A little help

[JamesnYuHong]

My wife got her CR-1 and she is coming alone through Los Angeles airport next week ...

 

Anyone have an idea what she is supposed to do? Where she is supposed to go? What papers she needs? I don't want her to get lost, and I don't know what to expect or how to prepare her.

[castaway109]

My wife got her CR-1 and she is coming alone through Los Angeles airport next week ...

 

Anyone have an idea what she is supposed to do? Where she is supposed to go? What papers she needs? I don't want her to get lost, and I don't know what to expect or how to prepare her.

159255[/snapback]

Congratulations...I wish I was...where you are! Anyway, does your wife read or speak English? If so there shouldn't be any problems just follow the signs for Immigration and Customs. All the papers she needs should be in her passport. There should be a visa page in there but she can bring her approval papers from the consulate just in case.

 

I envy you!! Best of luck.

[LeeFisher3]

When she arrives in LA she will first enter the Immigration clearance area, now with the K-1 visa my SO was given a packet by the consulate when she picked up her visa, I can only assume your wife would have the same thing.

 

When she picks up her visa there will be an instruction sheet with the passport telling her about this, I would assume she would have a sealed packet of papers telling her to hand carry them and her x-ray at entry. This is critical, do not pack these things in her luggage, she must hand carry them to the POE.

 

While on the plane they will hand out I-94 and Customs declaration forms. She will want to have these completed when she arrives, tell her to have a pen in her purse so she can complete these, the airline crews are always helpful in completing these.

 

At the POE there will be someone directing people as to which station they should go for processing, if her English is good then she can tell them she has a CR-1 visa, otherwise she should show them her visa. They will send her to the proper place.

 

They will then review the packet and visa, then stamp the visa and welcome her to the US.

 

The next thing she will need to do is collect her luggage. They have push carts in the luggage area and it would be good for her to get one. She can stack her luggage on this and procede through customs. Then she will leave the customs area with her luggage on the cart.

 

Hopefully you are going to meet her, you should be able to locate the customs area for the airline she will arrive and be able to wait for her to come though the door. Now it could take a while so be patient, if there are many international flights arriving at the same time it could take an hour or so. She will not be able to use a cell phone in the POE or customs area, no signal.

 

With the number of people who would be there I would suggest you arrange something to make your easily identifiable in a crowd, a red hat, a bright colored shirt, just something easy. You should also make sure she has your cell phone number, if you miss she should be able to get one of the airline people to help her call you.

 

Also you should let her know that there are restrooms in the customs area and it is a good idea to use the facilities on the plane about 30 minutes before arrival. It makes life much more comfortable.

 

This isn't a big deal, just takes a bit of time.

[jtaylo69]

ATTN ADMINS & MODS Please add this responce to our Links & Information section. This information will come in handy for any other forth comming that is going through this process and needing the 411 on LAX. ...Thanks

 

My wife got her CR-1 and she is coming alone through Los Angeles airport next week ...

 

Anyone have an idea what she is supposed to do? Where she is supposed to go? What papers she needs? I don't want her to get lost, and I don't know what to expect or how to prepare her.

159255[/snapback]

Congratulations...I wish I was...where you are! Anyway, does your wife read or speak English? If so there shouldn't be any problems just follow the signs for Immigration and Customs. All the papers she needs should be in her passport. There should be a visa page in there but she can bring her approval papers from the consulate just in case.

 

I envy you!! Best of luck.

159256[/snapback]

What Airlines is she comming in on? The reason that I ask is that not too long ago, I had posted a good bit of information in regards to LAX, including a full map of the entire airport.

 

But to give you some idea, here it is basicly in a nut shell:

 

Ok, since I have done this as a routine every timeI have gone to china, I just couldn't resist.

 

If you are flying on Delta and plan on changing over to China Southern, like the rest of them said, you should have no wories other than retrieving your baggage, should you need to. The only time you will go through security is when you leave the terminal area in search for food. (If you need a smoke, walk straight out past security, walk around the escaltors to go out the doors that lead to the pedestrian bridge. There you can light up all that your hearts desire)

 

Just remember, you will have to go through security again in which it apears that its heaviest times are 7pm - 8:30, 9:15 - 10pm, 10:10 - 11:45. If you get caught up in this heard of cattle, you can easily expect a 30 to 40 min wait just to get back into the terminal.

 

If you are looking for some decent airport food and a good quality selection, may I suggest that you check out the TOM BRADLEY INTER NATIONAL TERMINAL (Between Terminal 4 & Terminal 3) You can walk to it using the walk way the encompases the Airport terminals. You name it, it's there in that building. ie, restarunts, international and US Customs information., International Shops, limited Airport Administration and 90% of all international Airline Connections.

 

If you are in need of changing your money over, May I suggest to do it through your bank, as the people at the kiosk on the right just as you walk into Term 5 are not very dependable (They come and go like a fart in church) & then their rates suck Big time.

 

In this term, your choices of selection for food is Pizza, McDonalds, sushi, one or 2 burger joints, and a couple of small convienent store types with very limited selections and on of those liquar & smoke stores.

 

After passing these, you will come to the Gate areas. Normally, Chian southern will depart out of any of the last 3 gates on the right side of the terminal.

