Transit through LAX

[blackcat20]

My understanding is that it's the same hall, but has been extended/renovated. It's certainly the same space I've been through every time I've been to the US, it's just shinier now.

 

[serfty]

Sort of ... the old space for immigration is now where the new luggage carousels are. The new immigration desks are further out.

The corridor where people queue for customs is flanked by the area where the old carousels were.

This was a lot more obvious when I came through in March and it was half new and half old ...

 

[VHOEJ]

The funny thing is if LAX had more desks open and didn't give all the priority to the US citizens, no one would need an Express Card.

 

[blackcat20]

The funny thing is if LAX had more desks open and didn't give all the priority to the US citizens, no one would need an Express Card.

More than half the desks were unused when I went through. Despite being almost first here from my flight, it took at least half an hour to get through immigration. Luggage and customs was so quick and easy after that.

 

[rickylee]

I should add that I am thinking about taking QF11 instead of QF7 on my next trip to YUL and see if I get the same experience. If so, I shall probably kiss DFW goodbye.

 

[Katie]

Any other reports of plat/J pax on QF getting express card, as per other airports?

I flew on QF11 in J as WP on 17 may, transiting to US flight to Phoenix ~3hrs later. No express card for me. Though I was on the kerb walking to T3 about 20mins after disembarking, or less. A group or two in front of me at immigration & a very thorough and diligent officer (all finger prints done, LOTS of questions), but my suitcase was there waiting for me when I got to the carousels.
Also did QF11 (me in J, +1 and kidlet in Y+), and we were at T4 security queue for our flight to SFO within 30 mins.
The new immigration and baggage carousels were in operation at TBIT back in October.

 

[TomVexille]

The funny thing is if LAX had more desks open and didn't give all the priority to the US citizens, no one would need an Express Card.

Why shouldn't they give all priority to US citizens? Priority to your own citizens is pretty much SOP everywhere.

 

[TomVexille]

So did I. Then I was told last year that AA started offering a "Fast Track" service in LAX, but QF was not indicated as one of the other airlines with the same service. So I was pleasantly surprised when I was met by QF ground staff at the gate (arriving at TBIT off QF11) and handed me a fluoro-orange "Express Connection" envelope with my name on it and my connecting boarding pass inside. When I got to the passport control area, I was ushered to a queue on the right containing only people with these orange passes. After bags came out, I was led to the front of the baggage re-check queue. I was left to my own devices for the walk to T4, but once I got there, not only was I placed in the Priority security screening queue, I was placed at the very front of it by TSA staff.

Your experience with the "Fast Track" is pretty much exactly the same as mine a couple years ago arriving on UA where my connection was down to about 35 minutes due to delays at SYD.

 

[Kangol]

They have had a system for some time where those with with short connections get expedited processing, both for immigration and customs. Such PAX need to look out for an agent just after the airbridge where they are handed an express flouro folder with their name scrawled on it and containing ongoing BP's

I experienced this once a year or more ago where had a schedule change reduce a booking's LAX transit to 1:55 ... No viable option was available for later connections to CVG so it was decided to stick with it. On arrival I was provided with said folder.

I did not perceive any newish policy to expedite the processing for statused passengers without short connections. For those it still appears to be the case that any one you overtake during a brisk walk for the aricraft to immigration may save 30 seconds.

Is the orange express folder different to the ones they have been having in the past 2 or so years? ie like this one:
Technically it folds open once and can be classed a "folder"....

From this link:
The Awesome But Little-Known oneworld Global Support Centers | The Cranky Flier

When you got to the express line, did the staff member manning it ask to check the details on your orange folder?

Another detail that doesn't add up is why they would have your onward BP inside that folder.. surely you would have gotten the BP(s) at original check-in?

 

[Himeno]

Why shouldn't they give all priority to US citizens? Priority to your own citizens is pretty much SOP everywhere.

That hasn't been my experience with arrivals in SYD and BNE last year. Express Lanes merged with Crew, AU lines longer and slower then visitor lines. Australia seems to be slowing down the Australian citizen lines in the hopes of getting them to go to Smart Gate (which are shared with AU, NZ, UK, US, CH and SG passports).

 

[serfty]

...

When you got to the express line, did the staff member manning it ask to check the details on your orange folder?

Another detail that doesn't add up is why they would have your onward BP inside that folder.. surely you would have gotten the BP(s) at original check-in?

