If one is arriving in on an international flight to LAX...
Then how much time should one leave between the arrival time and a departure time for a local flight (would need to transfer from int. airport to domestic and the international arrival could be delayed)...

?

Busy season too (around New Years)

oh geez alex that's tough... what with all the homeland security crap. Before customs was a drag, now it's a circle of hell. i'd allow an hour just for that... then you've got to factor in the baggage pickup, and going through security... or can you stay within the cleared zone after customs?

[kimmydawn]

I just booked a flight for hubby and his father and they said to be there two hours in advance.

Hope that helps.

KD

[DocClyde]

You probably wont wanna hear, but 3-4 hours at least. The 2 hours KD mentioned, and then an hour or so in case more stuff turns up.

For all the residencies I went to for school, they told us to be there 2 hours early as well in case something went wrong, and those flights were domestic.

Hope this helps

Thanks guys. I tried google and different people had different ideas. One guy left 5 hours between international arrival time and domestic departure. He figured he would get to shower etc and he only just managed to make his flight and his arrival wasn't even delayed at all! Sounds like I should leave 4-5 hours between to be safe... Maybe closer to 5 incase there is a delay in the arrival time and / or they manage to lose my luggage...

I've got a different carrier for the international and the domestic flights so I'll need to collect my baggage and then check it in again. Just as bloody well (I think) since the frigging airport is non-smoking. Should be okay to walk to the different terminal? People were saying that it could be faster to walk than to shuttle and the weather would be alright?

Another question... Do I need a visa if I'm visiting for a couple weeks and have a return flight booked?

I have heard horror stories about people being strip searched so I'm a bit worried... Travelling on a NZ passport... We are military classified as 'neutral' so not sure whether to expect a hard time at customs... I've been told to make sure I have the name and address and phone number and contact person of where I'm staying because they often check and if you don't have one then you are likely to get packed back home. Also to make NO jokes and be deferential no matter what they say to you... I'm scared. Wah.

I think I don't need a visa but I'll have to check my passport...

http://wellington.usembassy.gov/do_i_need_a_visa.html

It is done on the basis of passport rather than country of residence and / or origin of flight - isn't it?

(Sorry, I don't get around much)

Have I forgotten something?????

Is there likely to be a problem with domestic luggage restrictions being less than international luggage restrictions? Or... Are they likely to go easy on me since most of the domestic travellers will be travelling light and I've just got off an international flight?

I could book the whole thing through one airline so I wouldn't need to get luggage and then check it in again but I'm flying on someones airpoints and he said it needs to be Quantas from Aus. to US. And then American within the US because of the way the airpoints work...

Should be alright. THis is what the US embassy in NZ says:

New Zealand's relationship with the United States in the post-World War II period was closely associated with the Australian, New Zealand, United States (ANZUS) security treaty of 1951, under which signatories agreed to consult in case of an attack in the Pacific and to "act to meet the common danger." During the postwar period, access to New Zealand ports by U.S. vessels contributed to the flexibility and effectiveness of U.S. naval forces in the Pacific.

Growing concern about nuclear testing in the South Pacific and arms control issues contributed to the 1984 election of a Labour government committed to barring nuclear-armed and nuclear-powered warships from New Zealand ports. The government's anti-nuclear policy proved incompatible with long-standing, worldwide U.S. policy of neither confirming nor denying the presence or absence of nuclear weapons onboard U.S. vessels.

Implementation of New Zealand's policy effectively prevented practical alliance cooperation under ANZUS, and after extensive efforts to resolve the issue proved unsuccessful, in August 1986 the United States suspended its ANZUS security obligations to New Zealand. Even after President George H.W. Bush's 1991 announcement that U.S. surface ships do not normally carry nuclear weapons, New Zealand's legislation prohibiting visits of nuclear-powered ships continues to preclude a bilateral security alliance with the U.S. The legislation enjoys broad public and political support in New Zealand. The United States would welcome New Zealand's reassessment of its legislation to permit that country's return to full ANZUS cooperation.

Despite suspension of U.S. security obligations, the New Zealand Government has reaffirmed the importance it attaches to continued close political, economic, and social ties with the United States and Australia. New Zealand is an active member of the global coalition in the War against Terrorism, and deployed SAS troops to Afghanistan, and naval and air assets to the Persian Gulf.

[Perna]

I would call the domestic carrier and ask them the question. They will have had the problem before. You need anyone in US to help from this end? I'm sure you'd have plenty of offers to help.

[sabby]

I've found that when traveling overseas, the carrier has NEVER lost my luggage either to or from my destination. I've been traveling at least once a year since 2001. That's not to say that my luggage has never been damaged though...grrrrr.

Alexandra....you can check out all the airlines and airports online to see what guidelines you need to follow for carryon luggage etc. Also for times between flights.

