Leaving Chicago for Auckland. Changing planes in LAX - 4 hour layover. Want to meet friends for dinner - is this possible?

Specifically - 1) will bags be checked all way through (or will I have to retrieve them in LAX)? 2) will I be checked in all way through (or will I have to check in at LAX)? 3) If answers to above are yes, when should I reappear at airport for immigration/ security or whatever?

Thanks - doug

For 4 hours, I wouldn't chance it, unless your friends meet you at the airport and you eat there. You will need to be at the check in counter at least 2 hours ahead of your departure (they say 3 hours now for international flights.) Security at LA takes a bit of time. You will probably land at a different terminal and then have to walk with your carryons to the international terminal. We did the meet family for dinner, but we had 7 hours. Maybe some LA natives can chime in here, but in my opinion, I wouldn't chance it.
Sally in Seattle
p.s. our bags were checked through, but we had to check in at Qantas, I believe.

Are you changing airlines or just changing planes? The airline should be able to answer the question about being checked all the way through.

Three hours should give you plenty of time to get thru security and get your boarding passes. So you would have an hour. That said, I arrived 3 hours ahead and had 2 hrs of waiting at the gate for an Air New Zealand flight that left at approx 9:15 pm. AirNZ is not at the International Terminal, its on the first half of the loop (I think Terminal 2?) so not so bad getting back if your friends are picking you up.

If you have to transfer your bags, perhaps you can do that first and then go for a bite or drink at Encounter which is the futuristic restaurant in the center of the aiport. I wouldn't go very far off the property, and certainly not to Santa Monica or Venice.

What airline are you flying to LAX, and are you flying on the same ticket for both legs?

Short answer-- most likely no time for dinner with friends.

Liz

Suggest you don't leave the airport. Getting back through security at LAX can take FOREVER.

You should be able to check all your bags through to Auckland.

My recent experience (Dec 2006) was that checking in bags at the ticket counter was what took time, not getting thru security. I think the new rules about carryons have actually helped speed up that process. Assuming you have boarding passes and only your carry on, two hours before your flight will be more than enough time. You'll probably still be ahead of 50% of your fellow fliers.

Thanks to all -
I'm flying to LAX on United and to Auckland on Air NZ (I believe). It is on the same ticket (all bought through United using miles).

Sounds like the concensus is to not leave the airport.

doug

Santa Monica is too far - we - if you don't want to stay at the airport there are stacks of large hotels in and around the airport and most of the chains will have a restaurant/coffee shop/bar which is much nicer than sitting in LAX airport. You can just catch the shuttle bus to which ever one you want to go to. - 5 mins - have done this many times when we are on our way home to Oz and we want to catch up with a girlfriend of mine before we head home