Transfer at LAX - do I need to clear security?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New Zealand (when I'm home!)
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Transfer at LAX - do I need to clear security?
In February, I'll be taking a domestic flight from San Diego to LAX. I'm considering flying with Air NZ home later in the evening. Question: if I do this, will I need to clear security at LAX? Or can I stay within the secure zone, and check in somewhere else (e.g. the lounge/at a transfer desk somewhere). I'll only have carry-on luggage.
And, if that isn't possible with Air NZ, does anyone know if it would be possible with Qantas or Virgin Australia? Thanks!
And, if that isn't possible with Air NZ, does anyone know if it would be possible with Qantas or Virgin Australia? Thanks!
#4
Moderator, Hilton Honors
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No transfer desks at LAX so either get boarding pass at gate when it opens, or if you have access get boarding pass at the lounge (fortunately *G lounge is operated by NZ).
#5
Original Poster
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#6
Join Date: Apr 2013
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Not all terminals. There is no airside from T1 (Southwest) to any other airlines and as far as I'm aware there is only airside access between 2 and 3 and that does not connect to the airside connector between terminals 4-8.
#7
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I actually am unsure about T1. Maybe not T1. I actually avoid Southwest so I forget that terminal even exists, ROFL. But T2 and T3 are connected to TB via buses - which I took a few months ago. As an airport geek I actually really enjoy driving along the tarmac!
#8
Join Date: Apr 2013
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There is definitely no connections to T1. Reading up about the T2/T3 situation the airside bus is only for Delta pax.
It's quite a nice walk from T7/T8 through to TBIT.
It's quite a nice walk from T7/T8 through to TBIT.
#9
Join Date: Sep 2008
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#10
Join Date: Apr 2013
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Depending on the time of the day I've even known people to avoid the slow TSA screening at TBIT by going next door to T4 and clearing security and then walking back airside to TBIT.
#11
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#12
Join Date: Sep 2017
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United T7 there is the underground walkway that brings you out on the other side of screening at TBIT. Use it quite regularly when connecting to Air NZ off united ex Houston.
#13
Join Date: Jun 2008
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The airside connector at LAX has been there for years - but most people didn't know about it until the TBIT rebuild a few years ago. A connection to T4 was recently added so you can connect airside between T4, TBIT and T5 - T8.
Depending on the time of the day I've even known people to avoid the slow TSA screening at TBIT by going next door to T4 and clearing security and then walking back airside to TBIT.
Depending on the time of the day I've even known people to avoid the slow TSA screening at TBIT by going next door to T4 and clearing security and then walking back airside to TBIT.
There were 5 people at this security screening point, compared with around 150 (estimated) at the TBIT main screening point. It also has TSA-pre check, so there was no waiting at all for me).
[I think I got pre-check cause on the way over was SSSS and was pulled aside at both AKL and at at SFO for further inspections].
#14
Join Date: Apr 2013
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TBIT was a shambles when I flew back last week. Queues were very small (probably 10 people in front of me) but it still took about 15 mins to clear security.
The new machines with the trays underneath are great - but the processes they use are quite simply broken. There are big signs saying to fill your tray and then push it forward. When you try to push it forward (and everybody was because that's what it says) you get told off and get told not to push them forward.
As people have 2-3 trays for their belongings the TSA agent on the other side randomly collects the trays to push forward on the belt. The consequence is you then end up like me where I'm one of about 15 people standing next to the machine at the other end trying to identify their trays which are all coming out randomly, and then trying to push in front of each other to collect their stuff from it. You seriously couldn't design a process that's any more broken!
The new machines with the trays underneath are great - but the processes they use are quite simply broken. There are big signs saying to fill your tray and then push it forward. When you try to push it forward (and everybody was because that's what it says) you get told off and get told not to push them forward.
As people have 2-3 trays for their belongings the TSA agent on the other side randomly collects the trays to push forward on the belt. The consequence is you then end up like me where I'm one of about 15 people standing next to the machine at the other end trying to identify their trays which are all coming out randomly, and then trying to push in front of each other to collect their stuff from it. You seriously couldn't design a process that's any more broken!
#15
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Seems to be common for all airports that use these automated systems to deal with the interleaved trays. It also happens at LHR T5, and happened to me at AKL a few months back. It sucks to be using the position farthest from the x-ray machine, as your tray can take forever due to folks in closer positions pushing their trays in ahead of yours - I had a tray take quite a while at ATL because of this.