Recent LAX experiences?
 

Hi. Departing LAX at 11:00 am next Saturday for Mexico. Anyone with any recent experiences as to wait time to check in or other insights? I've heard everything from "piece of cake" to "I was in line 3 hours & still missed my flight". Any infor would be appreciated!

I appreciate this information, but at the same time, am concerned that dissemination of information like this could be a security risk. Seeing which airports have National Guard, which ones are searching cars, and more comments about procedure are probably best not talked about on a public forum in my opinion (I'm sure people will flame me for this, but I'd rather err on the side of being overly cautious and just show up earlier than I would otherwise).

Went to Chicago on Thursday the 11th and <BR>came home Monday the 15th on UAL. Early flite the 11th presented lines down the street at Southwest and at least a 2 hour wait at UAL. Lot's of bad info from employees as to what line (of 3 block long lines inside and out) to use. <BR>Needed to go in 3 lines to check bags at curb, get a boarding pass inside and go throug security. Barely made the plane 2 hours later but so did the attendants! Couldn't take off on time because they were stuck in the lines, too! Returning from OHare was much faster and more organized. <BR>My suggestions: check bags inside not at the curb, unless you have a boarding pass, don't take anything in hand thru security that you can check in bags. <BR>Allow a full 2 hours. If you go thru faster, sit down and relax.

A week and a half ago, my husband's boss had to leave on a commuter flight L.A to S.F... he took one look at the lines and decided to drive... this is honestly true. I would allow, as stated 2 hours, 3 for International.. bring a good book and a terrific amount of patience.

the amount of hassle reported at LAX seems to vary widely. <BR> <BR>Last Tuesday I took a 1 day trip to Colorado Springs, leaving at Terminal 3 (the short haul American Airlines terminal). It was virtually empty. No lines at the ticket counter. Only about 10 people ahead of me at the xray machine. Everything was run thru the xray machine but they did not search my 1 bag. <BR> <BR>Yesterday took my son to terminal 1, Southwest Airlines, at about 3:30 pm. A lot busier than American, but not too bad. We had baggage to check, the wait at the ticket counter was only about 15 minutes. Of course, SWA had all their stations opened and manned. <BR> <BR>United Airlines has always sucked wiith their crowd control and organization (lack thereof), they were one of the worst even before the WTC attack. I avoid United whenever possible. <BR> <BR>The biggest hassle seems to be the denial of most private vehicles into the airport, I used taxis since I have heard horror stories about the off site parking. <BR> <BR>The are supposed to re-open LAX to limited private auto usage today, go to the LA Times newspaper web site for the details. <BR> <BR>jhm: any potential terrorist can visit any airport & check it out, anytime. Anyone who relies on anecdotal message boards as the basis of reconnaissance is an amateur & won't succeed at anything, anyway.

<BR>If you are leaving from the International terminal, the security lines will be longest and slowest. Get there by 8:30am. <BR> <BR>Even though the parking lots are opening, it is quickest to shuttle in from one of the remote lots. If someone is driving you to the airport, have them drop you at the bus terminal pickup area and take the shuttle in.

I am leaving for Kauai on 10/28 and have been told by Hawaiian Air to get there 3 hours ahead. I will do what is nec, and be glad I get to go this time (we were at LAX 9/11am) But 3 hours does seem extreme, it is domestic and all, any insight or experience?

I picked up my son tonght from terminal 1. This is 2nd day of parking structures being open to private vehicles. Parking garages nearly empty. Very light traffic. Ordinarily Sunday evenings are moderately busy. It is definitely NOT quickest to shuttle in from one of the remote lots, if today is any indication. <BR> <BR>A few days ago, a police checkpoint at LAX entrance was even checking the ID and cabbie licenses of all entering taxis. Tonight ... nothing. I hope they do not start becoming complacent after just one month.