Last edit by: JDiver
For the current thread, please see here.
NOTE: AA uses Terminals 4 and 5, the remote “Eagle’s Nest” and some gates at TBIT
Link to Los Angeles World Airports' LAX Airport website
NOTE: LAX is always undergoing changes; be aware the information herein may change. See here for LAWA notices affecting passengers.
Link LAWA / LAX FAQ page.
Link to aa.com
Link to 14 Feb 2017 post with AA-AA Minimum Times Times
NOTE: The Admirals Club® lounge and Flagship Lounge in Terminal 4 at Los Angeles International (LAX) are under renovations.
Special notice
AA operate from multiple terminals at LAX. Check in at Terminal 5, east end (Gates 50-59, including Remote American Eagle terminal, gates 52A-J) or Terminal 4 (Gates 40-49, 110-159). (As of 31 Jan 2017)
NOTE: the 100s gates are at the Tom Bradley International Air Terminal (aka Terminal B), accessible to / from Terminal 4 by the airside connector if you are already airside and security cleared.
[AA T-6 ops moved to T-5; other airline positioning to occur 12, 14 and 16 May 2017[/B]
Check-in times as of March 2016 Link
In most locations, you must be checked in:
At least 45 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights within the United States
At least 60 minutes before scheduled departure, for flights to or from airports outside of the United States. Some non-US require more.
If you are checking in with baggage to check at T-4, not T-5, and flying American Eagle from the remote "Eagle's Nest" 52A-J gates (31 Jan 2017 and after), you must check in 90 minutes prior to departure.
LAYOUT: LAX is like a letter "U" on its side, open end facing right. The Tom Bradley International Terminal is the bar of the "U" facing left, on the west side. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 on the north and 4 - 8 on the south. Entering the semicircular, counter-clockwise roadway serving the terminals, you will pass terminals 1, 2, 3, TBIT, 4, 5, 6, etc. There is quite a bit of construction going on and the airport roadways can get quite congested.
MCT: Though international to International or Domestic Minimum Connect Times (MCT) are listed as 2:00, arriving at the remote western 200 pads and gates (served by busses from the terminals), connecting between T4, T6, Remote Eagle terminal and TBIT, not to mention lengthy USCBP queues and the need to proceed landslide to connecting terminals and processing security may make 2:00 unrealistic at times. MCT Domestic to Domestic or International is often 0:40, but this may be unrealistic if connecting American Eagle remote terminal 52A-J and a domestic flight at TBIT, for example.
Operating terminals and gates
Terminal 4: AA primarily uses Terminal 4, Gates 40-49 but now also uses Terminal 5 (50-59, 52A-I remote Eagle gates and TBIT (110-159). Flagship Checkin, Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge are all in T-4.
Tom Bradley International Terminal ("100") gates 110-159 for domestic and international flights, with no particular flight assignment - check your gates information.
oneworld Business and Qantas First lounges in TBIT for qualified passengers. See LOUNGE DASHBOARD for further information - link.
Occasionally, the "200 gates" remote pads (bus from T-4) may be used. Terminal 4 and TBIT are connected airside by a new connector. Qualified travelers may use the TBIT oneworld Business or Qantas First lounges. See separate thread.
Terminal 5 AS OF Tue 31 Jan 2017: Legacy US flights operate from Terminal 5, gates 50 - 59. It is best to check in for American Eagle flights at T-5. Airside connection exists, as well as shuttles. Bus port at T-5 is at gate 52. American Eagle checked baggage is delivered to Terminal 5 baggage carousels; Eagle remote gates are now numbered 52A-J.
Terminal 6: Alaska Airlines flights operate from Terminal 6.
Legacy US flights operated from Terminal 6 until 31 Jan 2017; AA no longer operates out of Terminal 6.
American Eagle Remote Terminal "Eagle's Nest": Regional flights operate at a remote terminal served frequently by airside shuttle busses from bus gates 44 and 60. The remote American Eagle terminal gate numeration has changed: "May 16 2016 the remote gates at LAX formerly 44 A-J were renumbered to 60 A-J." There is a "junior" Admirals Club here. Preferred Eagle check in and baggage carousels are in T-5?
