LAX issues?

[mb2456]

Hi All,
The girls and I are flying out of LAX (Los Angeles) this Friday for Orlando and then start our first Disney Cruise (7 day Eastern). We're flying out the day before as has been suggested on this board many times.

My question is for the West Coast travelers. It's been awhile since traveling out of LAX (usually fly out of John Wayne) Have you had any problems getting your trip started through LAX? Any hints when traveling with two kids (11 and 16) through the airport?

We're flying Delta non-stop in the morning, arriving early evening in Orlando. Catching the boat the next day.

Any traveling hints would be appreciated......

Thanks
Mike

 

[videogal1]

Originally posted by mb2456
Hi All,


My question is for the West Coast travelers. It's been awhile since traveling out of LAX (usually fly out of John Wayne) Have you had any problems getting your trip started through LAX? Any hints when traveling with two kids (11 and 16) through the airport?
Any traveling hints would be appreciated......

Thanks
Mike

Pack a lunch. That's a long haul...

 

[tap & dap]

Let me start by saying this is just MY opinion, but I think LAX is the worst airport in the country to fly out of. When they recommend getting there 2 hours early, you need every bit of that 2 hours at LAX.

The lines for security run out onto the streets at times. It is the only airport where a police officer has threatened to issue me a ticket for stopping on the curbside to drop off our luggage and we were actively unloading the car. not just sitting there.

Time before last, we left on Southwest everyone had to remove their shoes even if they were gym shoes and you knew the detector would not be set off, really slowed the line down everyone arguing with the girl.

We have flown into and out of LAX 4-5 times in the last year or so, even though we live in Chicago. It seems the wait for luggage there is always 45 minutes to an hour.

I much prefer Orange County, but many times the cheap flights are to LAX and not SNA.

I would say just allow the 2 hours suggested and you will be fine.

 

[lkohawaii]

Wear tennis shoes to go. My DD age 6 at the time had comfortable sandles on. We didn't know that they had a metal rod in the soles of them. We were really late for our flight and the metal detector at the gate went off. They did a full search of her and her shoes (went thorough the X-ray). They wouldn't let me go anywhere near her. She was sooo scared not knowing what was going on and we were stressed because our plane was boarding. Never thought of metal in shoes but if that machine goes off they search you throughly. Of course I rather have that happen than be on a hijacked plane so just try to avoid any hassles.
Oh, and we always fly out of LAX to come home to Hawaii. The lines are usually long....so go early and use the skycaps they're worth the little tip you give them ( I think they can even get overweight luggage on for you..but I'm not positive...just depends on the guy)

 

[CruisingCA2005]

We've been getting to the airport 2 hours ahead of time as recommended and we usually end up going through check-in & security without any problems. I suppose it depends on what time of day you're travelling though. I try to take everything out of my pockets & put it into the carryon bag so that I won't hold up the security line for everyone else. You don't always have to remove your shoes but if you're prepared to just slip off your shoes, you won't hold up everyone else in line.

We've flown on Continental, Southwest, Air Canada, & Hawaiian over the past year and haven't had a problem getting through security.

Have your kids bring snacks, music, books, laptops, etc. to keep them busy.

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

Hi! You will be AOK from LAX! When we fly out, we always get a morning flight. On June 10th, we had a 7:30 a.m. flight on American from LAX to MCO. We left the house at 3:30 a.m. and we're 30 minute away without traffic. Parking and taking a shuttle were taken in to account for. Our plane actually boarded early, and we only had time this time to sit for a few minutes at the terminal even with all that leeway! We park our car at the Crowne Plaza long term lot and use our AAA discount. It's off Century Blvd. We then take their shuttle to the airline terminal. We always check luggage at the counter. This time, we had to go to a separate place to have our luggage checked after we checked in. We had checked in online prior, but since I did not want our luggage checked curbside, we had to do this. We empty everything from our pockets going through security and anything metal from the backpacks! DS13 goes first with his backpack and then watches our valuables coming through. I follow, then dd9, then dh. This was the first time we were not checked in a long time. Each of our children take a backpack with their flying items (books, CDs, players, gameboys, magazines), and I always have gum and lifesavers. This time, I made each of them use a Zicam nose swab in the airport restroom prior to boarding. Nobody got sick this time! I also carried Purell for the first time in my purse, and we all used it several times. We also bring some snacks, even though we had a meal on each flight and a light snack provided. The rolling luggage of today with attachments for other rolling luggage keeps the neck and back free of stress! Make sure each of your suitcases have luggage tags with all info. clearly written. Get an airline tag for backpacks if the backpacks do not have ID. Have a wonderful trip, it will be all you dream of!!!

