LAX International Arrival & CBP clearance @TBIT
Nov 8, 2008, 3:21 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Ditto. It was a total pain to get all the way over to TBIT from T7, then walk through the under-construction portions, and then retrieve luggage. Also had to call my ride and have them scramble over to TBIT to pick me up.
Nov 8, 2008, 3:37 pm
#17
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
Even if they do bus you over, it always shows arrival at gate 74 because that's the gate the plane actually pulls into. People then are diverted outside onto stairs (even in the rain - been there done that a couple times) and have to then hike down to the busses.
Nov 8, 2008, 3:37 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SJC
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TBIT was packed with people mostly coming from other flights, the ICE guys were really rude and obnoxious, the line was long and slow, and it's a long walk back to T7/T8 for connections.
My biggest complaint about this process is that as they cram us onto the bus for transport to Bradley, it removes any of the experience from business or first class travel. They have the busses wait until filled with all classes of service and if you are the 1st off the plane, you may end up last in the customs line since they pack everyone in.
Nov 8, 2008, 3:40 pm
#19
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In this case, the LHR flight was actually early by almost 30 mins and we were still bussed to TBIT. My understanding from the service director is that the LHR flight now always comes into TBIT 
BTW. after the recent schedule change, this flight now leaves LHR 45 minutes later than previously. Maybe that's enough to cause the shift.
Once you get out of the customs hall, you can re-check bags, but it seems to be an all-airline re-check belt. There are no UA people there, so if you you are late and/or missed your connection you might be in trouble.
BTW. after the recent schedule change, this flight now leaves LHR 45 minutes later than previously. Maybe that's enough to cause the shift.
Can this really be the case? (I don't know one way or the other, just asking.) If so, what would that mean to someone connecting on in LAX with checked bags -- say, LHR-LAX-HNL or LHR-LAX-SAN? Do they have to lug all of their checked luggage from TBIT and walk down to T7?
Nov 8, 2008, 9:39 pm
#20
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I had the same thing happen on my FRA-LAX flight last month. It sucked, but really couldn't do anything about it. It was a huge pain, but fortunately TBIT was empty, so once i got off the bus, I was out in 10 minutes.
Nov 8, 2008, 9:41 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 2006
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I had to do it twice with the FRA-LAX...yeah kind of a pain....
Nov 8, 2008, 10:00 pm
#22
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This was posted about when the non-stop FRA-LAX service started earlier this year. It is a drag, but it is your US government wanting to save a shift of customs staff at the UA terminal, and a fairly hefty salary bill. It is a rational move since the costs would outweigh the benefits...and I would assume UA would have to pay the costs of this shift. It's a lot cheaper paying for a couple of buses.
Nov 8, 2008, 11:03 pm
#23
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Orangevale, CA USA
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Makes me wonder if I made a mistake in booking my First Class award tickets between SFO and LHR via LAX. There wasn't any availability on the direct SFO-LHR flight and since I wanted longer time in the International First Class rather than domestic decided to go via LAX instead of changing in the East. Now with the upcoming hassle on the LAX transfer makes me wonder if I made the wrong decision. I guess I wouldn't have much luck getting them to change my flights without paying a change fee though.
Nov 8, 2008, 11:21 pm
#24
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Dave, it is not that big of a deal....you should be fine.
Nov 9, 2008, 2:03 am
#25
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Makes me wonder if I made a mistake in booking my First Class award tickets between SFO and LHR via LAX. There wasn't any availability on the direct SFO-LHR flight and since I wanted longer time in the International First Class rather than domestic decided to go via LAX instead of changing in the East. Now with the upcoming hassle on the LAX transfer makes me wonder if I made the wrong decision. I guess I wouldn't have much luck getting them to change my flights without paying a change fee though.
Try Air New Zealand Business Class LAX-LHR and you even save some miles with better service !
Nov 9, 2008, 2:06 am
#26
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Nov 9, 2008, 3:43 am
#27
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FRA has always gone to TBIT but this news about LHR is very disappointing as the only reason to travel through LAX to SYD was UA's arrival arrangements which made it quick to get to the hotel for a shower en-route.
I am doing this in two weeks and if we're be bussed to TBIT that will be the last time.
US immigration at TBIT is slow and the staff substantially more agrressive, and more rude than the staff they used to have at T6.
FYI - the LHR-LAX late flight walks to TBIT also.
I am doing this in two weeks and if we're be bussed to TBIT that will be the last time.
US immigration at TBIT is slow and the staff substantially more agrressive, and more rude than the staff they used to have at T6.
FYI - the LHR-LAX late flight walks to TBIT also.
Nov 9, 2008, 4:00 am
#28
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What is your arrival time ?
Again, it is not tolerable to have these procedures in effect.
I would probably contact UA beforehand and ask them this question so they see people already care and consider to rebook on another carrier.
Nov 9, 2008, 8:40 am
#29
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Aside from the topic, few years ago, before the remodelled T1 open in NRT. Many UA flights were parked at the remote gate area as the satellite were too small to handle so many UA flights in NRT. Even if you fly F, no one will help you to carry your heavy carry-on downstairs from the planes, and you were bus in to the terminal, then come back out your connection plane is actually sitting next to plane you arrived, then you have to take that heavy carryon back upstairs onto the plane. By the time I got on the plane, I was so tired just ask if I can stow my luggage into the closet instead.
Nov 9, 2008, 8:43 am
#30
Join Date: Dec 2004
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This has been standard for some time. The imm./customs closes from T6 (UA) in the early afternoon so the later flights all need to go to Bradley terminal. Most flights (Asia) arrive in the morning so either UA or govt is saving $. I don't think TB customs is too bad unless you get a big flight arriving just before you; of course it helps to sit toward the front of the flight and to walk fast.... The airport improvements done recently have helped.