I'd imagine it'll depend on what class your mate is travelling in. I did the QF107 all the way through to JFK in June in J. I was within the first 30 to clear customs, re-checking your luggage involves getting it off the belt, then walking all of 20 metres to put it into an x-ray machine before it goes off, hopefully to be seen again. From start to finish couldn't of been more than 20 mins from leaving the plane. If in Y, it will obviously take a little longer due to to the higher number of pax in front.

Getting back into the terminal was a nightmare, the economy line snaked all the way through the terminal and about 150metres outside of it.

The premium line at the other end of the terminal was about half the size with plenty of DYKWIA types slowing the process down.

I was in the lounge, showered and upto date on emails with 45mins to kill before boarding commenced for the LAX-JFK leg.

It's hard to be positive about such procedures but in all honesty it wasn't too bad. It's always going to seen a pain though after getting off a 14 hour flight when all you really want to do is have a shower and freshen up before the next sector.