How long to get through LAX?

SkyHog

SkyHog

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Everything Offends Me
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I am in a time crunch tomorrow - I have a flight that boards at 3:30 tomorrow, and I am running my staff meeting from 1-2 (which I can't get out of, since I don't get to see my team in person very often). How early do I need to arrive at the airport? I have to check a bag, unfortunately, and return a rental car, so I think I might get to the airport around 3pm, which doesn't leave a bunch of time...

Am I hosed?
 
SkyHog said:
I am in a time crunch tomorrow - I have a flight that boards at 3:30 tomorrow, and I am running my staff meeting from 1-2 (which I can't get out of, since I don't get to see my team in person very often). How early do I need to arrive at the airport? I have to check a bag, unfortunately, and return a rental car, so I think I might get to the airport around 3pm, which doesn't leave a bunch of time...

Am I hosed?
Click to expand...

Yes. Next question?
 
Well allow at least an hour prior to boarding. Security at LAX is a mother****er.
 
Are you good at making a scene and pleading for help from the Too-Stupid-for-Arbys types? I've pulled it off with only 15 minutes before, but I'm super sweetness and light when I need to be, in a government-drone compatible way. I also never check bags or drop rentals.

The trouble is the rental car yards are all off-airport, so the shuttle itself adds 15 damn minutes. Checking a bag will take another 15. TSA likely 15-30. Jog to the Gate is up to 10. You're in "death of a thousand cuts" mode dude.

Confidence is low. :/
 
Well, the meeting ends at 2, and I'm right at Imperial Highway and Nash, so its just right around the corner from the rental return lot...that makes me think I might be able to get to the lot at like 2:30. Then take the shuttle to the terminal and check bags.

Provided things go well...maybe that means I will have like 45 minutes or so. I don't think I can trim it any more than that. I suppose I can try to wrap the meeting a bit early...
 
SkyHog said:
Well, the meeting ends at 2, and I'm right at Imperial Highway and Nash, so its just right around the corner from the rental return lot...that makes me think I might be able to get to the lot at like 2:30. Then take the shuttle to the terminal and check bags.

Provided things go well...maybe that means I will have like 45 minutes or so. I don't think I can trim it any more than that. I suppose I can try to wrap the meeting a bit early...
Click to expand...

Cab it if time is that tight.
 
Well, I think it's time to play hollywood tourist and start auditioning for your part tomorrow. :D Here are your lines:

"Help, help, can anyone help me?"

<motivation: sincere panic, non-threatening, non-demanding>

"My plane leaves in 20 minutes, what should I do?"

<motivation: slight resignation, appeal to a higher power, "searching for superman">

"The Gate Agent said to check with you -- my plane is boarding right now, she said you'd get me to the gate"

<motivation: slightly peeved, "You're the fourth person the operator transferred me to, but I know it's not your fault", business stoicism with a twist of "i'm behaving but under duress">

"I'm so fired if I miss this flight -- can you do anything?"

<motivation: doom, persecution, why-does-this-always-happen-to-me complex. "Help a brother out this one time">

GL tomorrow.
 
Do you have status on the airlines? That can save 10-15 mins
Can you get someone to drop you off in your car and return it for you? That can save another 15-20 mins
Bring your bag to the gate and play dumb and gate check. Might be a fee but would save another 10 mins or so.
 
SkyHog said:
I am in a time crunch tomorrow - I have a flight that boards at 3:30 tomorrow, and I am running my staff meeting from 1-2 (which I can't get out of, since I don't get to see my team in person very often). How early do I need to arrive at the airport? I have to check a bag, unfortunately, and return a rental car, so I think I might get to the airport around 3pm, which doesn't leave a bunch of time...

Am I hosed?
Click to expand...

Depends where you are . . .but 'boards at 330p' seems to imply a 4p departure and you can't leave where til 2p?

If its El Segundo then no problem.

If its Santa Monica - maybe - if you take Lincoln.

Century City - Downtown - the Valley - not a freaking chance.


oh, wait - I saw - Imperial and Nash - no problem. . .
 
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comanchepilot said:
Depends where you are . . .but 'boards at 330p' seems to imply a 4p departure and you can't leave where til 2p?

If its El Segundo then no problem.

If its Santa Monica - maybe - if you take Lincoln.

Century City - Downtown - the Valley - not a freaking chance.
Click to expand...

Its El Segundo.
 
SkyHog said:
Its El Segundo.
Click to expand...

Assuming you can leave the meeting at 210p and run up Aviation Blvd - don't take Sepulveda. There is a gas station at the corner of Sepulveda and Century to refill -

Then find the rental lot and you'll be at the terminal prob around 245-3.

You are gonna need to kiss the TSA rear, and they'll let you through in 5 min or so along with the weight -

Check your inbound - hope its not Terminal 1 - seems like all the first time fliers always take Southwest . . .
 
comanchepilot said:
Assuming you can leave the meeting at 210p and run up Aviation Blvd - don't take Sepulveda. There is a gas station at the corner of Sepulveda and Century to refill -

Then find the rental lot and you'll be at the terminal prob around 245-3.

You are gonna need to kiss the TSA rear, and they'll let you through in 5 min or so along with the weight -

Check your inbound - hope its not Terminal 1 - seems like all the first time fliers always take Southwest . . .
Click to expand...

The gate is not yet assigned, but its a United Express flight (SkyWest if it helps).

I like your timing - I'm gonna try to get out of the parking garage by 2:10, taking Imperal down to Aviation, dropping the car off by 2:30 hopefully. Then, grab the shuttle to the terminal and get there by 2:45 hopefully. Then, check my bag and get to the security line by 3:00, hopefully. Then, hopefully, I'll get to the actual gate by 3:45, which will leave me approximately 10 minutes to run to the gate just in time to keep them from closing the door on me....

What could possibly go wrong?
 
The longest wait is going to be in the security theater. I've been automagically put on a later flight because I checked a bag 58 minutes prior to departure...
 
Yes it's a problem.

Since you are the boss, just start the meeting earlier.

Gary
 
Go to the airport and check bags at noon, ditch the rental, make one of your team members drive you right to the gate. Teamwork and all. Trample old ladies. Home for the weekend.
 
Give a homeless guy bottle of MD20/20, and have him buy a burner phone. Have him call in an anonymous tip that something dangerous is in the checked baggage of that plane. This delays the flight and allows you to make it with no problem.
 
ClimbnSink said:
Go to the airport and check bags at noon, ditch the rental, make one of your team members drive you right to the gate. Teamwork and all. Trample old ladies. Home for the weekend.
Click to expand...

Or have someone ship your bag Fedex/UPS to home. Ditch the car early, if possible.
 
You realize, of course, that you will have to report back on how this turned out, don't you? :D
 
I left the office at 1:40, drove to National. took their shuttle to the airport and got to check in my bag at about 2:05.

took the escalator upstairs and wound up in front of the entire line of people to get through security and was at my gate at 2:15, and that's with opting out and getting my balls caressed by a nice young Latino man.

boom! I rock.

thanks for the help y'all!
 
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