Help for LAX

[battle on]

I found it very easy going from Australia to Mexico but a bit more complicated coming back. I guess it depends on which airline she is flying but it's all fairly well marked and a short walk between terminals. There are plenty of police and other officials along the way she can ask if she has problems. I dont know about the trolleys either I'm sorry as I didnt use one.

Cheers

 

[Darren1968]

Lax

There are a few sites on the web which offer info and FAQ's about LAX.

Most of them have maps too.

http://www.lawa.org/lax/laxFAQs.cfm
http://www.airwise.com/airports/us/LAX/
http://www.iflylax.com/

 

[Bandita]

Hi Geoff,

What airline is she flying? I fly through LAX all the time on United - you must collect your bags in LAX international but once you pass through Customs and Immigration, you walk through an area where you can put your bags back onto a luggage belt (if it already has the luggage tags for her next flight). She would probably have to be flying the same airline or airline partner/alliance group for that to work. She should make sure to tell the agent when she checks in in Oz her final destination to see if they'll "check" the bags through to her final destination.

You can get a trolley (for free) in the Customs area, which I'm 99% sure you can take out of the building (although I've never had to because I can recheck the bags before exiting).

Tell her not to talk to the people who "look" like authority wearing tags and clipboards who are directly outside the terminals and check in's/arrivals - if you even give them eye-contact they will endlessly hassle you to donate to their charity or whatever it is they're selling. Only talk to actual airline officials - they will be in the security areas or in information booths.

Cheers,
Jen

 

[Kamak]

Geoff
I have been through LAX on more then one occassion and the immigration guys can be helpful or a real PITA and VERY stressful, especially for a little girl. Keep in mind though in the 3 odd years I was working there 99.99% of Americans I met were really helpful and honest but I am a trusting guy too. I would hate to hear she met soomeone from the 0.01%

Is it possible to fly one of the grandparents up there to meet her? I travelled a lot by myself at that age (and earlier) but Im not sure I'd want to be going through US immigration unaccompanied and transfering across LAX terminals. Sorry if thats not much help putting your mind at rest.

Perhaps one way to look at it is how much would you pay to resolve something that went wrong? Id be guessing more then an airfare for a gransparent from Mexico. Just a suggesstion.

 

[BayView]

I have a 14yo daughter travelling to Mexico City, to spend 7 months with her grandparents.

She changes flights at LAX, and she's vey scared about the prospect.

She arrives from terminal 6, and departs from Tom Bradley.

What's the best, and safest, way for her to travel with two extremely big suitcases and carry on, for her to transfer? Or is there anybody at the airport who she could ask for help?

Is she scared of LAX, or just the new experience of flying alone?

I think she will be perfectly safe in LAX, (LA isn't that bad) and if she goes up to the Info desks there and tells them what she needs to do they will be very helpful. There may even be a free shuttle bus.
It isn't far to T.B, but it may be adviseable for her to get a taxi from out front if there's no shuttle.

Also, there are loads of porters outside the doors these days, and for a couple of dollars (maybe $10) they may even walk her up to the terminal, or, at the very least, load her bags into a taxi, and unload them and take them into the next terminal when she arrives in the taxi.

 

[Petal]

Also Geoff remember to get global roaming for her mobile phone (quick call to your phone provider to set it up) and program your number in to her mobile with the correct codes in front of it.

 

[geoffw]

Thanks all for the comments. They've been passed on, and hopefully taken on board (so to speak).

She's now on the plane, so all which could have been done has been done.

Thank you to all who have taken at least some of the stress away from a worried parent and daughter.

 

[geoffw]

Also Geoff remember to get global roaming for her mobile phone (quick call to your phone provider to set it up) and program your number in to her mobile with the correct codes in front of it.

Petal

My understanding was that the USA (along with Canada and Mexico) use a different cellphone system to ours- and that any Australian mobile is unworkable over there.

We did provide her with an international phonecard, so that she can let us know if there's any problems at LAX. That was about the next best thing.

(Straight after telling her to be extremely careful with all her belongings, especially when tired, as I was waiting to get a phonecard at the Forex kiosk, the guy in front of me left his passport on the counter )

 

[TheCamel]

geoffw - triband mobile phones (which most ones now are) definitely work in the US, and in Tahiti..

I hope it all goes well for your daughter

 

[geoffw]

I didn't know that- I haven't been keeping up with technology

However, I'm not sure that I'd want to give a 14yo a mobile with unlimited access anywhere in the world

But I'll keep it in mind for next year when MrsW goes over (in about May if things go to plan).

 

[dcarr]

How to get through American customs:

When the customs agent asks you, "Are you here for business or pleasure?" - smile and nod pleasantly as if you don't understand.

"Are you a member of a terrorist organisation?" - again, smile and nod happily.

"Do you have a grudge against the United States?" - smile and nod.

"Are you carrying weapons of mass destruction?" - smile and nod.

About now there'll be a siren and red light flashing directly over your head. Do not be alarmed as the 4 uniformed guards approach. You'll simply be shown to another room, where after some confused discussion a few sheets of paper written in German will be thrust in front of you to sign. Simply sign this, smiling and nodding, and then some very nice people will personally escort you and all your things straight to your departure lounge and wait with you until your flight leaves.

