LAX Clubhouse?>?

Can anyone give me some information on the lounge at LAX?

I always fly from LAX and each tiome can go into thelounge but as i am always late to UC check in i never have time is it any good?

thanks
Jon:)

LAX doesnt have a clubhouse I believe VS has an agreement with Air Canada to use theirs..
I haven't been but i'm sure others will add their thoughts:D

[Bazz]

Jon, as Jonathan says VAA do not have a Clubhouse at LAX, they do invite UC pax to use the AC Maple Leaf lounge in T2. It is not a Clubhouse but VAA have their own staff on duty and provide little extras over and above what the AC pax get. The lounge is airside on the upper level on the opposite side to the lift.

[HighFlyer]

Are there any in the near future for a LAX clubhouse? Strikes me as a destintion that really warrants one

[Bazz]

As far as I am aware there are no plans currently, there is no room in T2 for one [:(]

T2 is need of a remodeling soon, perhaps when that is done, VS will get their own clubhouse

[Bazz]

I do hope you are right [^]

Well, believe it or not i have never made it into the AC lounge...I have been told twice now that it was full so have been sent to the NW Lounge.

Only cheese and buscuits and cookies and no VS Staff...did ask to go to the AC lounge but was told no!

If you can fly back from SFO...it's worth it!

VS have been campaigning for LAX to prepare itself for the A380 - perhaps a clubhouse is included in these negotiations with the airport?

Hey there Jaime

What did you mean when they turned you away why could you not get in if you can go into that lounge how can they send you to NWs one? Is the air canada one better than the nw? Does virgin have some clubhouse perks in the air canada lounge for its LAX travellers?

thanks
Jon

[Bazz]

Hi Jon,

All airline lounges have a maximum capacity, this is usually posted on a notice somewhere, Fire Regs, etc.,

The NW Lounge is okay but a bit basic, it is also the T2 Priority Pass Lounge.

... and yes VS do provide some extras for the UC pax using the AC Lounge, as I stated in this thread a few posts back.

hi bazz

What extras do you get at the LAX AC lounge, as Ithink I might start to actually go to the lounge raather than be late as i usually am arrivign at the UC check in and have to go right through!

Thanks
Jon

I'd assumed that when we were directed to the NW lounge in February that it was because we were travelling PE and lounge access was courtesy of my (then) Gold status. I wouldn't be happy at having to use the NW lounge if I was a J-fare paying passenger. Does anyone if the lounge access is allocated on status or if it's first come, first served for the AC lounge?

Luke

Terminal 2 at LAX is a hole (sorry to any LA residents- no offense!). Have you ever arrived internationally when Air NZ has 2 744's and 763 land along with VS with a 744-it is mayhem and just crazy. The immigration area is too small, the baggage hall cannot accomodate that number of flights arriving (and the screens only show flight numbers- not good for those who dont no there flight number and bad when u have 3 flights with NZ prefix!although i didnt have a prob!) The transfers desk is also way too small and right in the way of those trying to exit through international arrivals. The new security/immigration laws dont help. Majority of Air NZ pax are transiting for LHR but they all have to collect bags, get passports stampped, go through customs and then recheck in! So that is 400 pax trying to connect at the tiny connections desk plus all the VS pax and remaining NZ pax (another 600) trying to exit- it is one nightmare that is for sure!

Onto the lounges- i honestly dont no what happens but surprises me that the Air NZ longe isnt used at all. After we are linked more closly with them than AC! LAX airport are taking there time over upgrading to handle the A380 as the no no other LA airport can handle an a/c of that size and VS, QF, SQ arent about to axe LAX off there route list. JFK and LHR have had to act because of the ever present threat of EWR and LGW!

quote:Originally posted by willd
Terminal 2 at LAX is a hole ...

I have to agree - VA have certainly drawn the short straw compared to the Tom Bradley Terminal. The check-in is so tight as to be unrealistic - thank the gods I can check in at the UC desk with my Gold card - even when on a PE junket - getting through to the Y desks is a nightmare. Also be careful what you pack in your luggage - this is true of all US airports. The system there allows the security people (normally 1 day's training short of a job at McDonalds) to x-ray bags - see what's in them and then rip them open to get at the valuables - you're not allowed to lock them. A couple of collegues have lost stuff in this way.