While you may check in at T-4 for American Eagle, those with baggage to check must do so no less than 90 minutes prior to departure. The preferred baggage check deadline is in place at T-5 for American Eagle.
Walking Interterminal - Landside
Note: You can walk airside between Terminal 4 and TBIT as of 25 Feb 2016. See LAX Terminal 4 - Tom Bradley Intl Terminal Secure Connector), and on to T-5 via a corridor (ground floor, by bus gate 44).
One can also walk landside between terminals on upper or lower walkway sidewalks just outside the roadway. Lower walkways are protected from the weather, upper walkways are not. Distances can be short (T-4 <-> TBIT) or long (20 minutes or less in all cases, and there are crosswalks and walkways serving north and south terminals. See north - south blue corridors in Ground Transport map, above; walkways parallel them.
For access to the Tom Bradley International Terminal ("TBIT") one may also proceed landslide and walk a short distance, or take the counter clockwise landside courtesy airport shuttle bus.
Originally Posted by QueenOfCoach
Here is a graphic I made from a Google Earth Streetview screenshot that shows how close T4 is to TBIT. It's a two-minute walk. One minute if you are fast.
Airside - Shuttle Bus or Walking
Airside shuttle busses:
NO BUS T-4 <-> T-5 (faster to walk pedestrian tunnel)
T-4 <-> Remote Eagle terminal (most efficient and frequent)
T-5 <-> Remote Eagle terminal (more frequent than from / to T-4)
Terminals 4 and 5: A courtesy shuttle bus operates airside between Terminal 4, ex-gate 44 bus gate, and Terminal 6 gate 60-62 through Mon 30 Jan 2017 - afterwards, Terminal gate 52, every fifteen minutes between 05:00 and 23:00; ongoing boarding pass required. At other times one either take the airside corridor T-5 Tue 31 Jan and after <-> T-4 or exit landslide and walk or take the counter-clockwise landslide courtesy shuttle bus.
American Eagle Remote Terminal: A courtesy shuttle bus serves the American Eagle remote terminal from Terminal 5, gate 52. Note: American Eagle checked baggage is delivered to Terminal 5 baggage carousels. Another shuttle runs from Terminal 4, gate 44 bus gate. A boarding pass to Gate 52A-I is required. This is the sole way of reaching these gates (other than Five Star Service passengers, who are shuttled via the Tarmac in Cadillac SUVs).
Terminal 4 - TBIT: The new pedestrian airside connector opened 25 Feb 2015. Qantas and AA passengers departing the TBIT can check in at Terminal 4, process airside, use Admirals or Flagship lounges T-4 <-> TBIT shuttles apparently ended when the airside connector open 25 Feb 2016[/hl].
Walk Terminals 4 and 5: One can walk airside using the Terminal 4 - 5 - 6 connector.
Walk Terminal 4 - TBIT airside connector: An airside connector leading to TBIT is open effective 25 Feb 2016. See here (FT) for more.
Getting from terminal to terminal, concourse to concourse, landside
Landside courtesy airport shuttle bus
- "A" line buses: Transports passengers between terminals. "A" route operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and runs every 10 minutes (counter clockwise)
- "C" line buses: Transports passengers to and from Parking Lot C. Travelers can walk to the LAX City Bus Center from Lot C. "C" route operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and runs every 10 to 15 minutes.
- "G" line busses: Transports passengers with a valid TAP card to and from the Metro Green Line Aviation Station. Service is aligned with the rail schedule. To view, please go to www.metro.net . Click here for Green line Boarding Procedures (PDF document). TAP card is not required when taking the G Bus from LAX to the Aviation Metro Station.
- Use this link for a real time map display of shuttle bus locations and movements.
- Rental car company busses: transport passengers between terminals and car rental facilities.