No express line - I was directed to the (empty) crew line where the officer recognized the folder (or, better perhaps, sleeve).

I had Qantas printed BP's already - the folder (or sleeve) had two AA style "duplicate" ongoing BP's for my other flights that day.

FWIW I continued to employ the QF ones.

 

[Kangol]

No express line - I was directed to the (empty) crew line where the officer recognized the folder (or, better perhaps, sleeve).

I had Qantas printed BP's already - the folder (or sleeve) had two AA style "duplicate" ongoing BP's for my other flights that day.

FWIW I continued to employ the QF ones.

Thanks. I assume you have kept the sleeve for "future safekeeping"?

 

[Sdtravel]

I transited through LAX at the start of the month on QF107 on my way to JFK. Was in Y+. The only people getting any type of card were for other connecting flights (Toronto, and some other places). No one getting back on QF107 got a card as far as I saw, I checked with the lady handing orange cards for the others. Took about an hour to get through Immigration, CBP, pickup bag, redeposit and back to the gate.

Luckily I read up here and high tailed it to immigration. if I hadn't I would have been behind the Melbourne flight who arrived at immigration just as I got there.
On my way back from the QP lounge to the gate there were still people arriving through security after just having redeposited their bag. Although that could have been from one of the other 4 flights that transfer onto QF107.

Perhaps they figure its unneeded since its only AUS flights arriving at that time.

 

[RooFlyer]

Data point. Niece on QF93 a few days ago; 18yo, no status, with a 2 hr connection onto AA flight after arriving abt 30 mins late. Got an express card and breezed through immigration and customs to her connection.

 

[artemis]

I wonder if this will be a start to allowing australians access to the global entry program?

Oh man - how good would that be? Global Entry and TSA pre-check. I'd sacrifice so much for that!

 

[TomVexille]

That hasn't been my experience with arrivals in SYD and BNE last year. Express Lanes merged with Crew, AU lines longer and slower then visitor lines. Australia seems to be slowing down the Australian citizen lines in the hopes of getting them to go to Smart Gate (which are shared with AU, NZ, UK, US, CH and SG passports).

Well that's a gripe you have with the Australian Government. As far as I'm concerned, since the introduction of Smart Gate it's only taken seconds for me to pass through Immigration on arrival into Australia.

 

[Kangol]

Update - and I'm tempted to start a new thread.

Business associate of mine went though LAX on Tuesday this week and apparently there is an new immigration hall operating at LAX (apologies if this is old news, but new to me). Same basic set-up, but new area ... part of the refurbishment.

Pax, a QFF plat, travelling QF J on disembarking got an Express Card thrust into his hand by agent at the air bridge, printed with his name, QF member #, arrival flight, and connection flight (Westjet to Canada). His connection wasn't 'tight' - 2 hours which for a J pax is usually plenty.

The express card enabled him to use a USA citizens lane in the (new) arrivals immigration hall, and got him through LAX arrivals in 10 minutes.

Coupled with the other reports in this thread, I think we are seeing the long hoped-for better LAX transit.

If so, hooray!!\

Any other reports of plat/J pax on QF getting express card, as per other airports?

Hope so too, can report back first hand in 2 weeks. Although i am really hoping that Australia gets entered into the global entry program soon. I envy those machines while waiting in line.

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?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

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?

This sounds like Chichago's "One Stop Clearance" which is applicable for pax with HLO where the CBP officer who fingerprints you etc also collects your blue customs form so you don't even need to enter the baggage claim area.

The link below relates to AA however we used after flying NRT/ORD on UA. The are other plans to extend this facility to more cities however not sure which ones.

Expedient Customs At Chicago O

 

[serfty]

... There was also another HLO line. Seriously!! Short line and you go straight out.
...

Used one of these at ORD in April, they call it "1 Stop" - brilliant!

Chicago Department of Aviation News - "1 Stop" Launched

 

[TomVexille]

This sounds like Chichago's "One Stop Clearance" which is applicable for pax with HLO where the CBP officer who fingerprints you etc also collects your blue customs form so you don't even need to enter the baggage claim area.

The link below relates to AA however we used after flying NRT/ORD on UA. The are other plans to extend this facility to more cities however not sure which ones.

Expedient Customs At Chicago O

Used one of these at ORD in April, they call it "1 Stop" - brilliant!

Chicago Department of Aviation News - "1 Stop" Launched

Even more reason to fly to ORD via Asia or Europe for my next trip