being asked about funding, except on the customs form.

Anyway, I suspect some of the questions being asked by the immigration guy is a check against what you have written on the customs form; if the answers conflict, that's a red flag.

The only thing I have against US customs & immigration are the possible queue times, although ive never had a really bad experience. Now with the new set-up at LAX, and these new machines, looks like things are looking pretty good in the LOFAP.

Now, ask me about entering Canada on business - that's ALWAYS a hassle. Every time detailed, probing questions about the reasons for my visit. Several times I've been asked to visit the folks in the immigration area behind the front counters for an even more detailed grilling. Always walked out OK, but not exactly a pleasant experience.

 

[Kangol]

Are you able to describe this process?

(1) I take it you need a microchip in the passport (some 7-8 year old passports) don't have it yet?

(2) Do you still get the stupid questions about why you are coming, where you are staying and how much money you have on you?

(3) Do you type your address into the screen anywhere - they used to be quite obsessed with address of where you are staying?

(4) is there any human intervention or do you only interact with person when you collect bags and walk through customs at very end?

thanks

I got all the way to the end of the kiosk process and it came up with an error, so then I was directed to a "normal" officer for processing.
I don't think you need a microchip.

I don't remember the exact order, but here goes:
You scan the passport page with your photo, which brings up your details electronically which you then confirm.
There are the 5 or so Yes/No questions.
Then the scanning of one hand - you choose (4 fingers, then thumb).
No questions about the address or where you are staying.
Yes you get asked why you are entering the US (I think it was 3 options: business, pleasure, other - can't remember the 3rd??)
Photo is also taken.

I don't know about your point 4 because I didn't technically use the kiosk from start to finish. But if DFW is anything to go by, once you are finished with the scanning you get a ticket which you give to the officer on the way out and that is more or less it. Well that's what I experienced in DFW earlier this year - see upthread.

The test would be in the busy period, ie early morning when you have a fair few flights from Australia and Asia arriving at the same time. My guess is the process would be generally quicker. The express connection people are also there with their orange passes. I didn't get one because my connection to SAN was some 5 hours later, but I was able to get an earlier flight when enquiring at T4.

 

[MelUser]

Tks for that - I'll give it a go nest week when I land in LAX and then report back here.

 

[clazman]

Touch wood, never has a problem with US or Canadian immigration / customs, managed to get through in 10-15 minutes. The worst place for me is Perth coming in........ they seem to coordinate all planes arriving at the same time

 

[Jurahn]

Touch wood, never has a problem with US or Canadian immigration / customs, managed to get through in 10-15 minutes. The worst place for me is Perth coming in........ they seem to coordinate all planes arriving at the same time

+1 to that ... heaven help us when (if?) Emirates start using the A380 in and out of Perth.

 

[rioter]

Touch wood, never has a problem with US or Canadian immigration / customs, managed to get through in 10-15 minutes. The worst place for me is Perth coming in........ they seem to coordinate all planes arriving at the same time

I must have all your bad luck. Always seem to have horrible experiences with LAX. Transiting through on friday hoping all these reports of new kiosks will be a change for the positive.

 

[clazman]

Just to clarify a PM

Entered or exited North America through these ports Vancouver, Toronto, Washington and JFK .... LAX exit is booked for begining of next year

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Just to clarify a PM

Entered or exited North America through these ports Vancouver, Toronto, Washington and JFK .... LAX exit is booked for begining of next year

Not sure whose pm it was however when departing the USA there is no Customs when you exit the country - you simply check in then proceed through the TSA screening point to your departure gate.

Some airports will even have a mix of domestic & international flights departing from the same terminal.

 

[Jurahn]

Not sure whose pm it was however when departing the USA there is no Customs when you exit the country - you simply check in then proceed through the TSA screening point to your departure gate.

Some airports will even have a mix of domestic & international flights departing from the same terminal.

That's correct - you also cannot go airside at US airports (at least, at all the ones I've been through - please correct me if I'm wrong on that one!) unless you have a boarding pass, regardless of whether you're flying domestic or international, unlike our domestic airports here where you can go through security if you're seeing someone off but not travelling yourself.

 

[MelUser]

I must have all your bad luck. Always seem to have horrible experiences with LAX. Transiting through on friday hoping all these reports of new kiosks will be a change for the positive.

Are you able to report back your experience with these?

 

[aaflyer]

That's correct - you also cannot go airside at US airports (at least, at all the ones I've been through - please correct me if I'm wrong on that one!) unless you have a boarding pass, regardless of whether you're flying domestic or international, unlike our domestic airports here where you can go through security if you're seeing someone off but not travelling yourself.

You can go airside if you get a 'gate pass' which is in effect, a fake boarding pass. It'll have a fake flight number on it, and is legal. Airlines issue these for special situations, including where you may have a meeting in a lounge with other people. They're not easy to obtain though, but they can be.

I was not aware of LAX TBIT having the self-service machines yet?

 

[bPeteb]

What's the story with QF15/16 Brisbane-New York-Brisbane. Do we stay in transit at LAX and are we able to use the lounge while we are?

 

[DC3]

All passengers will clear immigration, etc, and claim luggage, at the first port of call in the USA (i.e., LAX in this case) as far as I know.