Ground Transportation stops / pickups at LAX
NOTE: Rental, hotel shuttle, Über, etc. stops are in front of each terminal on the arrivals / lower level at the island crossing the first lanes of traffic.
Security at LAX
Link to FlyerGuide information on LAX T-4 Security.
TSA PreCheck: Yes (Terminal 4 upstairs, east; Terminal 5?)
Priority Access line in a Terminal 4 is accessed from the escalator on the left end (looking at the counters) of the terminal (furthest from TBIT, closest to terminal 5), next to the Priority Access check-in area. Often there is an AA worker at the bottom of the escalator making sure only Priority Access passengers go up this escalator. The First, Business and Priority Access lines now have their own screening room far from the economy area. This private room has multiple screening lines and during peak periods additional lines are opened up.
Security for (TBIT) international arrivals proceeding to Terminal 4 is open as of February 2017. When exiting TBIT customs and baggage recheck area, turn right immediately after the exit and proceed down the hallway to the checkpoint. No Pre-Check.
Check-in and ticketing at LAX and check in times Link
Flagship Check-in: YES Marked exclusive T-4 Flagship check-in entrance 4:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Five Star Service: YES
Priority and Preferred Access: YES
Curbside check-in: Yes. Terminal 4 only, including for international destinations.
Minimum time for checking in and arriving at the gate at LAX
Minimum time to check baggage
To help us get your bag on the same flight with you, present your bag to an airline representative for check-in no later than the cutoff time.
For flights within and between the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands:
- Check bags at least 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure at LAX
For flights originating in airports outside the U.S. or flights departing the U.S. for an international destination:
- Check bags at least 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure (90’ if checking for Eagle at T-4 instead of T-5)
Time to baggage delivery: expect 0:30 or more.
Ticket counter locations
Terminal 4: upon entry, Qantas to right; First and Priority Access to left; Main Cabin straight ahead.
Self-service check-in kiosks available.
Open Daily: 04:00 - 00:30 (4 am to midnight + 30)
Terminal 5, east side: OPEN Tue 31 Jan 2017
Open Daily: 4:30 AM - 12:30 AM
Terminal 6: CLOSE Tue 31 Jan 2017
Open Daily: 4:30 AM - 12:30 AM
If departing on American Eagle, suggested check-in at T-5 Tue 31 Jan 2017 or after.
Minimum and reasonable connection and check-in times at LAX
See 20 May 2016 ExpertFlyer MCT listings here: Q. What are minimum check-in time requirements at LAX?
AA requires arriving a minimum of 45 minutes prior to domestic departures if departing domestically (including Hawai'i, Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands) if one has no baggage to check; 60 minutes if one must check baggage; and two hours prior to international departures.
Additionally, AA requires passengers be checked in at least 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure at LAX and "Arrive at the gate and be ready to board at least 15 minutes prior to domestic departure" and 30 minutes prior to international departure. Gates close to boarding 10 minutes prior to departure.
Q. What is the domestic to domestic or domestic to international Minimum Connection Time (MCT)?
The minimum connect time at LAX, domestic to domestic or international, is 0:40 minutes. International to domestic or international MCT is 2:00, but as mentioned previously, this may be insufficient. Note: MCT is generally not waived for international passengers arriving from USCBP pre-clearance airports.
See AA domestic to international MCT from ExpertFlyer Nov 2016 c/o Serfty here.
Q. If I am making an international to international connection, what is the process?
There is no international transit process in nearly all airports in the USA (DFW and MIA have a baggage exception for international to international). Arriving internationally, unless you have been pre-cleared, you must proceed through U. S. immigration (there are kiosks and a fast channel for Global Entry approved passengers), recover your baggage from the baggage carousel and proceed through U. S. Customs.
Upon exiting Customs at TBIT there is a bag drop facility; drop your checked baggage, exit to the landside arrivals area. Pre-cleared passengers arriving at TBIT will bypass USCBP (but most airlines will enforce international to domestic MCT nonetheless).
