Originally Posted by theblakefish
I would use caution in applying that statement to all airports in the southwest US. Once upon a time (....until last week), I lived in ELP, and when you entered the security line at the airport, there is a CBP officer stationed there 24/7.
Oh wow, i didn't know that. I have flown through there a couple times too. Back to the OP's airports, IMO LAX shouldn't be the same problem as ELP because it's so big and busy. Plus, if the PAX is with a group, that really brings down the "risk" factor.