Anyone been through LAX recently?
Oct 4, 2013, 3:04 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2008
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I also arrived on AA137 last week, had the bus transfer and a tedious 2 hour wait in line going nowhere fast, with few desks manned. After a certain time threshold they call out passengers on particular flights and lead them over to the empty US desks for processing, which took just a few minutes.
Just FYI, the bus part only applies to AA arrivals into T4, where there is no dedicated US CBP facility, so their international passengers have to be bussed to TBIT next door where there obviously are such facilities.
Just FYI, the bus part only applies to AA arrivals into T4, where there is no dedicated US CBP facility, so their international passengers have to be bussed to TBIT next door where there obviously are such facilities.
Last edited by daftboy; Oct 4, 2013 at 4:29 am Reason: Sloppy grammar
Oct 4, 2013, 4:21 am
#17
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 645
Came in last week on BA 279. Was absolutely fine. In CW so off sharpish, but had an airbridge and immigration queue was about 5-10 mins. Hall empty.
I'd recommend this over the A380 (shock horror!) due to the quieter arrival time. But that could have been down to other factors.
TBIT is a bit of a state for departures too, by the way. Nothing to eat of note before security, so go up and get your Panda/whatever in. It looks as if it will be decent airside once all finished.
I'd recommend this over the A380 (shock horror!) due to the quieter arrival time. But that could have been down to other factors.
TBIT is a bit of a state for departures too, by the way. Nothing to eat of note before security, so go up and get your Panda/whatever in. It looks as if it will be decent airside once all finished.
Oct 4, 2013, 4:53 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Went through on the 1st September on BA283. About 70 minute wait at immigration.
I would recommend a bottle of water for the queue, as it was very warm!
I would recommend a bottle of water for the queue, as it was very warm!
Oct 4, 2013, 8:54 am
#20
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It can get really jammed. Last time I went through (May) immigration wasn't so bad, but the line for customs wrapped all the way around the baggage claim area. Took about 30 minutes to clear.
Much depends on plain luck of the draw in terms of when your flight arrives compared to others. If you get stuck behind two 747 loads arriving from Asia, it's going to be bad.
Much depends on plain luck of the draw in terms of when your flight arrives compared to others. If you get stuck behind two 747 loads arriving from Asia, it's going to be bad.
Oct 4, 2013, 9:57 am
#22
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There's a good US Government website detailing recent historical immigration wait times at US airports, at different times of the day. Try it out;
http://apps.cbp.gov/awt/
http://apps.cbp.gov/awt/
Still it's helpful to have some kind of reference, if only an average.
I haven't been through TBIT since May. As it happened on that arrival in the morning about 7 on a QF 380 there was no queue in immigration when I arrived but I have global entry so it's all irrelavent to me.
Oct 4, 2013, 10:27 am
#23
Join Date: Dec 2004
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I flew into LAX from Asia a few weeks ago. We landed around 5 P.M. The immigration lines were very short. But getting to the immigration area was a very long walk.
Also, I have Global Entry and they only had one or two terminals open. And the facilities between leaving the airplane and going through bag claim, etc were dirty, crowded and disorganized.
Also, I have Global Entry and they only had one or two terminals open. And the facilities between leaving the airplane and going through bag claim, etc were dirty, crowded and disorganized.
Oct 4, 2013, 10:53 am
#24
Join Date: May 2012
Location: AMS
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Into LAX last month, before the BA switch to A380, the last London flight came in behind a China South 380. Massive queues both at immigration and customs - more than 2 hours to clear. New terminal makes departure v relaxed, however. But the problem remains US officialdom, and lack of funding...
Oct 4, 2013, 12:28 pm
#25
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 110
I flew into LAX from Asia a few weeks ago. We landed around 5 P.M. The immigration lines were very short. But getting to the immigration area was a very long walk.
Also, I have Global Entry and they only had one or two terminals open. And the facilities between leaving the airplane and going through bag claim, etc were dirty, crowded and disorganized.
Also, I have Global Entry and they only had one or two terminals open. And the facilities between leaving the airplane and going through bag claim, etc were dirty, crowded and disorganized.
I recommend ff get GE.
Oct 4, 2013, 12:56 pm
#26
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I was on an AF A380. The bus sucks, especially since they use the Tokyo subway rush hour pushers to get an extra 20 people in after it's full.
Long lines but I have GE. The GE terminals are at the very last lines (17 if I remember correctly).
With government shutdown the lines may be longer for no valid reason as CBP isn't supposed to be furloughed.
Long lines but I have GE. The GE terminals are at the very last lines (17 if I remember correctly).
With government shutdown the lines may be longer for no valid reason as CBP isn't supposed to be furloughed.
Oct 4, 2013, 5:34 pm
#27
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Took another 15 minutes for them to clear so I could go through.
And then, to cap it all, another 15 minute queue to exit through customs.
Oct 4, 2013, 5:56 pm
#28
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: GLA
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Off the 269 on the upper deck on the 24th, into a queue with about 10 people in front and through in 20 odd mins. Short wait for the luggage then on to the next queue for customs and at the Avis depot before 2100.
Not great but not bad either.
JAT
Not great but not bad either.
JAT
Oct 4, 2013, 6:35 pm
#29
Join Date: Jan 2000
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I'm in LAX now, having just come off the BA283 on an A380. While taxiing the crew explained it takes up to 10 minutes to attach the air bridges. I was on the upper deck, and I think we were off first. Got an orange connecting pass, off to immigration, took around 10 minutes. Bags another 10 minutes, and now safely ensconced in the flagship lounge for my delayed flight to Vegas.
Oct 4, 2013, 10:54 pm
#30
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This is my third time traversing thru lax in 10 days. Thankfully each time either domestic - domestic or domestic - international. I recommend arriving in the states via HNL 
Security at TBIT for the international was very busy. In the 'priority' lane and the chap behind me was deeply concerned about missing his flight. Just as you approach the head of the queue half a dozen wheelchair users appear in front if you! Agents were apologetic stating very short staffed.
New departures terminal is looking really good - ending on a positive note!
Security at TBIT for the international was very busy. In the 'priority' lane and the chap behind me was deeply concerned about missing his flight. Just as you approach the head of the queue half a dozen wheelchair users appear in front if you! Agents were apologetic stating very short staffed.
New departures terminal is looking really good - ending on a positive note!