LAX lines
 

How is LAX in terms of domestic flights right now? How bad are the lines, the wait? I actually live in O.C., but I always fly international from LAX. I was thinking of flying out of John Wayne instead to avoid the hassles. what is it like to fly out of LAX domestically? Thanks

It is totally related to the terminal you are using and time of day. What airlines are you considering?

One of the worst is T1 because of WN. I avoid T1 like the plague (flying HP of course) and fly out of BUR when I know I'll be flying HP.

If you have status, at least on UA, you can use the Premier security line there. Thats saved me a bunch of time thats for sure. Not sure of the other airlines and if they have dedicated premier security lines.

Ditto others' sentiments - T1 is a mess - UA T6/7 can be hit or miss (status helps a lot - the security line there is a snaky drag) - AA T4 has been pretty good lately, and the status security line is a breeze

I'm averaging under 5 minutes from ticketing check-in to clearing security since March (when they seem to have improved things). But it really does vary a lot by terminal and time of day, it can take 2 hours at Southwest (which is always the worst for delays at LAX). Overall LAX is no worse than any other airport in the US, despite its fearsome reputation, and often better. The worst delays are at 6 am and midnight, times that might surprise you but logical given the flight schedules.

Have you tried LGB?
 

I usually fly AA out of LAX. Self service is speedy, the line through security can be long in the morning (8 am onwards). If you need to take a really early flight to the east coast, I noticed the lines are quite empty that early in the morning. However, each time I have flown out of LGB, no matter the time, self service has very few people in line and the longest security line I've been in was three people deep.