34 hours in LAX airport. Will I survive??

[harvyk]

34 posts over 4 pages and nobody is willing to give the OP a chance.

Anyone ?

(Don't know if you are being sarcastic or not, so for the purpose of this answer I will assume not, that's the problem with the internet, sarcasm doesn't translate very well)

I don't think we're not giving the OP a chance, and obviously if the OP feels so inclined to spend 34 hours at an airport then that's their prerogative, it's just I myself have spent a couple of nights at airports, all of them involved a very late arrival (think an early am arrival) and a breakfast time departure (think sometime before 9am). At sometime around the 4am mark, after you have gotten exactly zero meaningful sleep (you never sleep well when you need to keep one eye on your belongs to make sure no one takes anything out, or worse, puts something in), you will be questioning why you are doing this, and unlike seriously long haul flights where there is almost a badge of honor for doing so, there is very little street cred to come from simply killing time at an airport. For me, typically anything longer than a 5 or 6 hour layover is reason to leave the airport and explore.

Now the OP has said that they are trying to save money. The way I see it is that if you are in a city that is virtually on the other side of the world to where you live, why not jump at the opportunity to get out and see the sights? By failing to do so is IMHO a much bigger waste of money than blowing a few hundred dollars on a day of entertainment / accom.

 

[codash1099]

Do I detect a touch of masochism in the OP?

 

[legroom]

Yes, I was being sarcastic with my comment there (someone else could not sense that )

Money is important but others spend a lot more to grab a J seat so that they could sleep for 6-8 hrs on a plane.

Somewhere upthread someone mentioned it costs ~ $50 for a motel near the airport; So in the context of saving money, I could see little / no value of saving $50 in exchange for sleep deprivation, personal hygiene, property security and like you said, a missed opportunity to see something new.

If it were me, I'd happily spend a lot more than $50 to get a good night sleep on a firm mattress after a few laps in the pool followed by next-day leisurely walking into the F lounge in a clean set of clothes with all my belongings untampered with.

(Don't know if you are being sarcastic or not, so for the purpose of this answer I will assume not, that's the problem with the internet, sarcasm doesn't translate very well)

I don't think we're not giving the OP a chance, and obviously if the OP feels so inclined to spend 34 hours at an airport then that's their prerogative, it's just I myself have spent a couple of nights at airports, all of them involved a very late arrival (think an early am arrival) and a breakfast time departure (think sometime before 9am). At sometime around the 4am mark, after you have gotten exactly zero meaningful sleep (you never sleep well when you need to keep one eye on your belongs to make sure no one takes anything out, or worse, puts something in), you will be questioning why you are doing this, and unlike seriously long haul flights where there is almost a badge of honor for doing so, there is very little street cred to come from simply killing time at an airport. For me, typically anything longer than a 5 or 6 hour layover is reason to leave the airport and explore.

Now the OP has said that they are trying to save money. The way I see it is that if you are in a city that is virtually on the other side of the world to where you live, why not jump at the opportunity to get out and see the sights? By failing to do so is IMHO a much bigger waste of money than blowing a few hundred dollars on a day of entertainment / accom.

Please see post #6

Not being rude, but give him a chance to do what exactly? He asked for opinions about his plan and the AFF brains trust has given them. I don't think anyone in all good conscience could say that the idea is a good one, for various reasons mentioned throughout the thread - for his own comfort or his own safety.

While not actively encouraging the idea, nobody can stop him or is trying to. The OP will do what he wants anyway. Wild and crazy kids these days, you know. NOW GET OFF MY LAWN. :mrgreen:

 

[SamR]

Yes, I was being sarcastic with my comment there (someone else could not sense that )

Heh. Ok, you got me. I was borderline and wasn't sure. I guess I've spent too much time lately at places on the internet where people say dumb things and mean them.

And post #6 was so long ago! Surely you don't expect me to remember sarcasm from that long ago!

 

[mark4217]

Funny thread indeed. How about you post your bank account details and I will donate $2.00. By the number of people reading this you could get to $55.00 dang quick.

 

[mark4217]

Alternatively take a good sleeping bag, some vegimite and a 12 pack bread rolls from bakers delight

 

[fersea]

There are municipal buses that you can get on to go for a ride before returning to bed down at LAX. Check this out to get out of the airport on as few $$ as possible. I think tit's the one called Flyaway. Los Angeles Public Transit | Discover Los Angeles

How about the bus to here: Jerry's Motel285 Lucas Avenue, Los Angeles, California
Hotel website | E-mail hotel | 0011 1 213-481-8181



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FREE WI-FI AND PARKING!
Free parking for 1 vehicle per room for the length of paid stay. No large vans or RV's.