Worked great for me when transiting through Miami, Florida en route to Europe!

 

[auspony]

Well since I live here in LA and use the airport lots (and belong to www.frequentflyer.com.au ) here are some answers.

If she's arriving into T6 she is flying United. After she passes through immigration (passport check and fingerprint) she will collect her bags and pass through customs. Where she collects her bags should be trolleys for free (for international arrivals in T4 and T6 I believe). If you arrive domestically and or are departing you can get a trolley from the trolley dispenser - I think it's $3-4. They accept cash and major credit cards.

All passengers travelling through a US airport need to enter US through immigration and then connect "landside" to their second international flight - there is no such thing as staying in transit in the US since 9/11.

As she exits there are 3 scenarios:

• If United and Mexicana (which I assume she is flying to Mexico City, but you shold check) "interline" then her bags would have been checked all the way through to MEX when she checks in in Australia - this is easy to find out - call United and they will tell you. IN this case it's a very easy 10 min walk (turning left out of T6) to Tom Bradley INternational Terminal (TBIT)
• If there is no interlining between United and her second airline she can exit T6 with her trolley, turn left and push it to TBIT - it's not that bad, and it will be morning - lots of cops around - not dangerous at all
• She can also exit T6, take her bags off the trolley and get on any of the LAX parking shuttles which will take her (the very long way) to TBIT

I would recommend that she walks - it is really not that bad, not dangerous at all, no roads to cross, etc... Once she gets to TBIT walking remind her she will need to take the lift or escalator upstairs to departures level as she would have walked on the arrivals level.

You should also inquire with United about UM and YPTA assistance if you're really concerned and she's nervous. Each terminal has Info/helpers/volunteers in red coats who will be helpful.

hope this helps.

P.S. depending on when she is coming through, I would be prepared to do a favour for a fellow aussie and meet her and help her make her way to TBIT. I live 15 mins from LAX (if no traffic - ie not a weekday morning or afternoon/evening) and could even do it on the way to Costco in the morning

 

[geoffw]

Auspony

Thank you for the offer, it's very generous.

But sh'e now arrived at her destination in Mexico City, tired but safe, having negotiated all that a busy airport can throw at her. More power to her.

She was talking to an American lady in the plane, who guided her to the right airline help desk. The airline helped her with the "meet and assist". She is now happily playing with many of her younger cosins- something she loves.

Thank you all for your help.

Signed- very relieved Dad.

 

[LynnH]

Geoff

So glad to hear that everything went smoothly for your daughter!! If she is anything like my 3 angels, there'll be no stopping her from now on!

Cheers
LynnH

 

[Kamak]

Geoff stoked all went well mate!!!!!!!!!!

 

[geoffw]

Now she's been in Mexico for a few days.

She's absoultely LOVING it there. And she's trying her best with the language- English is not very widely spoken in Mexico. And we're getting excellent reports about hos she's fitting in, about her bwehaviour and manners- everything a parent worries about when their child is with someone else.

I couldn't be a prouder or happier dad.

 

[nomadic]

Now she's been in Mexico for a few days.

She's absoultely LOVING it there. And she's trying her best with the language- English is not very widely spoken in Mexico. And we're getting excellent reports about hos she's fitting in, about her bwehaviour and manners- everything a parent worries about when their child is with someone else.

I couldn't be a prouder or happier dad.

Great to hear she made it safely. Mexico is an awesome country but it is hard to travel around if you don't know some basic Spanish... hardly anyone speaks English as you mentioned. I remember i had to get from Xela in Guatemala to the Mexican border and had an Israeli mate drum this into me so i'd find my way ok:
donde esta el autobus a la frontera (where is the bus to the border?)
I kept this repeating this and a few other words i'd picked up until i made it... great times

 

[geoffw]

i had to get from Xela in Guatemala to the Mexican border and had an Israeli mate drum this into me so i'd find my way ok:
donde esta el autobus a la frontera (where is the bus to the border?)

I had a friend who travelled up from South America to Mexico. He learnt the Spanish for "I want to catch a bus" (quiero cojer un autobus). But in Mexico he had somebosy who explained to him- "You leant that in South America, I understand. But here, that means 'I want to (do rude things to) a bus'". He very quickly learnt to change his phrasing.

 

[geoffw]

My 14yo is still in Mexico, the 18yo travelled there several weeks ago (she did have global roaming). Getting to Mexico was not a problem- getting back was. She kept asking directions, and kept getting misdirected.

I had been working at Subway, trying to cover the workload of two people away. Just as lunch rush was slightly slowing down, I noticed 4 missed calls on my mobile, from my daughter- in a huge panic. Firstly, "Dad, why didn'y you pick up?". Then I had to panic to try to work something else- onto the net for an airport map, calling the airline in Australia to see if they could help. Something that nobody had told her when giving direction- just like many, or most, airports, departures and arrivals are on different levels.


She did make it, but only just.

 

[battle on]

Geoff I had the same problem myself. Found the Departure area was not very well marked at all but after a bit of searching found it eventually. Your 14yr old might need a map off older sister maybe.