The lounge is OK but if you're going to eat then get in there fast and order - they don't seem to have a very large fridge or at least not the last time I was there in May.

Phil

[Bazz]

quote:Originally posted by BuffyTVS65
...The system there allows the security people (normally 1 day's training short of a job at McDonalds) to x-ray bags - see what's in them and then rip them open to get at the valuables - you're not allowed to lock them. A couple of collegues have lost stuff in this way...
Phil

Sorry Phil but you are allowed to lock them please see this topic for further info.

[/quote]

Sorry Phil but you are allowed to lock them please see this topic for further info.
[/quote]

Yes this point needs to be cleared up. on INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS you are allowed to lock on INTERNAL you are NOT. 2 point guide!:

1. Whilst VS may say you are not allowed to, they only say this so that if you do lock and ur bags get ripped apart or damaged that you cannot claim on arrival at LHR/LGW. They are covering themselves basically.

2. On no international flight departing the US have I been told not to unlock bags as i mentioned in the thread in 'ask a guru' i believe it to be braking the law to lock on internal flights in the US but not on international flights because Congress cannot pass a worldwide law only a domestic law (ie: only enforce in US) therefore as you are flying to an international destination and will be technically off US Soil once through airside they cannot say its braking the law. Therefore they can only advise on international flights not to lock. If you are told its braking the law and to unlock at international check in its because of a moody check in assistant. But i doubt you will be told to unlock due to braking the law- only advised to unlock!

To add to the confusion- you are braking the law to lock on internal flights in the US as "federal law" says you are but as my charming (NOT) UA check in assitant told me on a TED flight its up to the pax. to quote "Sir, if you want your bags to be ripped apart then dont unlock. If they want to look in ur bag and its locked they will just rip it open. Its up to you". The law was passed under the Homeland Security act of earl 2002.

PS: Please move to other thread if u think ness.

Sorry, Willd, but there is no problem locking any bags in the US on either domestic or international travel, provided that you use TSA approved locks. More information is available on the TSA website.

Oh no - can opened, worms everywhere.

Thanks for (ermm) clearing this up for me.

Seriously thanks for the new info and I'll be heading out to get TSA approved locks at the earliest opportunity.

LAX T2 is still a dive though;)

Phil

I've never really given it a lot of thought since I never put anything special or valuable in my luggage, I have left my cases unlocked on internal US flights (they are the only ones where I have been asked to)

We usually fly home from LAX and as has been said in previous posts, you can wait next to where they scan the bags and watch the security people lock them after they have searched them.

However after reading these posts I'm sure my turn will come where I'll arrive at the carousel to find my clothes scattered around.[:(]

I have left it too late to try and get some TSA approved locks as we go on Friday and I don't know where I can get any locally, so my questions are:

1) Is there anywhere at MAN landside, where I could buy them so that I can get them on the cases prior to sending them on their way to SFO via LHR?

2) We have one of those hard Carleton cases that has a "clip" type combination lock. Doea anyone else use those and if so, what do you all do to secure them?

Shaz

quote:I have left my cases unlocked on internal US flights (they are the only ones where I have been asked to)

I've never been asked to - but have been asked if my luggage is locked and if so I'd get the opportunity to go across to the screening post if it needed to be examined.

Cheers

Michael

SNA1K maybe you are correct but someone needs to point this out to United Airlines and American and the TSA at LAX + SFO + LGA then becuase they say it is against federal law to lock your bag on internal flights! Abnd when i say 'say' i mean raise there voices. I believe the ruling says it is fine with TSA locks but if they want to get into a TSA locked bag they will regardless. Once again to quote the UA assistant:

"Sir, if you want your bags to be ripped apart then dont unlock. If they want to look in ur bag and its locked they will just rip it open. Its up to you".

That says it all at the end of the day it doesnt matter- either way locked or unlock with or without TSA approved locks- the TSA will bloody well open it if they want- its just ur choice as to if they destroy ur bag in the process.