LAX - immigration, customs and transfers

[pontins]

Hi, A group of us are flying to Chicago via LAX from Brisbane. Just a few questions please....

1.I believe we have to clear immigration/customs etc at LAX. So what is the order - is it immigration, collect baggage, customs?
2.Then I assume we re check in for our flight to Chicago?
3.Also - we arrive at T4 on Qantas..... where do we do immigration etc? 4. and how far is it?
5. Then we have to get to T7 for UA - is that very far.

6.We arrive at LAX at 7.00am on a Thursday - dont know how busy LAX will be, but we only have 2.55 from arival to departure between flights - is that going to be enough time?
7.I have hears SO many horror stories about LAX, mainly the interrogations at immigration etc.... what is the true situation - do they grill you???
8.then also heard that customs do the same???
Any answers would be appreciated....Thanks,

 

[munitalP]

Welcome to AFF

I can answer a couple of questions - you will get the rest answered, guaranteed!

1.I believe we have to clear immigration/customs etc at LAX. So what is the order - is it immigration, collect baggage, customs?

Correct - a word of advice, walk past the first lines in the immigration hall - this will speed up the process. Also ensure all paperwork is filled out correct and you have printed copies of onward flights with you - etickets are OK

2.Then I assume we re check in for our flight to Chicago?

Correct again - you will need to collect your luggage after being finger printed, retinal scanned and a full body search ()

3.Also - we arrive at T4 on Qantas..... where do we do immigration etc?

The same terminal - depending on where QF find a parking spot and if they have a handicaped pass to hang on the rear view mirror, it will be about a 10 mimute walk through a construction site!

5. Then we have to get to T7 for UA - is that very far.

Yes, miles, get the free shuttle from right outside the terminal

6.We arrive at LAX at 7.00am on a Thursday - dont know how busy LAX will be, but we only have 2.55 from arival to departure between flights - is that going to be enough time?

7.I have hears SO many horror stories about LAX, mainly the interrogations at immigration etc.... what is the true situation - do they grill you???

No more than most - answer their questions precise, be polite and don't talk about the weather or your holiday plans...

8.then also heard that customs do the same???

Again, no more than most - dont carry illegal goods, declear what you are unsure about etc...


Hope this helps


Mr!

 

[NM]

1.I believe we have to clear immigration/customs etc at LAX. So what is the order - is it immigration, collect baggage, customs?

Yes, always have immigration processing at the first landing point in the USA. Its immigration, collect bags, customs. Customs normally is just queuing and handing the form to the agent at the exit from the baggage collection hall. If you have something declared or if they decide you look like you might be hiding something they can direct you to one side for a bag search. In all my trips to the USA I have never been searched by customs. The queue to leave the baggage collection area can be long at some times of the day at some USA airports, but generally not a problem at LAX T4.

2.Then I assume we re check in for our flight to Chicago?

When you exit the baggage collection area through the customs declaration form collection point, you will find a TSA screening point got baggage for connecting flights. I am not sure if they only accept bags for AA flights at this point, but if your bag was tagged to ORD when you checked-in in Australia, then you can ask if you can deposit your bag there for screening and delivery to the aircraft. Otherwise you need to take your bag to the UA check-in desk at Terminal 7.

3.Also - we arrive at T4 on Qantas..... where do we do immigration etc?

Yes, immigration, baggage collection and customs will be done on the ground level of Terminal 4.

4. and how far is it?

How far from what? Its 7488 miles from Sydney. Its probably less than 100 metres from the arrival gate.

5. Then we have to get to T7 for UA - is that very far.

T7 is probably about 800m walk from T4. Exit T4 and turn right and walk past terminals T5 and T6 to get to T7. There is a bus that does the rounds between all the terminals but it goes in the other direction (as does all the traffic) so passes TBI, T3, T2, T1 and then across to T7 to start the loop again.

6.We arrive at LAX at 7.00am on a Thursday - dont know how busy LAX will be, but we only have 2.55 from arival to departure between flights - is that going to be enough time?

If your arriving flight is on time, you should not have any issues with a 2:55 connection at LAX between T4 and T7.

7.I have hears SO many horror stories about LAX, mainly the interrogations at immigration etc.... what is the true situation - do they grill you???

