Originally Posted by
tenacioustins
That is probably what I am referring to. According to the LAX map, there appear to be 3 levels with the ticketing/departure being on the second.
http://www.lawa.org/uploadedFiles/LAX/pdf/T4.pdf
Both years I was on the arrivals level. The second year I went up an outside escalator to the ticketing level. And was still confused
Exactly. The LAWA map does indeed show the three levels, just as I described. We are in agreement here.
Also, yes, there is a fourth level invisible to most passengers. When you enter the Admirals Club, they send you up yet another level to the club itself.
Uh, yeah, I think I'll make a drawing of that if I can or at least study the map a bit. I don't remember much from last year, other than finding the escalator. This is the video I took walking from TBIT to T4. After I went up that escalator, there was the massive line of people. First I went inside, but there were barriers everywhere and all I could see was ticketing counters so I went back out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNzMFeX4VaU
Great video!!! A picture is worth a thousand words.
You were on the ground floor, the Arrivals level, and then went up to the Departures/Ticketing level.
I think this is where you went wrong. You went into the ticketing lobby and saw giant lines. Those lines were for people checking in and checking their baggage. I would assume you already had your boarding pass. What you should have done was go up the escalator directly into the TSA queue with your boarding pass in hand, wait in that line, and then you would have been in the Departures concourse (third level).
Instead, you followed the random dude and got through TSA, then bussed back to the airside of T4. I would like to imagine that might have taken as long as just staying put and waiting through the TSA queue in T4.
Yes, I am familiar with arriving at TBIT...normally we have to go through immigration with ridiculously long lines and then pick up baggage and recheck it. Then walk out of TBIT and go to T4. So instead of walking out, after rechecking baggage, do I then find an elevator close by? That whole process is a little fuzzy to me but I am sure I will find it.
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In answer to your question, in my opinion it would be a bit less confusing to get to the Departure roadway level (middle level) using an elevator in TBIT. You know that terminal well, so just take the elevator up. Once on the Departure roadway level, walk to T4. You will be on the correct level to enter the ticketing lobby and go directly to the short escalator to the TSA screening, with boarding pass already in your possession.
Correct...I am just a normal passenger
Go to Australia enough times, and you may find yourself the proud possessor of a Gold card!
Now to find the west terminal doors. I *think* last year the people lined up outside who were also on my flight and connecting with AA or AE probably were going through those west terminal doors and that's why it was taking SO LONG.
That's possible, and that may be why they took some of you over to the TBIT screening. I have not experienced that situation, but I have never connected through LAX. LAX is "home", my final destination.
Thank you thank you thank you SO MUCH for your detailed help. Lots to think about and be aware of next time. The last time it was "look for the escalators outside and take one up." This year it will be "look for the escalators/elevators INSIDE and take one up" LOL!
My pleasure. I was 24 and remember when it was all new and confusing. You are doing the right thing by proactively figueing out what to do in advance and educating yourself. Good for you!!!
due to land at LAX at 6:55am LA time on the 18th (weird how that works lol!). Then I will take AA flight 264 back which doesn't leave until 11:50am so pleeeeeeennnnntttyyyyyy of time to chill and make this work even with going through immigration/customs/whatever.
That sounds great, and again I suggest you spring for the $50 Admirals Club day pass. You can take a shower, have a nap, and there are plenty of places to plug in and charge electronics.
If you are like me (cheap) and don't want to spend the dough for the AC, there is a charging station near either Gate 41 or Gate 43 (I can't remember which one). Another place to look is in Gate 41. There is a long wall separating the departure lounge area from some employee-only stuff. Along that wall are plugs.
The charging station is lit up in blue and advertises some product. It's a round kiosk type thing.
HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!! I'm really jealous. Oh, to be 24 again and off on all those adventures!!!