ALL arrivals are forced landside (you may pass back through security at the TBIT end of the T-4 - TBIT connector) and Terminal 4 is a short walk to your right, Terminal 6 farther; one can board courtesy airport "A" busses and be dropped off very shortly at T-4 or T-5.
NOTE: Whilst most international Arrivals process immigration and customs at TBIT, some arriving at T-4 may walk a long underground passage and process formalities at TBIT. Others may process at T-4, but if you arrive with bags those will be available at TBIT.
There is no Arrivals Loinge for AA or oneworld customers at LAX.
Q. What is AA policy if I have separate tickets and my incoming flight is delayed?
Protection for oneworld world customers travelling on separate bookings:
oneworld Global Support
Your oneworld connection is generally not officially protected, but the airline may help you and put you on the next available flight, and AA does generally protect oneworld connections at this time..
If your flights are on the same PNR:
Your oneworld connection is generally not officially protected, but the airline may help you and put you on the next available flight, and AA does generally protect oneworld connections at this time..
If your flights are on the same PNR:
Connecting between airlines at unfamiliar airports can be a stressful experience, especially if your flight is delayed. American Airlines recognizes the impact delays and missed connections can have on your plans and on your life. That is why we partnered with the other oneworld member airlines to form teams of connection experts: oneworld Global Support.
At select airports across the oneworld alliance network, teams are proactively monitoring connecting flights and, whenever possible, they will meet and assist you if your connection is in jeopardy. The oneworld Global Support teams will do their best to allow you to use dedicated fast track lanes through immigration or security to help you catch your next flight. Our teams will also do everything possible to transfer your baggage so that it makes it on time to your final destination.
If you miss your connecting flight, the oneworld Global Support team will provide you with updated travel information, a new boarding pass and, where applicable, assistance with overnight accommodations.
oneworld Global Support is currently available at Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, Madrid-Barajas, Miami, New York JFK and Sydney. The service is offered at these airports whenever possible, subject to operational constraints.
At select airports across the oneworld alliance network, teams are proactively monitoring connecting flights and, whenever possible, they will meet and assist you if your connection is in jeopardy. The oneworld Global Support teams will do their best to allow you to use dedicated fast track lanes through immigration or security to help you catch your next flight. Our teams will also do everything possible to transfer your baggage so that it makes it on time to your final destination.
If you miss your connecting flight, the oneworld Global Support team will provide you with updated travel information, a new boarding pass and, where applicable, assistance with overnight accommodations.
oneworld Global Support is currently available at Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, Madrid-Barajas, Miami, New York JFK and Sydney. The service is offered at these airports whenever possible, subject to operational constraints.
Q. Can I check my baggage through?
If you're connecting within the oneworld alliance or airlines with an interline agreement and your connection is under eleven hours, all segments on the same PNR, probably. If over that or with separate PNRs (even within oneworld) airlines without an interline agreements with AA or on separate tickets connecting with non-oneworld airlines, no.
See oneworld not requiring protection or interline baggage 1 Jun 2016; AA policy.
Q. Is there baggage storage at LAX?
No. Since 9/11 most USA airports have eliminated baggage storage, but you can use a baggage storage firm that will pick up, store and return your baggage. You do not have to pre-book, and they are open 24/7: http://www.laxluggagestorage.com. There are $5 pickup, $5 return and storage charges.
WiFi at LAX:
"Internet Access at Los Angeles LAX Airport. LAX Airport offers free internet access, with paid upgrades: Free Wi-Fi service for up to 44 minutes is available in most of the public areas of the Airport - provided by Advanced Wireless Group."
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ARCHIVE: 2015-2017 GUIDE: LAX / Los Angeles Int’l. Airport - MCT, Connection, etc.
#692
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: DFW/PHL
Programs: US CP, UA *G; SPG Plat, Hilton Gold; Natl Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 623
I've been to LAX many times, but it was always my destination; never had to transfer.
In October we'll be traveling JFK - SYD via LAX. Flights 133 and 73 outbound and 72 and 2 back home.