Also, I was under the assumption that visas were now required by anyone traveling to the US. I could be wrong about that though. This link should help you determine if you need a travel visa - http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1304.html

Good Luck!
sabby

check the website of the domestic carrier for baggage restrictions. You cannot carry anything fluid in your carry-on, and this includes tooth paste to some. No wine, no drinks, no hair stuff.. nothing.

i found european baggage restrictions less than north american... dunno about NZ vs US

you always have to collect your bags to go through customs... so they can check them if they want. Generally you hand them right back to an airline thingy if you're going right onto another flight though.. but that depends on the time b/w flights. Most airlines wont accept responsibility for baggage more than 2-3 hrs before a flight. We had to sit with ours all night once

4-5 hrs sounds safe.

thanks. it didn't really say about how much time to leave between flights. i did find a webpage where international travellers posted their experience of LAX, though. It varied. Some had no trouble - through in 20 minutes. Most took 3ish hours to get through. One guy just about missed his flight 5 hours later. Getting through customs can be a nightmare when you are travelling on a foreign passport - but the US embassy in NZ didn't seem to think that NZ was a security risk... That being said one of the bloody terrorists forged himself a NZ passport - so customs is a bit cautious with NZ passports now. Though I am a white, NZ born Kiwi and not a recent immigrant, still one never can tell whats going to happen at customs (strip searches are certainly not unheard of).

The US embassy in NZ has up to date visa information and they said you didn't need a visa so long as you were out of North America (including Mexico and Canada) within 60 days and you weren't going to be working or studying at all. There were other exceptions like criminal convictions and speeding fines... But my record is all good... There is an exemption for 'abuse / addiction to substances' too - good thing i don't have a perminent disease there, huh ;-)

US baggage restrictions tend to be higher, apparently, because people want to take all their make up and hair dryers and crap like that... There are more restrictions on carry on luggage in flights going into / out of the US after Sept. 11. Not quite so strict everywhere else. Must make sure I'm good about that so they have less reason to stop me...

When I've changed carrier on international to Australia then domestic within Australia I've never had any trouble with them WAVING the luggage restriction because they can see that I've just arrived on an international flight. I guess I was just wondering whether that is likely to happen or whether I'm more likely to get stuck with a fine...

Thanks for the help peoples.

[(JD)]

From what I know, having to be at the airport 2 hours on a normal (non holiday) flight in country is just barely enough time when there are mitigating circumstances. (Then, add need to use restroom, or buy water or food...)

I would say at least 4 hours on an international flight...but would count on 6 personally. Now, IF you arrive and do not have to leave the checked-in area, you wouldn't need as much time. This is assuming you don't have to go back through baggage check in since the airlines should be swapping your luggage and you've already entered the secure area and haven't left it. THEN I would say 4 hours might be enough.

I would need to change terminals. I figured... See, I don't know LAX at all... But I figured... I would arrive at whatever terminal... Collect my baggage... Then have to queue to get through customs. How long that took would depend on how many flights arrived around the time I'm trying to queue.

Then... I would need to get myself to the domestic terminal (I heard that it is often faster to walk than to catch a free shuttle bus and that the weather was typically fine. Though... This will be January and I have no idea on what the climate will be like... Then, once I get to the domestic terminal I'd need to Queue to check in luggage for the domestic flight. Because I'd certainly have more luggage than mere carry-on.

Also... I'm sure I'll be DYING for a cigarette about then... But I figure I need to collect my luggage and then check it in again precisely because I have an international carrier for flight in (Quantas) then an American carrier for the domestic flight (booking the flights seperately). So... 5 hours, I thought. And hope that I don't get detained with customs (since they will want to check everything out before letting me through and I've heard LAX can be a ***** with that if you are on an international passport.

Okay so... How much better would it be to go via SFO instead of LAX???

[LMo]

I like SFO better...

Or better yet, fly into Portland and visit me first - our airport was voted the best in the country:

http://www.kgw.com/business/stories/...1cf7e5aab.html

Now wouldn't that be fun??

[Gemstone]

I agree you will want 4-5 hours at least. I like SFO better than LAX as well, but I haven't had experience with either post 9/11.

Last year coming back from Europe I gave us 4 hours between landing at Newark and departing on a domestic to go back home. The plane circled around Newark for an hour waiting to land. Luggage Claim was a nightmare and the customs wait was even worse. We didn't have problems in customs it was just the wait. We got through customs, rechecked our bags and then went to go wait in the security line to get to our terminal. The line was awful there as well. We ended up running to catch the plane even though it had a half hour delay boarding. I thought we would have had time to sit and grab a bite to eat but it was a complete nightmare and this was in October. January will be much worse. On top of everything they lost our luggage between Newark and Baltimore so we had to deal with that once we landed.

A few tips for customs: Dress nice! I don't care who tells you it doesn't matter. I do a lot of traveling and I have only ever had a problem when I dress casually (jeans and t-shirt). If I wear a dress or a skirt they waive me right through.

Check anything you have a question about. I've had them take mascara from me before. Throw your whole makeup bag in the checked luggage. Don't even bother with shampoo or stuff like that. It weighs down your bag and you can get it when you get here. Unless they have changed it you can't even check a lighter.

Be prepared at customs. Have your paperwork filled out and keep answers short. Smile. Where are you from, Where are you going, What is the purpose of the trip, Do you have anything to declare is what I get in most other countries. Sometimes they throw in a what is your profession or do you have a criminal record.

As far as luggage make sure you check. All of them are different. 45 lbs seems to be the norm that I get and they are strict about it. If you are 46 lbs they will either charge you for the extra weight or they just wont take it. Keep in mind that carryons space will be smaller in the domestic plane.

I hope you have a great trip. The airport stuff really sucks, but what can you do if you want to travel.