LAX Security - Go through TBIT and take bus
May 23, 2011, 12:56 pm
#1
Original Member
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Orange County, CA, USA
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LAX Security - Go through TBIT and take bus
This morning (7:20am) the line at LAX security (Priority Access) was out the door and 1/2 of the way to TBIT (Tom Bradley International Terminal). After about 5 minutes in line they said "Everyone with a departure at 8am or later, please follow me." They had us go into the TBIT, go through security there (2 document checkers, 4 lanes, no TBIT passengers), and then walk onto busses on the field, and then they delivered us to the employee bus entrance in Terminal 4 (exits to the AE transfer terminal).
I had never seen this before, but it worked really well. (Able to avoid AIT by choosing one of the 3 lanes using only WTMD, rather than the one lane using AIT.)
I had never seen this before, but it worked really well. (Able to avoid AIT by choosing one of the 3 lanes using only WTMD, rather than the one lane using AIT.)
May 23, 2011, 1:44 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: PSP
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, United
Posts: 1,081
Good to know that someone was aware that the wait time at T-4 was off the charts. Guess TSA must have had all lanes running the NoS. That usually brings things to a crawl.
May 23, 2011, 1:51 pm
#3
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,316
Makes reopening the tunnel to T5 and beyond seem like an even better idea.
May 23, 2011, 2:35 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: LAX
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More reason I can’t wait for the planned TBIT-T4 connector project to be completed ASAP (page 13 on the linked LAWA pdf file)
May 23, 2011, 2:41 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2006
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May 23, 2011, 3:15 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA PPro, 1MM
Posts: 505
T-4 is insane today. Lots of people trying to make it out to DFW/ORD after canceled flights yesterday in addition to normal traffic.
May 23, 2011, 3:17 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 226
The thing is they make almost everyone go through the NOS there even when the line is backed up... I hate it!
May 23, 2011, 3:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: QF WP, AA EXP
Posts: 3,520
I've made multiple complaints to the incompetent TSA about the Monday morning line situation. They have all fallen on deaf ears - nobody has ever responded. It's pretty ridiculous.
The strip search machines have definitely slowed the lines down. They need to stop using them in the mornings.
The strip search machines have definitely slowed the lines down. They need to stop using them in the mornings.
May 23, 2011, 3:37 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: LAX
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May 23, 2011, 4:13 pm
#11
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Los Angeles, CA - Nearly 4 Million Actual Miles Flown
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I make dozens of trips a year out of LAX and had the longest wait every through security on the 12th in the priority access line. It was leading all the way to the door that is closest to TBIT. All-in-all, about a 30 minute wait. Last Tuesday, you could instantly go up the escalator, and about a 5-7 minute way. Much different.
May 23, 2011, 4:27 pm
#12
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
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I believe the issue being discussed here is the slowness of the security line, not a rehashing of a rehashing of an NoS discussion (which would belong in TSS anyway). Thus, NoS opt-outs in this thread's context would actually make the problem worse, as they take longer to process than a trip through the machine itself, driving lines even longer.
May 23, 2011, 5:37 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AS, BA, AA
Posts: 3,670
Great solution for the OP's problem, though. I'm glad someone is thinking creatively.
May 24, 2011, 12:49 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador, AA EXP
Posts: 2,704
I just wish that the terminals at LAX would be all connected. It will definitely help relieve some traffic by distributing it.
May 24, 2011, 1:39 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Southern California/Los Angeles
Programs: Various
Posts: 2,778
I had a similar experience on the morning of May 19, though the lines were not that long. Seems like the TSA people are just dragging their feet...those lame body scanners slow things way down. Anyway, while I was there one of the station supervisors or managers for AA was voicing his concerns to the TSA people about the security lines not moving fast enough. I wasn't prepared to wait more than 45 mins to get through, screw up my schedule F.S..