QF J Class LAX Arrival - Express Path/Priority Immigration?

[markehlers]

Flying MEL-LAX in J Class in 2012 with QF. I'm wondering if I get an 'express path' like expereince (ie priority immigration/Customs) in LAX?

Also does anyone know what the First Lounge in LAX is like and when the newly annouced Marc Newson LAX First Lounge will be opened? Flying LAX-SYD on the return leg.

Cheers.

 

[Katie]

I have never seen any express path or J/F arrivals lines at either TBIT or T4 International arrivals at LAX. It's just Americans and Foreigners for immigration lines (though there is clear path or whatever for immigration, at a cost, pre-clearance for frequent travellers), and then basically one line for declaring at customs. I'm always declaring food, so can't remember if there's a "green" non-declare line.

Most travellers here who leave on LAX-Aus flights from TBIT seem to prefer to wait in the AA First lounge in T4, if they have arrived on a connecting AA flight, rather than the current First loung at TBIT. I have been in the AA T4 First lounge once, but have never been in the TBIT First lounge. Can't remember if QF have announced a target date for opening the reforbed TBIT First lounge??

 

[Heleigh]

Hi markehlers

No express lane, it depends on how many flights have landed as to how crowded immigration is. Being in J you are off the craft early so walk fast, at the immigration hall sometimes it pays to walk farther down if the 1st couple of sections are busy.

Baggage will be on the J and F carousel.

Terminal 4 AA F lounge is the Flagship but unless you are WP no access not to SYD F lounge standards. Self serve basic food and drink. If you are flying on help yourself to a few goodies (if no service on next flight).

 

[juddles]

......so can't remember if there's a "green" non-declare line.....

Nope.

And as per Heleigh, I don't think you will get in to the First lounge on a J ticket without WP status.

Cheers.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Does APEC card still get you into Flight Crew lane at immigration?

 

[serfty]

Does APEC card still get you into Flight Crew lane at immigration?

I believe so.

To the OP, where are you flying on to and who with?


As far as the announced Marc Newson LAX First Lounge I think looking at 2013 or even 2014 may be appropriate.

 

[file51]

Having just arrived at LAX this morning from QF11 there is now a new line for express clearance.

This only applies to people with ticketed connections, and I think I heard the airport staff saying 90-120 minutes or less.

After you leave the aircraft, if you see a ground agent they will give you an Orange/Yellow card to use the express immigration lines.
(obviously you need a boarding pass for the connecting flight)

I was sitting in 13A on the 388 and was the 3rd or 4th off the aircraft, there was another passenger in the front J section who got one of these express cards after deplaning, and they were through both Immigration, with priority bag collection and then through the express customs line in less than 10 minutes.

Mind you, I think it only took me 25-30 minutes for me to be landside waiting for the hotel shuttle bus.

This is a very positive move in what is one of the worst US airports to clear immigration and customs, especially during the peak arrivals times (personally have waited 2 hours in the past to be landside after arrival at the terminal... that sucked)

HTH

 

[dfcatch]

Having just arrived at LAX this morning from QF11 there is now a new line for express clearance.

This only applies to people with ticketed connections, and I think I heard the airport staff saying 90-120 minutes or less.

After you leave the aircraft, if you see a ground agent they will give you an Orange/Yellow card to use the express immigration lines.
(obviously you need a boarding pass for the connecting flight)

I was sitting in 13A on the 388 and was the 3rd or 4th off the aircraft, there was another passenger in the front J section who got one of these express cards after deplaning, and they were through both Immigration, with priority bag collection and then through the express customs line in less than 10 minutes.

Mind you, I think it only took me 25-30 minutes for me to be landside waiting for the hotel shuttle bus.

This is a very positive move in what is one of the worst US airports to clear immigration and customs, especially during the peak arrivals times (personally have waited 2 hours in the past to be landside after arrival at the terminal... that sucked)

HTH

WOW - this is a positive.

 

[markehlers]

Nope.

And as per Heleigh, I don't think you will get in to the First lounge on a J ticket without WP status.

Cheers.

Excuse my ignorance - what is WP status?

 

[markehlers]

Sounds good - I would expect there is some system for premium pax... not going until April 2012 so I have a long time to wait before finding out myself.

Thanks for everyone's answers

 

[Mal]

Having just arrived at LAX this morning from QF11 there is now a new line for express clearance.

This only applies to people with ticketed connections, and I think I heard the airport staff saying 90-120 minutes or less.

After you leave the aircraft, if you see a ground agent they will give you an Orange/Yellow card to use the express immigration lines.
(obviously you need a boarding pass for the connecting flight)

Used this last time I was in LAX. Was "moving very fast" through the terminal as I had a tightish connection. Got stopped by a staffer, she asked why I was in a hurry - said tight conx. She asks for BP, then hands me an Express pass.

 

[Timba-Jet]

Used this last time I was in LAX. Was "moving very fast" through the terminal as I had a tightish connection. Got stopped by a staffer, she asked why I was in a hurry - said tight conx. She asks for BP, then hands me an Express pass.

Now that's great service and efficiency not usually associated with LAX. Good on them or about time depending on your perspective.

 

[Leumas]

As mentioned before, there is now an express lane at TBIT. It was operational when I went through it in June. However, the bottleneck is still at luggage collection even though priority luggage tags do work better over there.

 

[straitman]

Excuse my ignorance - what is WP status?

Have a look at the abbreviations list here.

WP = W**ker Platinum :!:
SG = Scum Gold

 

[QF029]

In 2012 I'll be travelling J on QF93 with no onward connection. I haven't arrived at LAX for years but is it just the (for the US) standard immigration check point and then baggage collection?

One of my travelling companions on that flight will be quite slow in tewrms of walking. Would I be best to just power ahead from the plane and save them a spot in the immigration queue? How far (typically) is the walk from the gate to immigration?

Thanks.

 

[simongr]

My only thought about powering ahead and saving a spot is that you might get through too quickly so will have to let people past you...

 

[serfty]

...How far (typically) is the walk from the gate to immigration? ...

From either of the VLA¹ gates at TBIT, the walk is off the aircraft then down stairs/lift/escalator, followed by nearly 400 metres along a tunnel/corridor - there are travelators along the way, sometimes not all are operating.

See here: TBIT VLA Gates

¹ "Very Large Aircraft", A380 is of the type. These are gates 101 and 123 ar the far South and North ends of TBIT respectively.

 

[QF029]

My only thought about powering ahead and saving a spot is that you might get through too quickly so will have to let people past you...

That would be a good problem to have!

 

[jb747]

I thought the signs in LAX said "US citizens" and "all other scum".

Even as crew I find the entire US customs/immigration experience to be so nasty that I try, as much as possible, to avoid going there.

 

[Maca44]

San Francisco and Los Angeles
"chalk and cheese".

There is a completely different attitude by the various officers at SFO, and they even smile whereas the TSA etc in LAX act as thought they have a huge chip on their shoulders. Probably tried to get into the Police, but couldn't pass the exam