sinthetiq

I've worked for TSA (at TBIT) since August (Swing Shift). Let me know which day you intend on traveling through TBIT and I can give you a general idea as to what your estimated time would be. Since TBIT has two checkpoints and 12 CTX (Baggage) checking areas, you probably won't encounter any problems if your flight is at 8pm.

...If you're running late -- for whatever reason, I have seen airline employees making an conscientious effort in expediting passengers through security (whether it be through baggage or passenger screening).

USDHS1984 -- the only times I have witnessed lines (for the checkpt) extend out to other terminals is during extraordinary conditions (such as one checkpt being shutdown, flight delayed resulting in the re-screening of an entire flight, etc.)

In any case, I'd be glad to hear your experience through Tom Bradley since I am quite familiar with the TSA personnel during the time you are expected to fly out.

USDHS1984

Yea, I never have any significant issues with TBIT security. Since I travel allot I do have some gripes with TSA in general and there are some other airports that are just complete debacles but TBIT seems to do a professional job so I will give credit where credit is due. The security lines extending all the way through the check in hall, out the front door, and down the sidewalk phenomenon would have probable been at least three years ago during some silly "terror alert" coinciding with a peak holiday. Same time the national guard had troops and a humvee parked out front. But trust me, when you arrive to check in and discover that the line down the sidewalk is the security line, that is something you do not forget. But nothing like that has happened for a long time and TSA at TBIT is doing a good job in my book.

back seat

Does LAX have a fast track for airline status members?

number_6

This varies by terminal. The terminal in the orignal question, TBIT, does not (but airline staff often escort F pax through security, creating an ah hoc priority lane). T4 has a dedicated priority lane (F/J/status pax). T3 does not. T2 sometimes does, sometimes doesn't. T1 does not. No idea about T5-T7 lately, but they should have it (DL/CO/UA). However sometimes the priority lane can still take 30 minutes due to the extreme hubbing nature of LAX flight scheduling. The rest of the time it is 2 minutes.

Liphotoman

We'll be coming in to LAX from Tahiti & then changing planes to get to JFK. Will our luggage get checked through to JFK, or will we have to retrieve it in LAX & then check it in again to JFK?

Seems like we should have to get our luggage, since we;ll be ending our trip in NY via a Domestic flight, not International. SO arriving in JFK we wil not be going through customs.

HOWEVER, when I asked the rep at AA, I was told the luggage would get checked straight through. I am doubtful that the information is correct.

Likewise, going to LAX from JFK, will we be able to check luggage all the way through, or have to retrieve in LAX & check in for the 2nd flight?
__________________

Rejuvenated

Which airline are you flying on the international portion? On the return your bags can be tagged to JFK but you will still have to retrieve them in LAX and re-check them in.

Liphotoman

Flying ATN to LAX, then AA to JFK. And vice-versa.
Not sure what good Tagging is if I have to retrieve them & then recheck them. DO I have to leave the airport to do this, or is there a direct route from baggae claim through customs & then to check-in in the other terminal?

What a pain! Wish the direct NY - PPT flight was on a day I'll be travelling.

Rejuvenated

Point is you would have to retrieve and take your luggage to customs at LAX as it is the designated first point of entry in your routing. Not sure what the baggage agreement is between TN & AA, but in many cases you would carry your luggage to a transfer desk and they'll take care of it from there on since it is tagged and they have the information to track it.

IceTrojan

AA and TN do interline, so in Tahiti make sure your bags are tagged all the way through to JFK. Then at LAX, you claim your bags, go through customs, then drop off your bags again at the transfer belt/conveyor.... no need to actually interact with anyone.

Finally, you walk with ease to T4 which is right next door to TBIT (exit TBIT and turn right).

obscure2k

Please continue to follow in LAX forum
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Sunnyhere

Yes, it's a real bummer that, in the US, one has to drag their own luggage through customs, only to re-check it minutes later. FWIW, most airlines seem to understand this and make it as easy as possible. YMMV

kef0913

Yes, to reassure the OP. You do need to collect your bags to get through Customs, but you don't need to lug them over to T4 and re-clear security. You will drop them in TBIT and make the stroll to T4 without them.

dr freeze

Similar to OP, I will be arriving TN from PPT and then getting on a Horizon DH4 to get back to Reno. TN flight arrives LAX at 10:40 am.

What is the earliest Horizon flight I could consider? Thanks!

jtkauai

If it were me, I'd try for 1pm.

clauds

My sister is booked on Air Canada to travel from YYZ-LAX, arriving at 11:00on 5 Apr. She needs to connect to a Qantas flight (which was booked using AsiaMiles partner points) at 13:00 out of LAX to Sydney.

She is a first time flyer and I am very nervous about whether she will have time to make the connection. Is 2 hours going to be enough? Does anyone have any tips on how to help everything run smoothly for her?

Thanks,

Clauds