Wanted to give a report on my experience with a 1.5 hour layover between LAX and CLT flights after returning from Auckland.
I started my homeward flights in Queenstown. Before I left for the Queenstown airport I was able to check-in online for my LAX-CLT USAir leg. Presented my USAir boarding pass for my LAX-CLT leg in Queenstown and was able to get my bag tagged with CLT as my final destination. Changed equipment in Auckland and arrived to the gate in LAX Terminal 2 at 12:40pm. I had an exit row seat at the front of the Pacific Class cabin and was able to be in the first 10 passengers off. We had ~25 people ahead of us in Immigration from a previous arrival and made it through in 8 minutes. My bag arrived on the luggage belt as I walked up and went though customs with 3 people in line ahead of me and to the checked bags area (5 minutes). Out the door and left turn to Terminal 1 at a brisk pace (4 minute walk). Terminal 1 TSA line was halfway to the front door. Look for a priority line and ask the USAir ticket agent. He looks at my boarding pass and points to the elevator...not sure what the conditions are for using the elevator but no one was monitoring it...I am Silver Preferred and had upgraded to first class on the LAX-CLT leg (2 minutes). Take the elevator upstairs and breeze through security (3 minutes). Walk to the USAir gate (3 minutes).

25 minutes! The travel spirits were smiling on me!
Thanks for all the advice. It really helped!