zrs70

I'm no apologist for the bussing, but TBIT or T6/7.... either way, you have to re-clear security.

1KPath

...and in this loyal passenger's opinion as well! When they started this nonsense last Winter, I switched to Air New Zealand...granted I was not able to use my SWUs to get into C but I am was able to book Premium Economy and was even op-upgraded a few times! I came back to United this past Spring but will probably go back to Air New Zealand unless I hear something from UA that changes my mind!

whakojacko

I dont know why UA doesnt have immigrations at ORD. Obviously they cannot fit them in the current B/C, but why the terminal was designed without the ability to add it is beyond me.

The thing with ORD is at least the train from t5 is expected and people build that into their schedule. Meanwhile people who were not expecting to be bussed to TBIT may find themselves with 30+ minutes less than they were expecting for connections, or that UA was expecting/allowing for their connections.

restlessinRNO

I personally did not find arriving at the ORD International Terminal a "deplorable experience". The train to the UA domestic terminal runs frequently and takes a few minutes only.

dgcpaphd

I agree that it is not a "deplorable" experience. However, it takes more than a "few minutes only." United is the last stop on the train after leaving CBP and sometimes the wait for the train can be more than five minutes. With carryons the train trip is not pleasant because the train is generally crowded.

Although I prefer ORD for returning to the U.S. and catching a United connection, the process is far better than going through TBIT. Nothing in connection with CBP can be as bad and disorganized at it is at TBIT.

DCAstudent

As does the United States.

milepig

+1 Global Entry rocks. I clear I/C at ORD in about 20 seconds.

andyh64000

I went through this ridiculous exercise yesterday arriving on UA935. Then those of us connecting on then had a mile walk though the LAX construction rubble to get back to United gates.

Boraxo

There are many good reasons to fly NZ - expecially in C - but I wouldn't base my choice on customs clearance. Personally I don't understand why anyone would take the early morning flight from London (I assume there is still an afternoon flight though I haven't checked). I can't stand losing precious sleep to get up before the crack of dawn to schlep out to the airport. But that's just me

The current state of TBIT makes IAD look good these days but I think LAX is still a pretty good place to arrive compared with some of the alternatives used by other carriers.

clayman

Sorry if this is covered in a different thread.

I avoided flying LHR-LAX earlier this year because of the TBIT immigration clearing; but it now sounds like the flight clears from the T6/T7 immigration facility. Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks in advance.

crazychicken

Oh dear! I am booked on UA935 (to LAX) and then UA83 (to HNL). Since I am a non-US citizen I might not make the connection then with all the ongoing chaos at LAX... Hope the queue at the transfer desk is not too long as otherwise I might even miss the rebooking onto UA935 to Honolulu...

By the way, what is the milage credit for the UA935? I remember that despite the stopover the milage is reduced and calculated as if it was a direct flight.

luv2ctheworld

So, any update you can disclose?

It's pretty cool that you actually got a response, AND they're interested in hearing you out.

Personally, I don't know what can possibly be said to UA management to convince them of spending $ to keep it open; I think they just look at the bottom line and not factor in lost business (and I wonder how they could even reliably measure that). The other issue I have (of an airside connection that runs through ALL of the terminals) is just a pipe dream with the LAWA.

TRIPLE-7

There is absolutely NO WAY that you are going to make your connection and in-fact getting to 935 @ LAX is going to be kinda close, with a 3 hr connection. But you can not make an 1 hour & 15 min connection going on a bus to Bradley, clearing immigration, then waiting for your bags & then customs and then hot footing it to term #6 to recheck bags and then security to make your flight to HNL.

Call res asap and tell them that you don't stand a chance, now that immigration and customs is closed in term #6 after noon--- 935 to 83 is listed as a legal connection, I know, but you need to become persistent and don't take NO for an answer.

As far as 935 connection screwing you out of miles--- If you get two separate boarding passes without a reboarding for the second segment you should get the max miles.
Anyway that's how it's worked for me for years to BKK.

But jump on this crappy connection thing you have been handed asap, and don't even think TRANSFER DESK again. Transfer Desk in this instance would be standing in line @ term #6 international departures to check your bags and try to get on #935 (stand-by) if it ain't sold out.

Good luck, and you are right about being a non-resident perhaps being slowed down in immigration, especially with every flight now being dumped into Bradley after 12:00 p.m.

You are going to meet resistance trying to change this itin, but when I called for the process being implemented, for same flight for Nov.7th, I was given an 888# to call at LAX for additional info, but that # was bogus.

Upgrade this to a supervisor if you need to, but you ARE NOT going to make this connection, and if by chance you do you're going to need mucho barf bags by the time you get to 83.

Be sure and tell them, over and over, if necessary that you purchased these flights before the immigration was changed to another location. Also, when I obtained my flights the connection times were not so close, but as you know, we have numerous schedule changes (about 7 or 8), every time reducing the time between flights @ LAX.

The res agent that you speak with isn't making this connection or a 99.9% chance of a non-connection and they don't care, believe me, if you make it or not, so keep that in mind.

Good luck!!!

HeadInTheClouds

Just a minor note - but can you not recheck UA bags @ TBIT anymore? I never had to haul my checked bags back to T7 in years of arriving from the (now defunct) MEX flight... but maybe things have changed?

TRIPLE-7

Whoa! This is the only part that I didn't quite get and the 1K desk didn't know either. Is there a person or place to drop off UAL specific bags at Bradley after customs? I don't know.
But my son who worked there years ago said that there used to be a generic type bag drop for all domestic airline connections and these bags had the most mis-connects than anywhere else at LAX.

With a handle and wheels, or rent a $4. cart, I think I would pull/push my bags thru the construction rubble and hand them directly to United. But then maybe there is a United bag guy with carts at Bradley. I don't know as this is a first for me.
__________________________________________________ ___
Additional--- 5th call to the 1K desk --- multiple answers---
"Yes sir, we definitely have someone at Bradley to take the bags provided they were checked through to the final destination".
Asked her if it was a contract person or a UAL employee---
This is a first for me and took me by complete surprise---
answer--- "I don't know, Sir"!

_____________________________________________

6th call to the 1K desk, this time for crazychicken---

I specifically asked about the added inconvenience, and acted as though it was me doing this connection from 935 to 83. I was told, under no uncertain terms, that everyone else does it, AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS, and unless I wanted to pay a change fee plus the potential difference in fares, I'm screwed.
How do ya like that?
Kind of drives ya CRAZY!!!
I'm telling you, this insensitive crap, and inability to be compassionate, and reasonable is starting to pi$$ me off, big time!