Checking Baggage When Tansfering Between Airlines
 

I will be flying IAH-LAX-SYD, changing from CO to QF in LAX. I was considering checking my bags IAH-LAX and again LAX-SYD. Am I being overly paranoid or would you do the same. I realize this will take some time in LAX since I will be changing terminals but I have a very long layover. Any thought/advice. Thanks, Keith.

I haven't made that connection before (usually it's AA to Air New Zealand), but you do have to change terminals, which when I was at LAX, you had to leave a secured area, walk around the airport & then clear security again. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif (if the situation at LAX has changed, please advise) Before I found the correct terminal, I wandered into one & just about died when I saw the security line.

LAX is shaped like a horseshoe, but it's not easy to just "cut across" to the other side. When you get to your new terminal, you would then have to stand in line to re-check your bag, then stand in a long security line again. Is your layover long enough to justify doing this?

DG

Check your bags through.

I have done the route twice this year and both times the bags went fine.

It is a 5 minute walk between terminals, but why wait for the bags, then drag them along. That is the airlines job!

mike

I have close to a 6 hour layover so not only do I have the time, it will give us something to do http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif . I'm meeting some friends so the layover will be OK. I just hate to get to SYD and not have any lugguge. I will probably check the bags through at IAH.

iwant: I was wrestling with the same question since our IAH-LAX-SYD trip is coming up as well. We are probably going to check our bags in IAH all the way through to avoid the LAX chaos that has been accurately described. Even though we have a long layover like you do, we're going to give CO and QF the benefit of the doubt and meet some friends for dinner while we are in LAX. Enjoy your trip!

Agreed, check the bags through. I've done the CO to QF transfer at LAX, and you'll be fine. Enjoy the QF flight! Have a VB for me!