2 h lax at mid-day from TBI to terminal 6.
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: Air NZ *E
Posts: 160
2 h lax at mid-day from TBI to terminal 6.
I’ve had a mid week flight booked for me to Canada via LAX in NZ2 which will arrive in LAX ~12:30pm. Only have 2 h to make connection at terminal 6. Both air NZ and Air Canada in J class. I will have
its been almost a year since I flew trough LA, and 2 hours seems very tight from my several painful experiences there historically and my last time in June last year I ended up spending the night in LA after missing a connection., (though when look on line air nz seems to sell this connection happily each day.)
i’ll be on a new passport so will get the X no doubt.
Had LA picked it’s game up recently?
One way I could reduce a few minutes is have no checked bags. Presumably Air Canada will let me have two carry on bags in business, if I’ve come off air nz that do.
its been almost a year since I flew trough LA, and 2 hours seems very tight from my several painful experiences there historically and my last time in June last year I ended up spending the night in LA after missing a connection., (though when look on line air nz seems to sell this connection happily each day.)
i’ll be on a new passport so will get the X no doubt.
Had LA picked it’s game up recently?
One way I could reduce a few minutes is have no checked bags. Presumably Air Canada will let me have two carry on bags in business, if I’ve come off air nz that do.
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 557
Arriving from New Zealand, OP will clear US customs and immigrations at LAX and then check-in and depart with AC - so he/she will have entered the U.S.; On the return from Canada, formalities would be handled on departure from Canada and that would then make for a 'domestic' arrival in the US. Coming from NZ, that's not the case. Line up for immigrations, collect your bags, go through customs, recheck - head to AC.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Auckland NZ
Programs: NZ Gold Elite, AS, AC, QF
Posts: 748
You should be OK. The important thing to do is find the special transit security in TBIT. It's after you drop your bag at the baggage transfer counter(s). It'll be on your right, well before you re-enter the main area of the terminal. Much shorter queues and you can then use the underground tunnels between those terminals while within the secure area.
#5
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YYZ/SFO/AKL
Programs: NZ*G, back of the bus UA, corner of the MLL AC.
Posts: 373
You should be OK. The important thing to do is find the special transit security in TBIT. It's after you drop your bag at the baggage transfer counter(s). It'll be on your right, well before you re-enter the main area of the terminal. Much shorter queues and you can then use the underground tunnels between those terminals while within the secure area.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: Air NZ *E
Posts: 160
i have used the tunnels going the other direction before. I thought I would be forced though to clear customs on arrival to LAX and end up curb-side without being able to get to the tunnels.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: Air NZ *E
Posts: 160
yep, one PNR. I know if I miss my connection, I should be put on another flight. I’m surprised the air nz go with a 2h transit for LAX, as my prior experience there is it’s next to impossible, unless LAX CBP have improved recently.
#9
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 479
You won't get an X at CBP because of a new passport. The X for first-time visitors has nothing to do with their passports, it's because CBP doesn't have their fingerprints on file.
#10
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,095
That certainly doesn't match my experience, or that of literally everybody I know who's visited in the past few years on a new passport and ESTA. It's an automatic X even if you've entered the US before.
#11
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 479
When CBP introduced the APC kiosks, they were very specific about which ESTA travelers could use them. They said anyone who visited since 2008. 2008 being the year they started taking fingerprints. They did not say people who had visited at least once since getting their last passport or ESTA. They wanted people who did not have their fingerprints taken to just skip the kiosks because they were guaranteed an X.
#12
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,095
I don't dispute your comments.. but when the only time I've had it fail with an X since kiosks started in 2014 out of ~15ish visits was on a new passport and ETSA, the only time my GF has had it fail was on a new passport and ESTA, and at least 3 people I know who are also frequent travelers to the US have only had a X on a new passport and ESTA, it seems a little beyond coincidence.
The CBP agent even told me traveling on a new passport and ESTA will result in an X.
The CBP agent even told me traveling on a new passport and ESTA will result in an X.
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: Air NZ *E
Posts: 160
You would clear security at TBIT and use the tunnels to get to T6. There is a special transit security point near arrivals. Walking to T6 outside curb would be a more straightforward route, but the transit security at TBIT is very quick and often has no lines at all.
You won't get an X at CBP because of a new passport. The X for first-time visitors has nothing to do with their passports, it's because CBP doesn't have their fingerprints on file.
You won't get an X at CBP because of a new passport. The X for first-time visitors has nothing to do with their passports, it's because CBP doesn't have their fingerprints on file.
where is the transit security in relation to this?
I’ve taken the tunnels in the opposite direction, but once again, from memory the T4-TBIT walkway is up above the departure area, as when I did it last I had to come down an escalator to get to the Air NZ gate I was using, so I’ll need to get up to this from transit security?
thanks.
Last edited by wackyflyer; Apr 1, 2018 at 12:16 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SEA
Programs: NZ Elite (*G)
Posts: 657
You should be OK. The important thing to do is find the special transit security in TBIT. It's after you drop your bag at the baggage transfer counter(s). It'll be on your right, well before you re-enter the main area of the terminal. Much shorter queues and you can then use the underground tunnels between those terminals while within the secure area.
#15
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Auckland NZ
Programs: NZ Gold Elite, AS, AC, QF
Posts: 748
You complete passport control, grab your checked bags and follow the transfer signage. Drop your bags on the indicated transfer baggage belt. As you go to leave that area it is on your right hand. The sign says something like "gates 40-130". If you miss the transfer security, you would continue up and into the main part of the TBIT terminal.