Originally Posted by dhuey

Excellent advice, though I wonder if the checked bag complicates this. I sense they would balk at having your bag go LAX-SFO-LHR while you go LAX-LHR. Maybe our friend should check the status of LAX-SFO immediately before checking in at LAX. If there is any significant delay, make the inquiry about switching to the nonstop before handing over the bag.