For today and tomorrow at least, aa.com is showing all flights departing and arriving at T4, not TBIT. Is that typical? Do 72 and 73 ever use TBIT?
aa.com also shows 72 as arriving T4, but "baggage: TBIT."
So what are the procedures? I'm assuming that outbound, AA checks bags through all the way to Sydney and we don't have to retrieve them at LAX, yes? So it's just essentially a "regular" connection and we don't have to do another security run at LAX even though we're leaving the US from there, as long as we stay airside. Is that right?
On returning, what is the procedure? Do we clear immigration at T4 and then go to TBIT to get the checked bags? Or do we do all the necessaries at TBIT?
Once we get the bags, is there a bag drop at TBIT? And then we proceed back to T4 for the flight to JFK?
In October we'll be traveling JFK - SYD via LAX. Flights 133 and 73 outbound and 72 and 2 back home.
For today and tomorrow at least, aa.com is showing all flights departing and arriving at T4, not TBIT. Is that typical? Do 72 and 73 ever use TBIT?
aa.com also shows 72 as arriving T4, but "baggage: TBIT."
So what are the procedures? I'm assuming that outbound, AA checks bags through all the way to Sydney and we don't have to retrieve them at LAX, yes? So it's just essentially a "regular" connection and we don't have to do another security run at LAX even though we're leaving the US from there, as long as we stay airside. Is that right?
On returning, what is the procedure? Do we clear immigration at T4 and then go to TBIT to get the checked bags? Or do we do all the necessaries at TBIT?
Once we get the bags, is there a bag drop at TBIT? And then we proceed back to T4 for the flight to JFK?
#693
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,407
I've been to LAX many times, but it was always my destination; never had to transfer.
In October we'll be traveling JFK - SYD via LAX. Flights 133 and 73 outbound and 72 and 2 back home.
For today and tomorrow at least, aa.com is showing all flights departing and arriving at T4, not TBIT. Is that typical? Do 72 and 73 ever use TBIT?
aa.com also shows 72 as arriving T4, but "baggage: TBIT."
So what are the procedures? I'm assuming that outbound, AA checks bags through all the way to Sydney and we don't have to retrieve them at LAX, yes? So it's just essentially a "regular" connection and we don't have to do another security run at LAX even though we're leaving the US from there, as long as we stay airside. Is that right?
On returning, what is the procedure? Do we clear immigration at T4 and then go to TBIT to get the checked bags? Or do we do all the necessaries at TBIT?
Once we get the bags, is there a bag drop at TBIT? And then we proceed back to T4 for the flight to JFK?
In October we'll be traveling JFK - SYD via LAX. Flights 133 and 73 outbound and 72 and 2 back home.
For today and tomorrow at least, aa.com is showing all flights departing and arriving at T4, not TBIT. Is that typical? Do 72 and 73 ever use TBIT?
aa.com also shows 72 as arriving T4, but "baggage: TBIT."
So what are the procedures? I'm assuming that outbound, AA checks bags through all the way to Sydney and we don't have to retrieve them at LAX, yes? So it's just essentially a "regular" connection and we don't have to do another security run at LAX even though we're leaving the US from there, as long as we stay airside. Is that right?
On returning, what is the procedure? Do we clear immigration at T4 and then go to TBIT to get the checked bags? Or do we do all the necessaries at TBIT?
Once we get the bags, is there a bag drop at TBIT? And then we proceed back to T4 for the flight to JFK?
2. Outbound is a normal AA connection so you don't need to worry about bags or immigration (US doesn't have outbound immigration control).
3. Inbound arrival has several possibilities:
Read page 22 of this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...2016-a-22.html
I'm just throwing caution to the wind here... not all int'l arrival to T4 has direct access to T4/TBIT FIS. Only Gate 41 and 43 have direct access.
