TWA884

Correct, and I've already explained that earlier:
Although I did not make it as clear as I should have, the post that you quoted was meant to be a comment on yumiaz's outbound trip, PHX-LAX-TYO.

stephem

I used this last night when my inbound flight from MEX was very late, cruised through Global Entry in 2 minutes, up and over to T4 and then down to a shuttle bus to the Eagle gates in about 12-15 minutes all up. I was met by an agent upon deplaning from the flight at TBT who said, we re-booked you on a later AS flight (in a middle seat!) if you don't make this... That was motivation to make it. I never ran but kept moving fast. Knowing exactly where to go certainly helped, I wound up on the last shuttle bus that would have allowed me to make the connection. I would say from door opening at TBT to entry onto the Eagle flight at gate 52H that not more than 20 minutes total elapsed.

yumiaz

Thank you, fanger.

Well, since we've been flying with SW to LAX, then transfer to TBIT like forever..., for our upcoming and future trips should be much easier by flying with AA or Delta which are at much closer terminals, even without using The Connector... LOL

yumiaz

Again, thank you all for your help, insights, sharing experiences and expert opinions!

I have another question to ask related to my annual trip to Japan... I wanted to know "WHICH AIRPORT in Western US (or Canadian) City (since I'm originating from PHX) would be the easiest and most convenient to transfer to/from International flights, with checked baggage and separate PNR, going to/returning from NRT or HND?" - well and I prefer using JAL for International legs.

But I didn't know which forum to post... So, I contact FlyerTalk thru their "Contact Us: form several days ago to find out, but nobody ever responded to me...

So, if any of you could direct me to which forum to post the question, I would really appreciate it!

Thank you in advance!

serfty

This depends on your domestic carrier to a reasonable extent.

If AA, then perhaps LAX or ORD.

NickP 1K

Any recent reports for Monday's 5PM - Flying BA - so no PreCheck - otherwise I would use T4 PreCheck if flying AA. What is the best chance for less of a security line, connector security line? Deal with T4 Priority (non precheck)? or is TBIT's Priority line not as bad as it used to be

bzcat

I would first check to see if TBIT arrival TSA is busy. If the line is short there, clear TSA there.

If it is busy, then go to T4 and use the priority line.

I wouldn't bother with the regular TBIT departure TSA.

serfty

In mid march on a Saturday I went though the "Arrivals" security at TBIT ~6:30pm (I had checked in for QF at the counters upstairs, but came down after verifying the main security area up the escalators as being busy.)

I was the only one there and they had to start the conveyor belt for me.

NickP 1K

Thanks, looking to go through at around 5PM - will report back an update on lines when we go through on the connector. Hearing the morning with the early arrivals is the biggest problem right now

mrkymark

Sorry all, I've tried to read all the responses in this thread but nothing really summarizes what I'm looking for. My first time flying into LAX on AA from an international origin. Wondering if peeps can help.
1. So the plane arriving from GRU parks at a Terminal 4 gate but a bus comes and takes you to TBIT to clear CBP? Is this bus thing true of every AA flight arriving from an international origin?
2. So then you exit TBIT CBP and there is a dedicated TSA security for recently cleared CBP folks if you want to reenter the secured airside TBIT or is it just a general TSA line for everyone?
3. And as I understand it there is no pre-check at TBIT.
4. Depending on the length of the TSA line you make a decision to re-enter TBIT there or walk to T4 from the outside and re-enter airside there, where there is pre-check.

Thanks in advance for all the clarification.

jtav559

1. No, your plane will park at TBIT (structure proper or a satellite gate and then bus you to TBIT) and you will clear CBP at TBIT. No T4 involvement, barring other circumstances beyond the norm.

2. Sort of. The general TSA line at TBIT is for the main departures area. And then there is the one for those transiting to T4 via the new walkway. But yes, there are 2 security options at TBIT for INTL arrival, post-CBP.

3. Not sure, there was a report some time back of a modified procedure Pre check at TBIT in the main departures line. Someone else can confirm those details.

4. Yes.

NickP 1K

Sorry, not what I've seen - unless GRU is different.


You will park at T4, NO BUSES unless you are a remote International Gate on the West end of the airport
- For AA a remote gate on west end right now is RARE.

Once you park at T4 you are walked into the secure passageway to T4 CBP - this is NOW OPEN (unless from GRU the hours are limited) They will do processing there - which is quicker than TBIT
- if you have NO BAGS - you can exit in T4. If you have bags then then you walk in the secure corridor INTO TBIT. Once you enter TBIT there are checkers there making sure you did immigration at T4 - if you did then you get a bypass door to skip TBIT immigration and end up in the bag claim where you will clear customs and they will notice your T4 stamped arrival card (or Global Entry printout) if you don't have those then they will ask you to walk forward and get processed in TBIT for immigration.

You get bags at TBIT, walk out of the exit in TBIT for connecting pax after Customs, use the T4/TBIT connector TSA checkpoint. NO TSA Pre-Check, NO Elite line. Though as others have mentioned the AM block of arrivals (e.g. Australia multiple flights, etc) can cause that connecting T4/TBIT connector TSA checkpoint to be busy. If you have PreCheck and that area on the connector is busy, back track and walk to T4 - 5 min walk and go up one level and then go to the PreCheck entrance on the far end of T4 away from TBIT

To be clear, the entrance to the CBP checkpoint in the connector is accessible to anyone - it's to the far right of the public area you enter once leaving customs. There is a connecting walkway as you leave customs (to the right) or if staying in LA (to the left) - you need to take the one to the right if connecting bags as there is a bag drop off belt their - Both will eventually exit into the public area of arrivals

Kumulani

You could arrive into either T4 or TBIT. The arrival procedures for both are summarized above. If you exit to the TBIT arrivals area (either because your plane parked at TBIT, or your plane parked at T4 and you walked over because you had bags) you then choose to either use the TBIT connector checkpoint, or walk to T4. T4 has a dedicated Precheck lane, and the connector checkpoint has "Precheck lite" where you use the same lane as everyone else, and still need to take laptops and liquids out of your bag, but you get to leave your shoes on and use the metal detector instead of the body scanner.

Unless the connector checkpoint was really busy I would personally just use that.

mrkymark

Thanks all above for the experienced answers. That is quite complicated.
I think all this information deserves a Wiki post/sticky edit.
I'll try to summarize/edit it all later when I have time unless someone gets to it first.
Thanks again.

NickP 1K

It's a bit messy, in any case you will get bags and clear customs in TBIT if you have bags. If the GRU flight arrives in T4 and you have no bags you can fully clear in T4 and exit there. If you have bags and arrive in T4 you can clear in T4 for JUST immigration and go to TBIT and skip immigration there and just do bags/customs.

The only time busses are ever in play now is the Remote West Intl gates which AA rarely ever sees use of these days. The connector from T4 to TBIT for ARRIVALS pre customs exit, opened last year so that made things easier.