Sep 23, 2013, 11:34 am
Last edit by: Microwave
The current state of affairs for international arrivals at LAX is as under:
It is understood that PVG flights will be arriving directly to TBIT.
Due to on-going construction at Los Angeles International Airport, American’s operation will be affected over the course of the next year or more. For the foreseeable future, American’s international flight arrivals, with the exception of its Shanghai plane, will land and unload passengers at Terminal 4. The international passengers will then use nearby stairs to access the ramp where they will board busses and be transported to the new Federal Inspection Service facility at the new Thomas Bradley International Terminal. American’s Shanghai flight will arrive at TBIT. All of American’s international departures will remain at Terminal 4 for the near future.
American is working closely with Los Angeles Airport Authority officials to lessen the impact airport construction has on customers and airline employees. The construction projects are necessary to enhance our customer travel experience in the future. We appreciate everyone’s understanding.(Source; HT: gleff)
American is working closely with Los Angeles Airport Authority officials to lessen the impact airport construction has on customers and airline employees. The construction projects are necessary to enhance our customer travel experience in the future. We appreciate everyone’s understanding.(Source; HT: gleff)
Changes for LAX international arrivals / bus to TBIT for formalities (consolidated)
Sep 20, 2013, 5:49 pm
#31
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
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So much for using LAX as my gateway to NRT later this year. DFW it is.
Sep 20, 2013, 8:13 pm
#32
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA & DL / SPG & HGP
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I've often chosen DFW over LAX for NRT connections (even if DFW is an east-bound flight going to LAX for me) because (a) no remote terminal bus is required and (b) it's a MD80 (full size plane) to DFW but now it's CRJ-200s for me to LAX. ...and it's extra miles earned for me.
Sep 21, 2013, 2:24 am
#33
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Are there any GE kiosks in T4? Can use them even if CBP officers are no there and clear immigration? I am arriving with only carry on.
Sep 21, 2013, 8:12 am
#34
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 789
Does anyone have experience of how Special Services are dealing with passengers who cannot do stairs? Is there no elevator? This cannot be ADA compliant.
Sep 21, 2013, 8:47 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2009
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Absolutely. You have the standard kiosks, with one CBP officer right around from them just in case help is needed. It was a bit crazy as it seems the CBP officer was doing duty as the emergency officer for folks with premium cabin seats and tight connections, so it was a bit busy in the area. No matter how crazy the whole place seems, you will be out of there in under 10 minutes with GE and carry-on only.
Sep 21, 2013, 8:47 am
#36
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
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I'd like to bet that the chances of anyone being able to go through CBT with only a kiosk present, but no CBP personnel, are about zero.
Sep 21, 2013, 8:51 am
#37
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
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Absolutely. You have the standard kiosks, with one CBP officer right around from them just in case help is needed. It was a bit crazy as it seems the CBP officer was doing duty as the emergency officer for folks with premium cabin seats and tight connections, so it was a bit busy in the area. No matter how crazy the whole place seems, you will be out of there in under 10 minutes with GE and carry-on only.
If so, I amend my earlier post.
Sep 21, 2013, 9:10 am
#38
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Sep 21, 2013, 11:10 am
#39
Join Date: Feb 2013
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So, is the closure of secure walkway between Terminal 4 CBP and TBIT CBP permanent? When everything is done, what will happen to Terminal 4 CBP?
I am wondering when all is done then will all international arrival and departure be from TBIT? Or Gate 41 and Gate 43 will remain international arrival capable?
I am wondering when all is done then will all international arrival and departure be from TBIT? Or Gate 41 and Gate 43 will remain international arrival capable?
Sep 21, 2013, 9:47 pm
#40
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: QF WP, AA EXP
Posts: 3,520
AA is eventually getting some gates in TBIT. I'd assume that is where they would try to park their international arrivals, so they could clear immigration at TBIT.
Sep 21, 2013, 9:55 pm
#41
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 789
More bad news then. For years T4 has been one of the best CBP in US and TBIT one of the worst. AA137 arrival (admittedly In First, from door to baggage carousel 7 minutes as visitor. Aeromexico from Mexico City, TBIT 2.5 hours from door to baggage carousel (then 20 Minute line to get through customs.) I guess the accountants are at work here, can't be the marketers.
Sep 21, 2013, 11:03 pm
#42
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Sep 22, 2013, 11:25 pm
#43
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BOS/OAK
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Posts: 35
Well, I was on AA137 today and I can confirm that we pulled into Gate 41 and were bused to TBIT. I was in row 17 and was about the 3rd person in line when they cut off boarding for the first bus, so I had to wait for the second bus, which took another 10 minutes. It really sucked.
At the same time, AA182 (PVG-LAX) arrived and pulled directly into a gate at TBIT (Gate 152 according to aa.com) so those pax didn't need to be bused.
At least the walk back to T4 for my connecting flight was really short. If they can get gate space at TBIT for intl arrivals I wouldn't mind the walk, but if they keep up the busing I'm avoiding intl arrivals at LAX until the construction's complete.
At the same time, AA182 (PVG-LAX) arrived and pulled directly into a gate at TBIT (Gate 152 according to aa.com) so those pax didn't need to be bused.
At least the walk back to T4 for my connecting flight was really short. If they can get gate space at TBIT for intl arrivals I wouldn't mind the walk, but if they keep up the busing I'm avoiding intl arrivals at LAX until the construction's complete.
Sep 23, 2013, 12:58 am
#44
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Anyone know why 182 gets tbit and 137 doesn't? With 137 back to a noon departure in about a month, wonder if cbp @ t4 will stay open?
Sep 23, 2013, 5:10 am
#45
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I had the "pleasure" of being on the first load of AA137 to try the new gauntlet yesterday. AA T4 international arrival passengers now have to carry their bags down two flights of stairs, be stuffed in a bus, drive to the other side of the airport, wait in the bus, walk back in TBIT almost all the way to T4 before proceeding to immigration. A year of that gauntlet is ridiculous. (coupled with the LHR T5 <-> T3 gauntlet and surly LHR security staff makes it even worse)
AA should either unload international inbounds at TBIT (keep outbounds at T4 by tugging back to gate 41) or should reopen the T4 immigration or gasp, use the DL immigration in T5 like they did several years ago.
There were 10+ GE machines in the new TBIT.
AA should either unload international inbounds at TBIT (keep outbounds at T4 by tugging back to gate 41) or should reopen the T4 immigration or gasp, use the DL immigration in T5 like they did several years ago.
There were 10+ GE machines in the new TBIT.