LAX is no worse or better than any other USA airport I have arrived into. The immigration officers will ask you questions about your intentions in the USA. Just answer honestly. You will be finger printed and photographed. Be polite and follow the instructions and you should not have any problems if you are a legitimate visitor who has made an honest declaration on the entry forms.

8.then also heard that customs do the same???

I have never even been asked a question at the customs form collection point on exit from the baggage hall. They just collect the form and wave me through. but if you look suspicious, have strange looking baggage or have to declare things on the customs form, then you may be sent for further questions and checks.

 

[Voyages]

NM's answer was awesome (with a twist of humour) *I like!*

2.Then I assume we re check in for our flight to Chicago?

If you have Qantas club membership or are going to fly business class, it's likely that you'll be able to collect your luggage much earlier than other passengers (from a different carousel).

7.I have hears SO many horror stories about LAX, mainly the interrogations at immigration etc.... what is the true situation - do they grill you???

8.then also heard that customs do the same???

I have gone through LAX so many times and never been 'interrogated' by the immigration officers. The only 2 questions they've asked were how long I intended to stay in the country, and how many % of the trip was for business vs. pleasure. The customs guys only took the form from me and hardly looked at the luggage.

I think you should relax and take it easy I hope QF15 lands on time for your connecting flight. I had 2 hours a couple of weeks ago and it was just enough.

 

[Warks]

The one thing you absolutely HAD to have was your address in the USA. It wouldn't matter what you wrote but never EVER say you left it blank because you were going to look for a place when you got to your final destination. In your case you should have that information so fill it in (or is that fill it out?) For others reading this even if you just put "Sheraton Hotel, Kansas City" that's better than leaving it blank. You don't have to be staying there just make sure the blank is filled in. There are even immigration officers walking through the lines bellowing out the same advice. Assume it's still the same. Not been through since 2005. If you are transiting to Canada you can get away with it.

 

[drron]

The most aggressive question i have been asked on arrival into the states was "Do you have any Tim tams-you know we confiscate them?"And yes we had about 10 packets for our son.And no they didnt confiscate them.

 

[harvyk]

Just be polite, answer their questions fully (otherwise they'll detect that your holding out on them) and truthfully (otherwise they'll catch you out with a later question), but don't voluntarily give out more information than you have to and you'll be fine.

Also they expect aussies to have Tim Tams, it goes without saying...

 

[serfty]

The one thing you absolutely HAD to have was your address in the USA. It wouldn't matter what you wrote but never EVER say you left it blank because you were going to look for a place when you got to your final destination. In your case you should have that information so fill it in (or is that fill it out?) For others reading this even if you just put "Sheraton Hotel, Kansas City" that's better than leaving it blank. You don't have to be staying there just make sure the blank is filled in. There are even immigration officers walking through the lines bellowing out the same advice. Assume it's still the same. Not been through since 2005. ...

Yep, this must be filled out, even if it simply says "In Transit"

... If you are transiting to Canada you can get away with it.

Or transiting to OZ as I did in 2006 (LHR-LAX-SYD)

The most aggressive question i have been asked on arrival into the states was "Do you have any Tim tams-you know we confiscate them?"And yes we had about 10 packets for our son.And no they didnt confiscate them.

I always fill this out truthfully but it does not always ensure a smooth passage.

One bright morning in HNL after arriving from SYD I was asked why I had filled out DoubleTree BOS. I had to dig out my e-tickets to show a separate AA booking to BOS departing HNL is around 3 hours (HNL-LAX-DFW-BOS). I also had to explain that I would not be there until the next days, and, yes, it was cheaper to fly the routing I had. :shock:

 

[uzza]

" 5. Then we have to get to T7 for UA - is that very far."

I'd walk it, it's about 600-800m along but I would bet it'll be faster to walk than get the shuttle (due to the way traffic goes at LAX)

I did the exact same thing you're doing (QF to LAX, UA to ORD though I went on to YOW) last year and the walk and the times between flights will not be an issue. I had "Transit" on my immigration form, no issues in LAX and didn't get bag searched just handed my customs dec (blue form) to the officer at the final checkpoint then walked up the ramp into the arrivals area (past the TSA bag screening) then out the doors to your right.