If you are arriving from GRU, you are probably on a 777 so you will probably use gate 41, 43. If so, then the previous 15 or so post will apply... you can walk to T4 FIS and clear there from 41 or 43, then proceed to TBIT custom area (or T4 landside). If you are arriving from Mexico in a narrow body jet, you may get assigned to a different T4 gate, in which case, you will be bused to TBIT FIS.
So to recap - these are the 4 possible outcome for AA int'l arrival at LAX as of April 2017:
1. T4 gate 41 or 43 arrival - sterile walkway to T4 FIS (or TBIT FIS if arrived at late night or early morning).
1a. If no checked bags, you can exit FIS directly to the T4/TBIT connector and re-clear TSA.
1b. If you have checked bags, you have to proceed to TBIT custom. Before leaving the secured area, there is a luggage re-check station to drop off bags if it is tagged to the final destinaiton. Exit TBIT to landside and turn right to clear TSA to T4 connector, or walk to another terminal.
2. TBIT arrival - sterile walkway to TBIT FIS, then TBIT custom. No way to bypass TBIT custom. Before leaving the secured area, there is a luggage re-check station to drop off bags if it is tagged to the final destinaiton. Exit TBIT to landside and turn right to clear TSA to T4 connector, or walk to another terminal.
3. T4 non-41 or 43 gates arrival - Bus to TBIT FIS, then TBIT custom.
4. Remote hard stand arrival - Bus to TBIT FIS, then TBIT custom.
If you are arriving from GRU, you are probably on a 777 so you will probably use gate 41, 43. If so, then the previous 15 or so post will apply... you can walk to T4 FIS and clear there from 41 or 43, then proceed to TBIT custom area (or T4 landside). If you are arriving from Mexico in a narrow body jet, you may get assigned to a different T4 gate, in which case, you will be bused to TBIT FIS.
So to recap - these are the 4 possible outcome for AA int'l arrival at LAX as of April 2017:
1. T4 gate 41 or 43 arrival - sterile walkway to T4 FIS (or TBIT FIS if arrived at late night or early morning).
1a. If no checked bags, you can exit FIS directly to the T4/TBIT connector and re-clear TSA.
1b. If you have checked bags, you have to proceed to TBIT custom. Before leaving the secured area, there is a luggage re-check station to drop off bags if it is tagged to the final destinaiton. Exit TBIT to landside and turn right to clear TSA to T4 connector, or walk to another terminal.
2. TBIT arrival - sterile walkway to TBIT FIS, then TBIT custom. No way to bypass TBIT custom. Before leaving the secured area, there is a luggage re-check station to drop off bags if it is tagged to the final destinaiton. Exit TBIT to landside and turn right to clear TSA to T4 connector, or walk to another terminal.
3. T4 non-41 or 43 gates arrival - Bus to TBIT FIS, then TBIT custom.
4. Remote hard stand arrival - Bus to TBIT FIS, then TBIT custom.
The thread I link above also has very detailed info on which TSA stations you can use to access T4 for your onward connection to JFK.
Last edited by bzcat; Jun 6, 2017 at 12:14 pm
#694
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: AA
Posts: 104
Thanks.
We will definitely have checked bags, so it looks like whether we land at T4 or TBIT, we'll head to TBIT customs. The only difference being that if we land at T4 we'll do immigration there and then go to TBIT for customs; if we land at TBIT, we'll do both in TBIT.
After customs, we'll drop off the bags at the re-check station, and then we'll have to clear TSA.
From what I could suss from the other thread, it looks like we actually have 2 options there: 1). Use the TBIT-T4 "connector" TSA checkpoint, or exit TBIT entirely and walk to T4 outside and use the regular T4 security lines.
I would guess the only reason to do the latter would be if the line at the connector TSA point looks unreasonably long. I wonder if anyone here could tell me what "reasonable" is for that checkpoint at the time of the morning when all the Aussie-US flights land (and I assume some Asia-US flights as well). Is it ever better to just walk to T4 and use them instead?
