LAX Airport advice needed please

[juzdownunder]

Hi all, I'm off to Vegas (from Melbourne) in February for a work conference, and have a couple of questions for those of you familiar with LAX, particularly TBIT and T4. I'm travelling in Business Class, and have an upgrade request for First Class, but with zero status it's unlikely so let's assume I'm Business Class the whole way...


1. Getting from TBIT to T4 for the flight to Vegas;
- I've done this trip twice before (2008 & 2010), and I always find this bit really, really confusing. On arrival (QF93 arriving 6:30am'ish), I collect my bag & clear customs then I've got to get across to T4. I think the only way to do this is to walk outside, turn right and walk over to T4. I vividly remember being mercilessly hassled on both previous trips by a frighteningly happy large woman who offered to marry me...I think she was trying to sell me transport to wherever I need to go...but despite saying I'm just trying to get to T4 she still keeps on the hard sell...buggered if I can remember exactly what for though? I'm usually pretty out of it by this time and just try and forge ahead!
Once I'm in T4, I seem to be part of a big queue to check in with AA for the flight to Vegas, then an even more enormous queue to get through passenger screening...I recall the screening line taking almost an hour or so to even get to the xray gates, shoes off, belt off, the usual stuff. I can't recall any kind of priority access here for Business/First class ticket holders. Does anyone know if there's a priority line I should be seeking out here?


2. Returning from Vegas to LAX for QF94 home;
- I recall this being a lot easier than the trip into LA...you get off the flight from Vegas, go to a transfer lounge nearby and get bussed over to TBIT, from there you make your way to the Qantas lounge and everything is pretty smooth. BUT...I've noticed I've been booked on the (AA) 18:15 flight from LAS which lands in LAX at 20:01 (weirdly specific time?). I then have QF94 flying out at 22:15. That's only 2 hours between landing and departure...seems to be cutting it really fine, I'm sure my last two trips I had 3-4 hour layover in LAX. Should I be concerned here? If the flight out of Vegas is delayed by even 30m will I be in danger of missing my 22:15 flight home? Obviously I'll have my boarding pass for the flight already, I recall they issue that in Vegas, and my luggage will also be looked after for me so I assume that helps, but it still feels like I'm pushing my luck here...thoughts?

 

[serfty]

Most of what you recall is correct (although while I have been accosted by touts in the past, not so much these days).

With Oz->LAS, after customs you redeposit any bags before leaving TBIT.

Then go upstairs (at TBIT - there are escalators outside) to the departures level, then head to the right. Do you have any *O status? If not then enter T4 at the first door and head up the escalator to security. If you do have status head to the far (east) end of T4 and use the Priority Security escalator there.

As for LAS->Oz, the bus to TBIT leaves from Gate 44 on the top of the hour and every ½ hour. It pretty reliable, but the G44 waiting area can get crowded with late running SYD PAX who get priority. If you miss a bus and it's a 20 minute+ wait for the next one, just walk to TBIT by heading along the T4 concourse - at the end to the right there is an exit and long escalators going right down to baggage claim - don't take these but head straiter and take a short escalator down to the check-in hall. Exit the building, turn left and walk around to TBIT. Take the first entrance and head down past the check-in counters to some escalators taking PAX up to TBIT security.

 

[snabbu]

I vividly remember being mercilessly hassled on both previous trips by a frighteningly happy large woman who offered to marry me...I think she was trying to sell me transport to wherever I need to go...but despite saying I'm just trying to get to T4 she still keeps on the hard sell...buggered if I can remember exactly what for though? I'm usually pretty out of it by this time and just try and forge ahead!

One word, earphones.

Other than that as serfty says you're pretty accurate on the processes.

 

[juzdownunder]

<<snip>>. Do you have any *O status? If not then enter T4 at the first door and head up the escalator to security. If you do have status head to the far (east) end of T4 and use the Priority Security escalator there.

Thanks, much appreciated. I don't have any status at the moment, I gave up my flying days quite a few years ago. Just checked and yep I'm Bronze with 0 status credits. So the only priority I get is what you're given by being in Business Class I guess. Does that get me into the priority security area at T4?

 

[juzdownunder]

One word, earphones.

Genius! Alternatively I could probably just hold my phone up to my ear as soon as I get to that point, make out like I'm in deep conversation.