LAX: recent experience

[suze2000]

Just looked back at my SMS logs. Landed at 1224pm on 24/6/16. Got out of terminal with bags to start the walk at 1348.

Hubby landed at Newark at 10:49pm on 22/7/16 and made it out of the airport at ~00:20 the next day. That was just immigration and bags, no complications.

I landed at SFO at 0540 on 26/7/16 and got out of the building about 55 mins later. It helped a little that I'd recently entered the US as they only fingerprinted my right hand this time and didn't bother with the photo. Queues were noticeably smaller (about half) but must have been less processing staff than at LAX.

 

[coriander]

There were two long banks of ekiosks at LAX in March. We were last off the plane due to a coughpit visit, but still walked up to kiosk, had my photo taken, biggest problem was fitting all my fingers on the pad ( because I have big hands). TSA person finally jammed her hand over mine pressing down hard and it accepted me straight away. Mrs C and I were through in minutes and our bags were already on carousel. Too easy!

 

[amaroo]

There were two long banks of ekiosks at LAX in March. We were last off the plane due to a coughpit visit, but still walked up to kiosk, had my photo taken, biggest problem was fitting all my fingers on the pad ( because I have big hands). TSA person finally jammed her hand over mine pressing down hard and it accepted me straight away. Mrs C and I were through in minutes and our bags were already on carousel. Too easy!

The highlighted bits remind me of a favourite song.

[video=youtube;Ra8VTlXVqUQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra8VTlXVqUQ[/video]

 

[RooFlyer]

Hands down beats the last time I visited LAX - Dec 2013, took ~1.5hrs.

What on earth happened?

 

[dfcatch]

Aww man!

Also: so basically, it's hit-and-miss. Which gets back to my original advice which was allow an hour to get through immigration. If you get out in 20 mins, great, but that's not been my experience getting into the US.

1/ There's no "gates", just kiosks.

At LAX you still need to visit Officer Martinez in the booth.

At SFO you just have a quick chat with the Officer at a podium and hand in your slip.


2/ At SFO - the signs are "reversible", the "ESTA holders" sign is hidden behind the "US Citizens" sign.

They switch the signs after the americanos have all gone through.

If you arrive on a United flight, you're stuffed. If you arrive on QF73, you should be fine.

 

[dfcatch]

What on earth happened?

Try 2:45 was my slowest. 7 mins was my best.

 

[amaroo]

What on earth happened?

LAX hell hole of old. To make matters worse - one of the kids threw up just as we got to the head of the queue :shock:

 

[RooFlyer]

LAX hell hole of old. To make matters worse - one of the kids threw up just as we got to the head of the queue :shock:

Yep. That will do it.

(At least it would have given you some 'ammunition' when they (presumably) later went through the bolshy 15/16 stage when travelling with the family ...)

 

[Melburnian1]

Thank you all for the amazing range of responses. Common theme seems 'expect the unexpected.'

 

[dfcatch]

Thank you all for the amazing range of responses. Common theme seems 'expect the unexpected.'

Honestly - 90% chance you'll be through pretty quickly and seamlessly.

But if you plan for it taking a while - then you won't be stressed with tight connections that you can't do anything about