One other curiosity (to me) from the other thread: describing the T4 connector checkpoint, a poster wrote: "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." I have pre-check but my spouse does not; does the "precheck lite" at the connector apply to everyone, or just those with pre-check? And would you even have pre-check on your boarding pass for the LAX-JFK leg of a SYD-LAX-JFK ticket?
We will definitely have checked bags, so it looks like whether we land at T4 or TBIT, we'll head to TBIT customs. The only difference being that if we land at T4 we'll do immigration there and then go to TBIT for customs; if we land at TBIT, we'll do both in TBIT.
After customs, we'll drop off the bags at the re-check station, and then we'll have to clear TSA.
From what I could suss from the other thread, it looks like we actually have 2 options there: 1). Use the TBIT-T4 "connector" TSA checkpoint, or exit TBIT entirely and walk to T4 outside and use the regular T4 security lines.
I would guess the only reason to do the latter would be if the line at the connector TSA point looks unreasonably long. I wonder if anyone here could tell me what "reasonable" is for that checkpoint at the time of the morning when all the Aussie-US flights land (and I assume some Asia-US flights as well). Is it ever better to just walk to T4 and use them instead?
One other curiosity (to me) from the other thread: describing the T4 connector checkpoint, a poster wrote: "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." I have pre-check but my spouse does not; does the "precheck lite" at the connector apply to everyone, or just those with pre-check? And would you even have pre-check on your boarding pass for the LAX-JFK leg of a SYD-LAX-JFK ticket?
#695
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: Double OWE (AA EXP, QF Plat), FI Gold
Posts: 1,887
One other curiosity (to me) from the other thread: describing the T4 connector checkpoint, a poster wrote: "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." I have pre-check but my spouse does not; does the "precheck lite" at the connector apply to everyone, or just those with pre-check? And would you even have pre-check on your boarding pass for the LAX-JFK leg of a SYD-LAX-JFK ticket?
#696
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,646
No.
I think it is much better just to go through security at the TBIT-T4 connector, much less crowded, IME.
I find security at T4 proper aggravating most of the time.
if LAX-JFK is on AA and you are eligible for Pre-check you will certainly get Pre-check stamp on your boarding pass LAX-JFK. It does not matter what your first leg was.
If LAX-JFK is on Qantas, no, no precheck for anybody, Qantas is not part of the Precheck program.
I think it is much better just to go through security at the TBIT-T4 connector, much less crowded, IME.
I find security at T4 proper aggravating most of the time.
If LAX-JFK is on Qantas, no, no precheck for anybody, Qantas is not part of the Precheck program.
#697
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: AA
Posts: 104
Thanks. It's all AA metal (except for some internal-Aussie QF flights once we're there), so I guess I'll have the pre-check.
#698
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
If your wife is on the same record locator, she will likely also get Pre-Check. That seems to always be the case with my partner and I on one itinerary/record locator.
#699
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: AA
Posts: 104
It's a husband, but that's great to know. We are on the same record locator.
#700
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
Strictly speaking, Pre-Check only applies to the person that has it on their boarding pass. If a travel companion does not have Pre-Check on their boarding pass, they don't "inherit" it from their friend. However, many times Pre-Check is extended to companions on the same PNR, so your husband might luck out. You won't know until the day of travel.
I have Pre-Check with Global Entry. Never has my husband been given Pre-Check as my companion. Until he also got GE, he had to go through the full screening process, grumbling all the way.
Advance planning is good, but it can only go so far. You know your options, so you can make on-the-spot decisions.
#701
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,646
I have the same experience as QoC. Pre-check is not "inherited" as stated earlier above in my experience.
I have Global Entry and have always got precheck.
When traveling with my husband, he never got Precheck even though we were on the same itinerary/ record locator.
There were occasions when he was invited to go through Pre-check (even though BP had no precheck stamp) just as they were doing with other random passengers. But that had nothing to do with us traveling together since we were usually not next to each other as he got invited. And these occasions were rare (maybe once or twice that I remember of)
(Now he enrolled on Global Entry, so problem solved )
I have Global Entry and have always got precheck.
