LAX Terminal 7 place to meet?
 

Sorry to bug you all but I could sure use help. We are meeting friends to go to Disneyland and we are flying from Tokyo on United and will land at terminal 7 they are domestic on Alaska Airlines. We land almost the same time but I realize we have to clear customs. Is there an easy place that we could meet? Sorry but we don't have a cell phone and have never been to LAX before.
Any help is sure appreciated! Of course we leave tomorrow so that makes it even more interesting. THANK YOU! :)

Since customs is the variable and may take a while.....you could simply agree to meet outside international arrivals, downstairs T7.

Or, if both of you might want to sit and catch your breath after the in-coming flights, meet at Encounter, the restaurant at the center of LAX -- quite a nice view from about 150 feet high. A 3-min walk from T7 and from the US terminal.

Or, if you think the schedules might not mesh, take a hotel shuttle to a hotel nearby and meet in the lobby or restaurant.

Since you have to clear immigration and friends are coming in at same time it be best if they come over to Terminal 7 to meet you. They will arrive in Terminal 3 and can take the interterminal bus to Terminal 7 and meet you in baggage claim, lower level. Enjoy your visit.

Also the readers of our active Travel->Los Angeles forum may also have some tips. Let me move this there. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

Previously mentioned Megabus seems to have pulled out of everywhere west of the Mississippi.

Another option- Karmel Shuttle is used by my employer and they are very good. Take one from LAX to "East Irvine", where you can catch Amtrak to San Diego. That's probably the lowest fare for the distance...you could also take Karmel to D'land connecting to another bus, or to the Anaheim Amtrak station.

I would meet just outside TBIT--that is where you probably will come in and is not too bad a walk from AS.

I would be very surprised if you didn't come into Terminal 7 (or maybe 6) if you are are UAL hardware.

LAX Term 7 help with where to meet someone
 

So I want to catch up with a high school buddy of mine en route to Australia (inbound from IAD); have a 2hr 50min layover so ought to have 45 minutes to grab a drink or something.

But it looks like there's nothing pre-security at LAX. Suggestions for alternatives? My friend suggested the thing in the middle (think the old tower) but wasn't sure if it was open.

Any LAX area Flyertalk people have ideas? (I'm not Star Gold until after this trip).

Let me move this to our Travel->L.A. forum where LAX issues are discussed. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, United forum.

The Encounters Restaurant in the Theme Building (the Jetsons-like thing in the middle of LAX) is indeed open and a good choice. There's also the Daily Grill in the Bradley International Terminal. Off-site, there are a number of hotels with free shuttles, but I'd probably just do the simple thing, which is Encounters.

OK - good to know Encounters is open now. I'm headed through on Monday night.

My follow up question pertains to typical security clearance time at LAX Term 7 on Monday nights. I've had mixed experiences at LAX - from 2 1/2 hours on a Friday morning in Terminal 4, to 10 minutes on a Wednesday night in Terminal 5, to an hour in TBIT a few years ago for Qantas.

For people who have done the LAX to SYD flight on United recently (839 I think) (I really wish actually the mod hadn't moved this, but on the other hand perhaps i should have posted both questions simultaneously) how long does it take you to clear?

Do you have any sort of United/Star Alliance status? If yes you can go through the UA elite line which is actually in Terminal 6. That generally moves pretty quick.

I didn't, but I will after this trip. I ended up getting VDB'd off the flight and an upgrade to Business for the next day, and used the express line in terminal 6 the next day (and the lounge). You're right it was fast.

If your are planning on being at LAX on a weekday between 6am and 3pm, consider paying a visit to the City Deli.

It is located in the same building as the Encounters restaurant. To reach it, go the the base of the theme building. At the front, you will see the glass entrance to Encounters. Instead of entering it, turn right and go around the building and find the solid blue door with a small window (which is to the right of and past the HMS Host Human Resources offices). Enter the doors, hang left, and enter the door at the end of the hallway. It is kinda hard to find it since there are no signs that indicate it's location.

This deli is popular with both flight crews as well as airport employees. I usually go there for lunch just to drool over the throng of stewardesses. :):p

What time of day? Encounter (http://www.encounterlax.com/encounter_cocktails.html) is open for lunch every day, but for dinner only Thursday through Sunday. It's not the easiest place to get to (last time I went we had to walk through a parking structure or two, but probably just didn't pick the best route; if you meet your friend in the UA Terminal (#7), just ask directions). I think it would be closer than the Bradley Termnal. It could take 20 minutes or more for him to get off his flight (lots of people take huge carry-on bags these days, so it takes longer) and out to the public area, and should be back at the terminal at least an hour before his flight, so you'll have to walk quickly over to Encounter (or anyplace else) and grab a drink. Don't dawdle. If the Encounter isn't open, then the food court over at the Bradley Terminal is an option outside of security. I can't remembeer seeing places outside security in other terminals but they may exist. You can ask while you wait for your friend. http://www.ifly.com/los-angeles-inte...t/shops-stores lists a "Java Java" (which they list as a "bar") outside security in Terminal 6. Since United seems to use both Termnals 6 and 7, be sure what terminals your friend arrives and leaves from.