Meeting at LAX

[ParkFreak]

Ok, here's a poser for you Los Angeleans!

This Saturday, my friends will be arriving at LAX about a half hour before me at terminal 7 (united) I'll be arriving at terminal 4 (american) What would be the best place for us to meet up? I'm assuming they'll have their luggage by the time my flight arrives, but I've never been to LAX so I'm not sure how the baggage claim is layed out, etc. . . I hope it won't be too difficult or confusing! (we probably won't have cell phones to contact each other)

Most likely we'll be taking supershuttle together to get to the Anabella.

 

[albianne]

Haven't got an answer for you re: LAX, but would love to hear about your stay at the Annabella once you get back, that's where we are booked for 10 days mid November.

 

[noryglory]

Uh oh, guys, better read the "Just back" post and ask Pocahontas Look Alike what was wrong with her stay at the Annabella!

 

[LucyKate]

Here's a map of LAX which might help - http://www.lawa.org/lax/terminalMap.cfm

I'd suggest you get your friends to meet you at the Supershuttle stop out the front of terminal 4.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I agree with LucyKate. Your friends can take the free airport shuttle to Terminal 4, and wait for you at the SuperShuttle stop, or at baggage claim.

 

[ParkFreak]

Oh good, so there is a shuttle. . . is it easy to find? Is it a train type shuttle or is it more like a bus? I'm assuming that walking is out of the question?

As it turns out, one of my friends from Australia is on my flight! So we just have to get the other one to us. . .

Thanks for the airport info! And if anyone wants info on the Anabella, just mail me and I'll get back to you when I return!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

There is an outer curb that you walk to where you pick up all the shuttles. Each area is color coded - airport/parking shuttle, short-distance, long-distance busses, and nearby hotel shuttles. There are service people near the curb, and they have always been helpful to me when I ask which section to stand for the shuttles. I think the airport/parking shuttle section is blue (look for the painted sign hanging), and will be to the left. The next section has SuperShuttle (w/a person dressed in blue to help you), and other popular shuttle services.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Oh and I advise - no walking. LAX is pretty huge, and is in the shape of a horseshoe - you'd be on the opposite side, and would have to walk a long way to get to Terminal 4. It's doable, but not necessary w/the free shuttle.

 

[LucyKate]

Great advice (as always) from Mary Jo.

Do NOT walk between terminals - I did that once and it nearly killed me. It's a lot further than it looks (fatal last words - "oh, its only the next terminal") and is likely to be hot, sweaty and crowded.

But the shuttle stops are easy to find - walk out the door, cross the first lane (taxis and drops offs) and on to the island next next to the main road around the terminals and there are the shuttles pretty much right in front of you. There are a few benches, but by the time your friend has made the transfer, you should be just about there anyway.

 

[JennyG999]

LAX is in the shape of a horseshoe, and the shuttles travel counter-clockwise (so going by the terminals in "number order.") Your friend will have to take the shuttle almost out of the airport and back around again (not that far, but just tell him/her so that they don't worry!)

Terminal 7 (and 6 & 8) are all United, and seem for whatever reason to be the busiest, so I would recommend (as others have) that your friend come around to meet you at term. 4 (as opposed to you going to meet at term 7).

As others mentioned...there is an "outer curb" area on the baggage claim level (bottom). There will be the color coded areas for the different shuttle types.

The only thing I might mention...the terminals kinda run together, and from my recollection, there may be more than one terminal shuttle location per terminal (otherwise, maybe they kind of run together??) Since terminal 4 is the "first" terminal on that particular side, perhaps agree to meet at the FISRT Supershuttle location (that way you aren't waiting outside term 4 and they end up at term 5 or something like that.) I hope that isn't too confusing!!! Let me know, and I'll try to explain myself better.

 

[ParkFreak]

Thanks to all of you for your help! I think it will just be easiest to have him meet us at the baggage claim rather than at the supershuttle. Our flights leave in about 5 hours and I'm just getting in from work (bartender) I have a feeling I'll be spending the day in the hotel room relaxing and sleeping, avoiding Saturday crowds and making sure I'm well rested for Sunday!

 

[JennyG999]

Have fun!!!