Time traveller

Isn't the TBIT connector an airside walkway between T4 and TBIT? If people are already airside, why was TSA involved? I used the TBIT connector to walk between TBIT and T4 a week ago and I didn't see any TSA personnel there.

cbn42

From what I remember, you can use the connector to go into either the airside or landside area. There is a TSA guard to make sure that people from the terminal do not enter the connector from landside and bypass screening. So perhaps the guard wasn't letting people pass in both directions?

That's all I can think come up with. I could be way off.

flyertalker54234

Would be good to get an official response. The usual collection of TSA Haters do not really add much. I was told it was possible to enter through either terminal and use facilities in both. Further that connection across multiple terminals by airside connector will be possible. Using Disabled assistance this makes life mush easier. All I can think is there was an increased alert on international flights and TSA were trying to recheck pax from other internal flights or flights where CBP is located overseas and pax land as domestic.

TWA884

The secure airside connector between T4 and TBIT enables passengers to go between the two terminals, in both directions, without the need for rescreening. It has a TSA security checkpoint for arriving international passengers who are connecting/transferring to other flights.

More information is available in the American Airlines | AAdvantage forum:

TheBOSman

Yes. I could see why TSA would stop at the screening point, but the screening point is at ground level, and the connector area itself is mostly well above the level of the screening point. Overall it is quite confusing with the information we have what actually occurred and why it occurred, even by TSA's self-admitted "unpredictability".

Boggie Dog

Would seem likely for TSA to be involved would require some type of security alert. Perhaps someone(s) slipped past TSA without screening or some such. I think the "usual collection of TSA Haters" have been fairly reserved and mostly are looking for more information.

chollie

Let's suppose it was a security breach and they sealed off the corridor as a 'crime scene'.

Then have someone there ready and prepared to 1) inform the pax what is going on and 2) find a way to escort pax without having to leave the terminal and re-clear security. I don't care if they have to group pax, surround them with tape, and escort them through the corridor in bunches, or if they have to mobilize the between-terminal shuttles in a hurry.

FWIW, that did happen to me once, overseas. Some kind of mess in the terminal, so they escorted us in groups, surrounded by a big ring of barrier tape. It kept operations running as smoothly as possible under the circumstances.

MikeMpls

It's the concourse level bridge between the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) and T4, essential if you're planning some quality time in a DL/UA/AA lounge before an international flight:

You can see the TBIT-T4 bridge on this map: https://travelwidget.com/terminal-ma...erview_map.png

Closing it would be a major hassle forcing people to walk out & around on the sidewalk & re-clear security.

Note that the airside connections between T4/T5/T6/T7/T8 are not as straightforward as they might appear on the above map. T4-T5 is a concourse level bridge at the low gates, T5-T6 is an underground tunnel mid-concourse, and T6-T7-T8 are underground tunnels at the low gates.

This map shows the tunnels: https://www.lax-van-rentals.com/img/lax_terminal.png

Expect some major changes since Delta is moving to the other side of the loop.

TheBOSman

Let me clarify that I meant "I have no idea why (TSA would close it specifically)", in response to "Anyone know why using that connector would be an issue for TSA?" which I quoted. I've personally used the connector several times and am well aware of its existence .

TWA884

That is not accurate and the map that you linked is out of date.

T4 and T5 are connected by a mid-concourse tunnel as are T5 and T6. T6, T7 and the concourse that was previously identified as T8, but is now just a part of T7 (there are no longer any T8 signs at the airport), are connected at the departures level in the area closest to the terminal entry near the TSA checkpoint (be careful not to exit the secure airside area when walking between terminals).

Here is a link to an up to date map showing the correct locations of the terminal connectors (yes, I'm aware that this map show T8):

MikeMpls

As of May 17, 2017 that's even better than up to date

TWA884

That's for the locations of the airlines after the big Delta move Mother's Day weekend.

The terminal connections illustration/map reflects the physical setup of the airport as it has been since the TBIT connector opened in February of 2016.

ETA: The airport has a map, dated October 18, 2016, titled: How Do I Connect from Terminal B through Terminal 8? Follow the Yellow Dots