AA's SYD-LAX flight

[dfcatch]

Sorry for the consecutive posts. Was hoping for a little guidance. Mrs B and I are taking AA73 on saturday and we are planning on going to the QF F Lounge before going to T4 to board (as the AA Flagship obviously just doesn't compare).
1. Can we check in at TBIT or do we need to check in at T4.
2. If it is T4, would the best option be to walk outside and clear security at TBIT at go straight to the lounge or do we go through T4 security and take the internal bus
3. Finally once we're done at TBIT is there a bus that goes back to T4? I've never taken a bus from TBIT to T4 so not sure that that is possible.
Thanks for the help.

1/ You need to check in at T4 with AA
2/ You can do either. I would usually just walk to TBIT myself.
3/ No, you have to exit and walk back to T4 and clear TSA again.

 

[Moindardt]

Allow yourself extra time going back to T4. They gave me a real hard time about having gone through customs at TBIT and then trying to go back through to my flight to Miami. They swore black and blue it was not allowed but could not show me where. I showed them I was allowed to access the lounge and that customs over there had questioned me about it and agreed I could go through. I asked what did it have to do with them and were they going to stop me going to my flight? They had to clear it with a Manager before they would let me through. Took about 40 mins and had to run for my flight.

I have tried to find anywhere where it says you can't do this but haven't found anything. Just another US customs power play I think.

 

[Timtammi]

When does the airside walkway from T4 to TBIT open? I want to be able to go to the QF F lounge in TBIT before the flight back on the AA flight to Syd in late July. Assume this is allowed as 1 x OWE and 1 x OWS plus both travelling in J booked on QF Codeshare? I dont relish having to argue with customs to get out again!

 

[bosox76]

1/ You need to check in at T4 with AA
2/ You can do either. I would usually just walk to TBIT myself.
3/ No, you have to exit and walk back to T4 and clear TSA again.

Allow yourself extra time going back to T4. They gave me a real hard time about having gone through customs at TBIT and then trying to go back through to my flight to Miami. They swore black and blue it was not allowed but could not show me where. I showed them I was allowed to access the lounge and that customs over there had questioned me about it and agreed I could go through. I asked what did it have to do with them and were they going to stop me going to my flight? They had to clear it with a Manager before they would let me through. Took about 40 mins and had to run for my flight.

I have tried to find anywhere where it says you can't do this but haven't found anything. Just another US customs power play I think.

Thanks for the replies.
Moindart - how did you leave TBIT to get back outside to walk to T4? Is there an exit that we should head towards?

 

[dfcatch]

Allow yourself extra time going back to T4. They gave me a real hard time about having gone through customs at TBIT and then trying to go back through to my flight to Miami. They swore black and blue it was not allowed but could not show me where. I showed them I was allowed to access the lounge and that customs over there had questioned me about it and agreed I could go through. I asked what did it have to do with them and were they going to stop me going to my flight? They had to clear it with a Manager before they would let me through. Took about 40 mins and had to run for my flight.

I have tried to find anywhere where it says you can't do this but haven't found anything. Just another US customs power play I think.

You mean TSA right?

You would have zero interaction with customs (CBP) whatsoever unless arriving internationally into TBIT.

The contract staff at the bottom of the escalators in TBIT simply want to ensure ticketed pax only are lining up for security. If they "helpfully" try and advise you that your flight leaves from T4 - just tell them that you're there to shop/eat - they'll smile and let you through.

 

[bosox76]

Is there a way of exiting TBIT without passing through CBP once I'm done with the FLounge and shops? I understand that I need to go through TSA security to enter but do they have an exit too?

 

[dfcatch]

Is there a way of exiting TBIT without passing through CBP once I'm done with the FLounge and shops? I understand that I need to go through TSA security to enter but do they have an exit too?

No - you can exit any terminal at any stage without going through any CBP (except when arriving internationally where you are channeled into the immigration hall).

To exit TBIT from the Departures area, you simply walk back toward the screening area - and on the right-hand side (as you exit) you will see the signs to exit, simply walk out.

