Very LAX standards (Los Angeles International Airport (LAX))

Member Name: andyneil

Product:	Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Date:	28/09/01 (124 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: If going to LA its convienieant (ish, actually hard to get to town from unless hire car)

Disadvantages: Slow, rude, inefficient, badly laid out, no coffee early in morning.

On RTW trip had to use LA airport far too many times for plane changes etc. First time we flew in and were spending a week in area before out to Mexico. Arrived and stood in line for about three hours to get through immigration, officials keot walking off, taking breaks, chatting to each other and generally annoying me by being so slow (and I say slow not thorough). They had people with spare forms and checking people in the queue had filled them in properly etc., however these people were normally wrong, had people throwing out slips they need or fill in the wrong colour card, so when they finally reached the front there was a bigger hold-up. They also could not decide whether Canadians could use the US lane or not, so sheparded them frequently from one line to another. Glad I did not have a transfer as there was a long line of people who missed their connections.

Once out we asked the information lady directions on how to get a bus to town. She did not know (anything). Explainned the concept of buses to her, public transport that kind of thing and gave up in the end. It turns out that you can get the free bus to car park 3, and next to that is the public transport. Buses are not frequent, but very cheap, bit slow though. Driver was very helpful and told us when to get off.

Next experience a week later was leaving at 6ish in the morning to Mexico City. Different terminal, just as bad. Lines of people all over the place, baggage piled up, staff looking very fraught (really hope it was the end of their shifts as if it was the start it would be a long day). None of the shops were open, and there were only two or three in the terminal we were in. So no duty free for me, but worse no coffee which I was gagging for at that time. Took off on time though.

Next had to change there from Mexico to Toronto. This time, another different terminal, straight through immigration quickly and stopped by some jobsworth at customs. LAX has some
stupid rule that people transfering have to pick up their luggage, carry it through customs then had it in for transfer to next plane. Why? The bag never needs to 'enter' the country. Anyway we had visited Cuba, which odf course the US are still a bit anal about. So cross examined on that, yes we knew Americans can't go there, no we had not bought cigars and on and on. Tried to be polite and smile but bloke was idiot and sent us for full search, so go to have my bags gone through (x-ray machines would show up cigars if they actually cared, although all Cuban things are illegal). Meet a nice bloke who thinks that proposturous, understands British people can go there AND that we were transferring so has to get a supervisor to sign us off and lets us go unsearched.

Make it to next terminal for plane, very overcrowded, very poor security measures and full of people without boarding passes. Has a few shops if you like that kind of thing, mostly with long queues and fat, unhelpful staff. Departure area is also full of solicitors (not lawyers, people selling stuff), hot and understaffed. Glad to fly out and know not returning to LA airport again. Each time was a long, slow painful experience for different reasons.

Summary: