Originally Posted by
SilverChris
Neither of which will help the OP, given the ~6pm arrival from PHL
A more risky option would be to not claim the bags on arrival and pick them up at UA baggage services on the way back. Of course, they could get stolen or chucked away at an office and might take a while to be retrieved.
Based on timings alone and the traffic around LAX at 7pm, will there even be time for one to leave the airport if the international flight departs at midnight?