joy12

Hi,
I'm flying into LAX from HongKong arriving at 1125 and booked a Southwest flight to San Francisco, departing at 1345 on the same day. Given the post Sept11 security checks, will it be too much of a rush? Or would you suggest I change my domestic flight?

Thanks!

stumpworks73

You should be reasonable at over 2 hours. However, if SW has a flight just an hour later,I'd book the extra time. SW always allows no penalty flight changes if you clear customs for the earlier flight.

Gardyloo

Assuming you're talking about two separate tickets I'd definitely plan on a later flight.

Assuming it's Cathay Pacific's flight, when I went through T4/TBIT arrivals terminal at LAX last week there were maybe 1000 people in the passport queue - Hong Kong and Australian arrival pax - and the baggage reclaim/customs queues were horrendous. If your flight is a little bit late, or others are early, you could find yourself in big trouble.

I'd allow at least 3 1/2 hours for the connection; who knows, it might go faster any SW could put you on the earlier flight if there's room.

eurotraveler9

Yikes! Two hours seems like a long time, but it's not for an international to domestic connection into the US. The 2 hours starts when you land or pull up to the gate, not when the 400+ passengers on your 747 have already deplaned. Like the previous post stated, if your international flight arrives at the same time as a few more 747s, there could be a logjam in baggage/customs. If you are not a US citizen the lines can be even longer than for returning citizens. I am not familiar with LAX, but many times the domestic flights connect from a different terminal than the international and you have to go though security again to get to your new gate. Book a later flight if possible!

eurotraveler9

Although if you've already booked your flight, you might as well take your chances with a later flight on SW. Most airlines now charge $100 to change your ticket after it's booked. There is always the possibility of standby on the same day. Just be real nice to the ticket agent and hope for the best!

TrvlMaven

Keep in mind you'll have to get from the International Terminal to SW Terminal 1 and then clear security.

janisj

Just did that only my flight was Hong Kong to Seoul to LAX to a Southwest flight.

1) absolutely log on and check in and print your boarding pass for your southwest flight before you leave HK

2) The Tom Bradley terminal is quite a walk from the the SW terminal. There are shuttle buses, but walking is almost as fast unless you have a lot of luggage. I only do carry on so I was down to the departure lounge at SW about 45 minutes after landing. But w/ a jumbo it could have been another 30 minutes just to retrieve luggage.

3) Passport control didn't take too long, my flight was 90% Asian so the lines for US passengers was VERY short.

If you check luggage, or don't print your boarding pass ahead of time, or don't have a US passport - then 2 hours may not be long enough.

joy12

Oh dear this sounds bad! alright thanks all! will do something about my flight then! =)