Average time thru LAX customs from Australia?

[PLANT]

Hi all,

I've been thru LAX from Australian 3 times and the longest was 30 minutes after the 500metre walk.
Do you think a 1hr 30minutes is enough time to clear and get a domestic flight(2hr 10 between but 45 minute cut-off in Terminal 3)??????

Edit: My maths was wrong 2hrs 15minutes before Cutoff(total 3hr 10)minutes
Arrive 0830 VA leave Frontier 1140hrs

Regards

 

[Hvr]

In a word no.

Way too many things need to go right, first timely arrival at LAX, then immigration and customs. Then getting to the new terminal, checking the bag then security there and so on.

If you're on the same PNR and there are lots of flights to your next destination then your risk of wasting the domestic leg is decreased.

 

[TomVexille]

No. Not worth the risk IMHO. Any sort of delay and you're stuffed.

 

[serfty]

Average time for me is about 20 minutes for immigration and 5 minutes for customs.

Earlier this month, it was 25 minutes and 15 - I was lucky as the immigration hall was relatively quiet when I arrived with ~20 PAX deep queues. (8:45am)

Within 10 minutes of my queuing up, the queues would easily have been 80+ deep.

See this for a historical list of wait times: www.awt.cbp.gov

 

[amaroo]

Took us around 1.5hrs to clear I&C in Dec.....and we were among the first 14 off the plane.

At least QF had neatly stacked all the bags on the floor...

Wrote about it here http://www.australianfrequentflyer....iles-helicopter-airboat-57072.html#post972276

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Hi all,

I've been thru LAX from Australian 3 times and the longest was 30 minutes after the 500metre walk.
Do you think a 1hr 30minutes is enough time to clear and get a domestic flight(2hr 10 between but 45 minute cut-off in Terminal 3)??????

Regards

From what airline to what airline? What are the flight numbers? All same pnr or separate?

Last time I flew into LAX (QF15) we arrived at 0612 but as LAX doesn't open until 0630 the crew were not allowed to open the doors until 0630. Only had HLO but exited the customs hall at 0650. Our next flight to LAS wasn't until 1055 so we had plenty of time.

I can only echo what others have said in that I wouldn't do it as all you need to happen is for a KE flight to land in front of you when numerous pax have not completed their paperwork and it all turns pear shaped very quickly.

 

[amaroo]

From what airline to what airline? What are the flight numbers? All same pnr or separate?

Last time I flew into LAX (QF15) we arrived at 0612 but as LAX doesn't open until 0630 the crew were not allowed to open the doors until 0630. Only had HLO but exited the customs hall at 0650. Our next flight to LAS wasn't until 1055 so we had plenty of time.

I can only echo what others have said in that I wouldn't do it as all you need to happen is for a KE flight to land in front of you when numerous pax have not completed their paperwork and it all turns pear shaped very quickly.

Spot on - speaking from experience here....

 

[PLANT]

Looking at Tuesday morning in April from VA 0830hrs to Frontier 1140hrs in T3?

 

[mole]

I'm usually fairly lucky in regards to wait times at LAX except for my last trip. Arrived on time from Brisbane, off the plane quite quickly as was at the front of PE and through immigration in around 25 minutes, then the wait began! Waited, and waited for luggage coming off and got worried when about 15 of us were left with no luggage, some ground staff wandered over and told us that a container of luggage had been left on the tarmac and had been located and would be through shortly. In the end it took around another 45 minutes from being told it was on its way to actually arriving on the carousel. We had a fairly tight connection on to Miami and were given express passes for security and basically went straight on to the plane. Whilst I know this is not a regular occurrence and nothing like this has ever happened like this on numerous trips through LAX before, it has definitely made me allow for a longer connection on my next trip. I should add that we had a 2.5 hour time frame from landing to time of onward flight.

 

[phily]

Do you think a 1hr 30minutes is enough time to clear and get a domestic flight?

Not enough time. You only need your flight from Australia to be delayed, and that happens regularly enough, and you're stuffed. What's the layover time for the subsequent departure to your final destination? If you've got Lounge access at LAX, then I'd definitely take a later flight. It'd prevent you from being anxious all the way to LAX.

 

[PLANT]

My maths was wrong 2hrs 15minutes before Cutoff(total 3hr 10)minutes

 

[PLANT]

Booked flight let you know how I go......How does Travel insurance cover flight delay if I miss it?

 

[serfty]

Booked flight let you know how I go......How does Travel insurance cover flight delay if I miss it?

Many don't - separate tickets then your problem, one ticket then it's the airline's problem.

Check the PDS's ...

 

[aaronm]

LAX is definitely a gamble. Traveling Y+ I can usually get out in about 30 min (plane-exit customs) but a lot depends on whether your flight is on time, and even if it's early sometimes the gate isn't available so you get to spend some time on the tarmac. 3 hours I'd consider a "tight" connection, 2:15 you might need to ask the flight crew to help you get off first.

 

[PLANT]

Yeah I have got out first the last 3 times with On time flights......Only held up on return leg...when someone required a medical(not sure if it was a ploy to get up front) on landing.
I have not had short time between connecting flights before and will stride quickly from gate to immigration to be scanned....bloody long walk though.

Does this mean it must be 6hrs late before cover kicks in:
"Where your scheduled pre-paid transport is delayed, cancelled or rescheduled we will pay for: additional accommodation, meals and transfers after the first 6 hours of the delay; reimbursement of pre-paid accommodation, transfers, tours, events and attractions you miss out on because you can’t reach your destination on time. No excess applies."