 

[bosox76]

Thanks dfcatch

 

[AV8]

Allow yourself extra time going back to T4. They gave me a real hard time about having gone through customs at TBIT and then trying to go back through to my flight to Miami. They swore black and blue it was not allowed but could not show me where. I showed them I was allowed to access the lounge and that customs over there had questioned me about it and agreed I could go through. I asked what did it have to do with them and were they going to stop me going to my flight? They had to clear it with a Manager before they would let me through. Took about 40 mins and had to run for my flight.

I have tried to find anywhere where it says you can't do this but haven't found anything. Just another US customs power play I think.

See LAX website for details of walkway construction and multiple terminal entry/exits.

LAX Terminal 4 News and Updates - LAX is Happening (Travel Impact & Travel Tips)

 

[bosox76]

Mrs B and I just got off AA73. We did manage to get to the FLounge prior to traipsing back to T4. Thanks to those we have advice.

We both sat in window seats. The seats are similar but not exactly the same as the 788 maybe a little tighter but still very comfortable. The Bose headphones are a nice touch until they take them off you about 45-60min prior to landing. The food was reasonable but not spectacular. The lobster Mac was my favourite part of the meal. The eye fillet very over done but not surprising. Breakfast was less impressive but quite edible. The service wasn't quite as friendly as the QF crew but more efficient than I expected.

The mattress doesn't hook onto the chair like the QF ones so tend to move around a bit. Love the storage areas though. Definitely better than the QF ones on this point. Haven't tried the new business suites though so maybe it wouldn't be such a point of excitement if I had.

We would gladly travel on AA again on this route. We went with them this time for cost reasons but wouldn't hesitate to book again despite having to transit through SYD if price was right.

 

[Timtammi]

Thanks for the mini TR bosox76, sounds good, no problem going into/out of TBIT? I gather you also had no problems accessing the Flounge itself?

 

[bosox76]

We had no problems getting into and out of TBIT just had to go through security multiple times. Each time we had to show our boarding passes they tried to redirect us to T4 including the QF rep at FLounge but we politely declined and states that we preferred the QF lounge and shops at TBIT and that we'd make it back to T4 in good time. That seemed to satisfy everyone including TSA.

 

[earlyriser]

Just finished a round trip on this route. On the way over, the plane was about 60% capacity. I had the first row after business (exit row) all to myself. That whole little area originally had about 5 people until they both some people around who got to lay down across four seats. I was quite pleased overall except the seat did not seem to recline very much.

I flew business on the way back and the plane was probably up around 90% capacity. I found the bed to be more comfortable than QANTAS business (although I am 6'6) and I liked the privacy. The screens were quite large and the food was good. I ordered lamb online the day before and for some reason they had me down for the vegan meal but after some discussion I was able to get the very last lamb meal. The service, as has been mentioned was not up there with QANTAS - mostly ladies in their 50's, but I can't complain too much. Pajamas's were quite comfy as well.

 

[Timtammi]

Thanks earlyriser, sounds good, what are the PJ's like? Any pics? Where did you go online to pre-order your meals? I booked through QF so not sure how that would work? Sounds like that one didn't go quite according to plan! Its a long way from Lamb to Vegan so I'm glad that got sorted for you!

 

[bosox76]

I'm 6 feet and about 95kg. The largest size they had was a L/XL. The pants were comfy but the arms on the top had some stitching around the wrist area that meant when trying to roll them up they constricted the arms a little. Surprised they don't have anything larger given the larger size of many that travel to and from the LOTFAP. Sorry didn't take any photos though. If you're smaller it won't be a problem at all. Overall though I prefer them to the QF J ones but I also prefer the QF F ones over the AA J ones.

 

[Timtammi]

No problems for me I'm only 5'2"! However my 6'3", 100KG husband may find them a bit snug
Thanks for the additional info.

 

[drron]

I am 6' and 100kg and I prefer the AA PJs.I have a pair I keep in Tassie-the only place on earth I wear PJs.Not too snug on me.

 

[Timtammi]

Thanks DrRon, good to hear. quite looking forward to this flight, a change is as good as a holiday as they say and I'm feeling a bit "meh" about the Qf skybeds lately (1st world problem I know!).

 

[maz1]

well, i'm feeling very excited- managed to get 2 seats in J on AA awards this morning for Sydney to LAX.

 

[Quickstatus]

well, i'm feeling very excited- managed to get 2 seats in J on AA awards this morning for Sydney to LAX.

can you please estimate how many days to departure date?