I can recommend this place. My girlfriend and I stayed there for two nights last year and I was fine. The bloke running it was really nice (Indian guy from memory). The room wasn't huge but it was clean and the bed comfortable, tv had all the cable channels including a cricket one which I found amazing. It was pretty close to downtown in fact I can remember walking back from the Staples Center after a basketball game. Also had free parking which I doubt is an issue for you.

I have a feeling there was even some breakfast included but I might be getting it mixed up.

If you want to go even cheaper there are a couple of backpackers I have stayed at. There was one in Inglewood which was about $15 per night but was a but dodgy. The one I stayed in in Hollywood was great.

In all honesty mate, if you are that hard up for a dollar you shouldn't be travelling. Having said that, I think the OP is taking the mick.

 

[elbarto]

Seriously, get a room.

 

[Deleted member]

Seriously, get a room.

Or a life !

 

[Maggs]

5 hours in and probably not that bored yet. If he can't check in his luggage could be a hassle.
Suppose he could just travel to and from the various free hotels, they run 24 hours. 21 year old, maybe smooze someone for free accom while travelling on the hotel bus????
Endless scenarios.
Bet he gets a room. OR he is just having some fun with us all.
I will check back later.

 

[psi999]

Last year I rocked up for a 7am Delta flight to HNL from SFO that was canceled last minute (basically at checkin) - was rebooked onto United for a ~2pm flight, little annoyed but what can you do (was actually pretty pleased how Delta handled the rebooking process).

2pm rocks around, plane delayed until 6pm then also canceled. Ended up on a 8:30pm flight.

Almost 15 hours airside, no lounge access - i must have walked every square inch of SFO to fill those 15 hours.... i couldn't imagine double that and some.

All the best

 

[gogo419]

The lovely lady in the call centre got me on to tonight's flight. So only here for 7.5 hours. Ended up catching the bus to Santa Monica as I needed some new ski gloves.

new terminal looks great!

 

[PLANT]

Are you drunk or inept at posting pics
Yeah I have done a 10am-1am stretch there....T3 seemed best WIFI VA checkin area. Hold off going past TSA as you lose ability to get fresh air/LA air and direct sunlight and maybe an easy evacuation
Remember the shops past TSA are not all duty free like back home
Has anyone got on a free hotel shuttle and not stayed at the hotel?
The drivers seem to know how many they are picking up.......

 

[legroom]

"only 7.5 hrs", and no lounge access !

Certainly looks better than your planned 34 hrs which none of us here would contemplate unless as a form of penalty to one of our enemies.

The lovely lady in the call centre got me on to tonight's flight. So only here for 7.5 hours. Ended up catching the bus to Santa Monica as I needed some new ski gloves.

new terminal looks great!

 

[gogo419]

Are you drunk or inept at posting pics

I've only had one g&t.. it's the iphone that doesn't know what to do with photos!

Aircanada through checked my bag as well. So didn't have to touch it when I landed in LAX.

 

[JohnK]

Glad to see all has worked out.

I would consider spending 11-12 hours in an airport. I have done so in the past. But 34 hours is a little too long.

Also for some overnight transits I have stayed in the airport (SIN, HKG, TPE) on more than occasion instead of spending ~AUD150 on hotel. Better in my pocket and I dont feel worse for it now. Pain eases with time.

 

[Quickstatus]

Pain eases with time.

Well sitting in Y (and depending on airline and actual seat Y-) causes similar pain.

However while the physical pain might ease with time, but the mental anguish of Y/Y- is seared into the brain so the memory remain even when dementia sets in. :shock:

 

[JohnK]

Well sitting in Y (and depending on airline and actual seat Y-) causes similar pain.

However while the physical pain might ease with time, but the mental anguish of Y/Y- is seared into the brain so the memory remain even when dementia sets in. :shock:

Funny you say that. There must be a lot of scarred people around.

Personally I could put up with a recliner for ~11-12 hours if it meant I could save money.

Same thing for hotels. A $50 hotel room achieves exactly the same thing as a $300 hotel room.

I guess we are not all the same.

 

[Quickstatus]

Yes there are a lot of scarred people around. Few travellers IMHO really think Why is great and worth it. No we are similar. I understand opportunity cost. I have many a searing memory of whY and whY not (Y- aka LCC), and dodgy hotels. Even hotels with toilet as hole in ground just to save a few bucks.

 

[docjames]

I'd love the OP to try it. The TR would be epic.

Personally, I try to minimise my time at LAX!