 

[Maleficent59]

mb2456: Congrats on your first (upcoming) Disney Cruise! You'll have a blast!

As others have recommended, try to get to the airport a bit earlier than you would normally for flying out of SNA. If you need to park your car, allow additional time. Double check your airline's luggage restrictions (size and weight). I usually pack a lightweight duffle bag and place it in the luggage on top of some items that could easily be transferred into the bag - just in case I go over the weight limit (on the way home).

At the security gate, I would recommend taking off your shoes and emptying your pockets regardless of if you think those items will set off the alarms. Depending on the threat level and the airport, the sensitivity on the metal detectors differ; some airports require that you take off your shoes. While I also prefer to fly in/out of SNA or ONT, we generally fly out of LAX to MCO because the flight times are better.

I usually pack my laptop with an extra battery pack so my DD can watch DVDs or play games at the airport and on the flight to Orlando. The best part is that the laptop serves double duty; I download my vacation photos on the laptop so I know my photos are backed up. My DD's carryon bag usually consists of a spare set of clothes, essential toiletries (toothbrush, etc), a couple of books/magazines, and some snacks. Ditto what Mom2Belle&PeterPan said about Zicam and Purell! Must haves for the flight. I also bring a couple of antihistimine tablets (i.e., Benadryl) in case the air pressure bothers our ears.

Have you considered stopping at a Disney Store to pick up a couple of items to give your girls as a surprise mid-flight? I usually wrap a small "present" to give my DD as a reward for being a good flier (aka "bribe").

Have a safe trip and enjoy your cruise!

 

[Magix]

Just flew out of LAX last weekend (the 4th). Didn't have any problems at all. It was fairly crowded when I flew out Saturday in the late morning. As long as you're not flying out of Terminal 1 (Southwest) you should be fine if you arrive a couple hours early. Delta is in Terminal 5, so it should be okay. Bring some kind of activities for the kids to occupy themselves while you sit around and wait for the plane. I always wait to eat until I get there, so it takes up a bit of my waiting time. There are some decent food places in the Delta terminal (California Pizza Kitchen is great). Just arrive early, know where you want to park (I recommend Lot C - park near the bus depot), and know which terminal you need. If you can do web check-in before leaving home, give it a try - I've found it to be a big time saver at the airport. All you need to do is check your bags when you get there. Shouldn't be a big problem.

 

[dletz]

Originally posted by tap & dap
The lines for security run out onto the streets at times. It is the only airport where a police officer has threatened to issue me a ticket for stopping on the curbside to drop off our luggage and we were actively unloading the car. not just sitting there.

At LAX the driver may not leave the car at any time. If they see the driver get out of the car, even to unload or load bags, the will come running. I can't tell you how many times I've seen that happen. The other area airports aren't quite as bad, but here, when they say you must stay with your car, they mean in it.

 

[LiserAnn]

We just got back from WDW...did non-stop American Airlines from LAX (we normally do John Wayne or Ontario). Arrive early!! We had an early morning flight so we did priceline and got a $55 rate at the Hyatt which is just by the airport. I'm not sure if you're parking your car, but if you are, go to www.ampcoexpress.com and get a $2 off per day coupon (drops the price to $8 per day). It's located at the Sheraton...great deal there...the ampco shuttle will take you right to the terminal you need (and pick you up on the return...they're always there). Allow at least 20 minutes for that process. Having said that, I suggest curb side check in if you can (we tip $1 per suitcase). The lines inside are long. Make sure your suitcases are within the airlines weight guidelines, otherwise they'll send you inside and you'll have to pay a bag overage fee. American charges if it's over 50 lbs...$25 I think. You can check Delta's website for that info. Other than that, that's all I can think of. It's a long trip and the food they serve on the plane stinks, so bring snacks!

Have a great time!!

Lisa

 

[LiserAnn]

Originally posted by dletz
At LAX the driver may not leave the car at any time. If they see the driver get out of the car, even to unload or load bags, the will come running. I can't tell you how many times I've seen that happen. The other area airports aren't quite as bad, but here, when they say you must stay with your car, they mean in it.

Let's remember LAX is the airport where a few years back an alert inspector (at the Canadian border, I believe) caught a man who was on his way to LAX with bomb/s to blow up the airport. I believe this was shortly before 9/11. And I've also been flying into LAX where our flight was delayed TWICE because of bomb threats in the terminal. That's why they're so careful. I have it on good authority that LAX has been an ongoing target for terrorists (something the media doesn't always report on), so the police at LAX don't mess around. Unfortunately it's one of the few airports in So Cal where you can actually still get a direct flight.