When traveling with my husband, he never got Precheck even though we were on the same itinerary/ record locator.
There were occasions when he was invited to go through Pre-check (even though BP had no precheck stamp) just as they were doing with other random passengers. But that had nothing to do with us traveling together since we were usually not next to each other as he got invited. And these occasions were rare (maybe once or twice that I remember of)
(Now he enrolled on Global Entry, so problem solved )
#702
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, DL, AS, UA, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,407
Thanks.
We will definitely have checked bags, so it looks like whether we land at T4 or TBIT, we'll head to TBIT customs. The only difference being that if we land at T4 we'll do immigration there and then go to TBIT for customs; if we land at TBIT, we'll do both in TBIT.
We will definitely have checked bags, so it looks like whether we land at T4 or TBIT, we'll head to TBIT customs. The only difference being that if we land at T4 we'll do immigration there and then go to TBIT for customs; if we land at TBIT, we'll do both in TBIT.
After customs, we'll drop off the bags at the re-check station, and then we'll have to clear TSA.
From what I could suss from the other thread, it looks like we actually have 2 options there: 1). Use the TBIT-T4 "connector" TSA checkpoint, or exit TBIT entirely and walk to T4 outside and use the regular T4 security lines.
I would guess the only reason to do the latter would be if the line at the connector TSA point looks unreasonably long. I wonder if anyone here could tell me what "reasonable" is for that checkpoint at the time of the morning when all the Aussie-US flights land (and I assume some Asia-US flights as well). Is it ever better to just walk to T4 and use them instead?
From what I could suss from the other thread, it looks like we actually have 2 options there: 1). Use the TBIT-T4 "connector" TSA checkpoint, or exit TBIT entirely and walk to T4 outside and use the regular T4 security lines.
I would guess the only reason to do the latter would be if the line at the connector TSA point looks unreasonably long. I wonder if anyone here could tell me what "reasonable" is for that checkpoint at the time of the morning when all the Aussie-US flights land (and I assume some Asia-US flights as well). Is it ever better to just walk to T4 and use them instead?
One other curiosity (to me) from the other thread: describing the T4 connector checkpoint, a poster wrote: "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." I have pre-check but my spouse does not; does the "precheck lite" at the connector apply to everyone, or just those with pre-check? And would you even have pre-check on your boarding pass for the LAX-JFK leg of a SYD-LAX-JFK ticket?
#703
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,546
all T4 international non-pre-cleared flights use Bradley for baggage claim & customs.
the former T4 immigrations area has been converted to a bay with electronic immigrations terminals which produce a receipt - take the receipt and walk to Bradley for expedited immigrations by handing receipt to agent, then normal baggage claim at Bradley, normal customs at Bradley.
with Global Entry, I always skip the T4 immigrations bay and head directly to Bradley immigrations to use the Global Entry terminals there.
the former T4 immigrations area has been converted to a bay with electronic immigrations terminals which produce a receipt - take the receipt and walk to Bradley for expedited immigrations by handing receipt to agent, then normal baggage claim at Bradley, normal customs at Bradley.
with Global Entry, I always skip the T4 immigrations bay and head directly to Bradley immigrations to use the Global Entry terminals there.
#704
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: AA
Posts: 104
the former T4 immigrations area has been converted to a bay with electronic immigrations terminals which produce a receipt - take the receipt and walk to Bradley for expedited immigrations by handing receipt to agent, then normal baggage claim at Bradley, normal customs at Bradley.
And I guess that means there is no T4 "connector" immigration area any more? (I guess I'm still a little confused between "TBIT immigration," "T4 immigration" and "connector area immigration.")
#705
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,546
that's a mess of a question.
the use of immigrations terminals by non e-passports has nothing to do with LAX.
in the whole of T4+Bradley, the only immigrations agents that admit you into the US are in the main Bradley immigrations hall.
the use of immigrations terminals by non e-passports has nothing to do with LAX.
in the whole of T4+Bradley, the only immigrations agents that admit you into the US are in the main Bradley immigrations hall.