2 Hour connection in LAX (QF11-AA DOM) - time for a shower?

[steveda]

Hi All,

Am arriving in LA on QF11 next Thursday and will be transferring to an AA domestic flight with a 2 hour connection time. Do I have any hope in hell of getting through immigration/customs/TSA and still have time to shower and freshen up in T4 before getting on yet another pressurised metal tube?

If it makes any difference, all flights are on a single booking and I'll have a couple of bags to re-check.

Cheers

Steve

 

[OverrideServlet]

You'll really struggle I think.

If you have priority access and can skip the queues when re-checking, maybe.

 

[steveda]

Do I have "priority access" as a QF SG?

If you have any tips on getting through quicker, I'm all ears!

Cheers

Steve

 

[OverrideServlet]

Do I have "priority access" as a QF SG?

As a oneworld Sapphire I believe you do:

PriorityAAccess(SM) Privileges | AA.com

To be honest, with a 2hr connection at LAX I'd be taking a small stash of fresh wipes as my plan B.

I'd also expect to be resorting to plan B more often than not.

 

[harvyk]

Maybe yes, maybe no... Depend on how long your wait is for immi \ baggage \ security, what time your plane arrives, if your next plane departs on time...
Make the call when you arrive at LAX and are in the T4 departures area as to if you think you have time...

 

[steveda]

As a oneworld Sapphire I believe you do:

PriorityAAccess(SM) Privileges | AA.com

To be honest, with a 2hr connection at LAX I'd be taking a small stash of fresh wipes my plan B.

I'd also expect to be resorting to plan B more often than not.

Thanks,

If plan B is put into action, it'll be in SYD - I have a 1:10 connection to QF11 after arriving from ADL. I suspect I won't be 'enjoying' the INT business lounge too much!

LAX may require invocation of plan C - a 4 hour wait in T4 for the next flight to PHX. TBH, if I don't manage to get into the showers at the AC, it'll only be an hour or two of stinking out the plane to PHX and the car from the airport, but I have standards!

Cheers

Steve

 

[juddles]

It really depends on three things:

1.- Luck. This is a biggie.
2.- Your swiftness and audacity in movement and approaching queues.
3.- The hardest thing and most unpredictable - your baggage.

I have got off a flight from Australia to LAX and physically got to the foyer of a hotel, after baggage/immigration/airport shuttle etc, within an hour. But I have also had times where my first of two bags appeared on the carousel within minutes of getting there, with almost noone going through customs, only to then wait till the last for the second bag to appear, at which time the queue from various flights through customs was unbelievable. LAX is used to extremely high traffic, but has peaks and flows. Saving three seconds getting to point B can make a 20 minute difference to the whole process.

Tips: Every single passenger you overtake walking is a huge plus. Don't mess around at the luggage carousel. Be at the inflow and make haste to customs. Watch carefully what is going on with queues. People who clearly dont speak english or spanish are going to delay the process. Always. If you are ready to go thru security (ie laptop out, nothing in pockets, etc) just go past those people who are struggling to remove the thirty seven items they have in their pockets. It may appear rude, but noone really cares, if you have your stuff ready. Most people will reconize that you are in a desperate hurry and forgive you. Know your arrival and departure terminals beforehand. Seconds wasted looking for a screen and studying it make all the difference.

 

[harvyk]

Do I have "priority access" as a QF SG?

If you have any tips on getting through quicker, I'm all ears!

Cheers

Steve

Yes as a QF SG you should have AAccess...
Last time I was there OW Rubies (so QF PS) and up had priority access on AA services.

 

[gbetox]

With only carry-on, sitting up front and rushing to immigration, I've made it to the AA gate in 30 minutes.

The movie "Up in the Air" with George Clooney changed my life. Always travel light, avoid queues with families/elderly, and look for queues with Asians wearing slip on shoes

 

[straitman]

Thanks,

If plan B is put into action, it'll be in SYD - I have a 1:10 connection to QF11 after arriving from ADL. I suspect I won't be 'enjoying' the INT business lounge too much!

LAX may require invocation of plan C - a 4 hour wait in T4 for the next flight to PHX. TBH, if I don't manage to get into the showers at the AC, it'll only be an hour or two of stinking out the plane to PHX and the car from the airport, but I have standards!

Cheers

Steve

The SYD connection at 70 min could easily make the LAX connection a non event. There is no way that I would be comfortable at 70 min in SYD let alone 120 min in LAX.

 

[dfcatch]

With only carry-on, sitting up front and rushing to immigration, I've made it to the AA gate in 30 minutes.

The movie "Up in the Air" with George Clooney changed my life. Always travel light, avoid queues with families/elderly, and look for queues with Asians wearing slip on shoes

Without being racist.... But arriving on any of the ex-Australia flights at LAX..... Slip-on shoes or not, i don't want to be behind any of those 747s if I have any hope of making it through immigration in a sensible timeframe.

Although SWMBO made it through in under 20 mins the other day (IME this is the exception, not the rule).

To the OP - don't do it!

 

[LAH]

I'd be having a basin wash on the plane if I was you - I don't like your chances. GOOD LUCK and let us know how you went!

 

[steveda]

Hi All,

Thanks for the responses.

As for getting in line behind asians with slip-on shoes, if anybody is in LAX on 15/09, get behind the pom with no laptop and a pair of easily removable RMs. He won't be hanging around!

Cheers

Steve

 

[OverrideServlet]

look for queues with Asians wearing slip on shoes

I should probably get this, but I don't.

 

[steveda]

I should probably get this, but I don't.

It's part of a quote from "Up in the air" - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1193138/quotes:

Ryan Bingham: [on getting through airport security] Never get behind old people. Their bodies are littered with hidden metal and they never seem to appreciate how little time they have left. Bingo, Asians. They pack light, travel efficiently, and they have a thing for slip on shoes. Gotta love 'em.
Natalie Keener: That's racist.
Ryan Bingham: I'm like my mother, I stereotype. It's faster.

 

[lsmi4126]

Yes as a QF SG you should have AAccess...

Last time I was there OW Rubies (so QF PS) and up had priority access on AA services.

Yes, you have AAccess however unless things have changed recently, your QF boarding pass for the AA flight will not have PRIORITY ACCESS printed on it - you need to get a new AA pass (and the AA gate dragons don't know how to read a QF pass in my experience).

LAX is a complete gamble. I've been through immigration, baggage claim, customs and baggage drop in 30 minutes and in over 3 hours. It really depends on the traffic coming into TBIT (delays etc...)

My policy these days is not make any AA connections after QF11 of less than 3 hours - i'm fairly confident that 9 times out of 10 I'll make these flights with a quick trip to the AL. QF107 on the other hand....

 

[steveda]

Replying to my own thread as I'm sure you're all just hanging out to know the result...

Sydney was a nightmare. Huge immigration queue meant I was sprinting through the duty free shop to the gate and managed to be the last to board the plane. Apparently, they were already looking for my bag!

Managed to get through immigration and customs at LA in 15 minutes flat. Quick tip - go to the furthest immigration queue on the left and hope you get called over to the express immigration queue.

If anybody happens to be on AA3802 today, you'll be delighted to know that I managed to have the shower

Cheers

Steve

P.S. Note to fellow travelers - if you select a seat near a bassinet don't whinge about crying babies!

 

[LAH]

Good on you!!!!!! Great to hear!

 

[LAH]

I have a 2 hour connection on Sep 27, so I will let you know if I manage it. You give me hope!

 

[kirk7]

I'm on the QF11 today and luckily 3 hr connection....so I should be able to freshen up in the flagship lounge.....

To the OP- hope it worked out well for you!