Originally Posted by
Oxymore
Did you do the rapid 90-min PCR at LAX? How was your experience? Did the results come back in time or did you have to use your antigen? The requirements seem to insist on RT-PCR, so this is all very confusing as to what will be accepted since a lot of places just say “PCR” as short for RT-PCR but it’s hard to be 100% sure.
We initially did eMed tests at home the night before leaving. Upon realizing they might not be accepted for travel - and they are not for entry into French Polynesia - I booked both the 3-hour PCR and rapid antigen tests at LAX. There were no appointments for the 90-minute PCR. We got our negative results for the antigen tests within 20 minutes or so, but the PCR tests took about 5 hours that evening. Coincidentally, TN had cancelled the afternoon departure and bumped us to the late evening flight out, which worked to our advantage in terms of getting the PCR results since we had nearly 12 hours on the ground. I booked a room at the Renaissance, so I was able to print out the results when they came in. We checked out and headed over to TBIT. The ticketing agent said there were multiple passengers who did not have an approved test and were scrambling downstairs to get one before the check-in window closed.
Upon arrival at PPT, the immigration officer asked which type of test we had, but she didn't look at the paper closely. We were also glad to have printed copies as other couples were having trouble pulling up electronic copies on their phones.
Also keep in mind this was before the latest requirement of PCR at 48 hours + antigen at 24 hours. In our case an antigen test alone would have been sufficient, but the authorities were still preferred to see a negative PCR test.
After arrival, nobody checked seemed to care about our test results for the duration of our stay. You do have to show your vaccine proof (or recent test) to board a domestic flight from PPT, but we did not have to show it on the way back from BOB.