 

If you are comming into airport from ouside of the US, here is just the basic rundown & a list of the procedures:

 

After deboarding your plane, be prepared to walk through a long series of mazes that will take you to an area that I like to call, (The dungon Area). The reason for this is because you go down what seems 2 or 3 flights of stair cases, and by the 2nd, you no longer can see the light of day. If you have to visit Mother Nature, I strongly suggest that you go either before getting off the plane or make a mad dash to one of the Restrooms before going down the 2nd set of stairs, because there are not any until you are through the entire process, & the wait can be as much as and hour or more.

 

Once you get to the Customs area, you will first wait to retrieve your luggage, (about 30 min) Get your cart & get to the Carasel as quickly as possible or you will be fighting to see anything as it hits the belt. DO NOT MOVE FROM YOUR SPOT! Like the old saying; You move, you lose

 

After getting your luggage, you will have 2 lines. Pick one. Be sure and have your Pasport out (with your finger in the section of your visa) "The guards there seem to like it when you make it easy for them to check it'

 

Be sure to have your UNOPEND PACKET in hand and be prepared to hand it to them. (I can't remember if they take the X-Rays or not. Hopefully someone here can fill that part in)

 

Also, have your I-94 & other custom forms ready that you filled out on the plane ready.

 

Once past the guards, you will be directed to the X-ray area (if you are one of the lucky ones chosen) After you have passed that area, you will then go through the final phase where you will be required to show your passport, visa, and all other documentation. If all is well, you get the "Welcome Home, or Welcome to America".

 

Upon clearing this stage, you will have to once again, follow the gautlet of mazes that will take you out to the lower level arrivals area. From here, you can either catch a cab, airportt shuttle, etc, or if you have a connecting flight, you will either have to walk around to the terminal that you need to connect to or catch one of the Airport Buses that just goes around the terminal like a merry-go-round, to get tp the desired terminal.

 

Once at your connecting terminal, you will need to go upstairs via Elevator or moving staircase to get to the check in couters. Select your poison & be prepared to wait, get your connection ticket, go through a series of security check points & then onto your gate area. (NOTE: These Security check-points can take for ever, so once inside, STAY INSIDE! If you need to have a smoke, DO IT BEFORE going through security.

 

Below is a small map of LAX and a few numbers that you may find helpful.

 

Hope this helps;)

 

http://www.iflylax.com/images/lax.gif

 

 

Terminal 5

 

AeroLitoral

AeroMexico - +1 800 237 6639

Air France - +1 800 237 2747

Air Jamaica - +1 800 523 5585

China Southern Airlines - +1 888 338 8988

Delta Air Lines - +1 800 221 1212

OAI Omni Air International - +1 877 718 8901

Song - +1 800 359 7664

Spirit Airlines - +1 800 772 7117

Sun Country Airlines - +1 800 359 6786[/i]

 

OTHER USEFULL INFO:

 

FOOD

Backlot Deli - Terminal 1

Boudin Sourdough Bakery - Terminal 7

Boudin Sourdough Bakery -Terminal 2

Burger King - Terminal 2

Burger King - Terminal 8

Burger King - Terminal 3

Burger King - Terminal 4

CA One Services, Inc. Concessions Management (310) 215-5147

California Pizza Kitchen Terminal 8

California Pizza Kitchen Terminal 5

Cheers Bar Terminal 2

Chili's Too Terminal 4

Cinnabon Terminal 6

CMS-Concessions Management Services (310) 215-4208

Creative Croissants Terminal 5

Deli/Bar TBIT gate 121

El Cholo Cantina Terminal 5

El Paseo Terminal 1

Euro Coffee and Haagen Daz Terminal 5

Gordon Biersch Brewery Terminal 1

Home Turf Sports Bar Terminal 1

Home Turf Sports Bar Terminal 3

Home Turf Sports Bar Terminal 6

Java Java Terminal 6

Java Java Terminal 3

Jody Maroni's Terminal 6

Jody Maroni's Terminal 3

Karl Strauss Microbrewery Terminal 7

L.A. Roadhouse-Route 66 Terminal 2

L.A. Roadhouse-Route 66 Terminal 8

La Salsa Terminal 7

Malibu Al's Terminal 5

Mc Donald's Terminal 1

Mc Donald's Terminal 5

Mc Donald's Terminal 7

Monet's, a California Deli Terminal 6

Redondo Beach Brewing Co. Terminal 6

Ruby's Terminal 6

Starbucks LAX Terminal 3

Starbucks LAX Terminal 8

Starbucks LAX Terminal 6

Starbucks LAX Terminal 7

Starbucks LAX Terminal 2

Starbucks LAX Terminal 4

Tampopo LAX Terminal 2

Travel Right Cafe Terminal 4

Wolfgang Puck LAX Terminal 2

Wolfgang Puck LAX Terminal 7

 

Duty Free Shops

 

DFS Group, LP LAX Terminal 7

DFS Group, LP LAX Terminal 4

DFS Group, LP LAX Terminal 6

DFS Group, LP LAX Terminal 3

DFS Group, LP LAX Terminal 2

DFS Group, LP LAX Terminal 2

DFS Group, LP LAX Terminal 5

 

Gift Shops & Newsstands

 

ACI LAX Terminal 7

Bow Wow-Meow LAX Terminal 1

Brookstone LAX Terminal 1

Caterina's LAX Terminal 3 9

Crews of California LAX Terminal 7

Crews of California LAX Terminal 1

Destination LA / LA EDGE LAX Terminal 4

Hudson Booksellers LAX Terminal 1

Hudson Booksellers LAX Terminal 6

Hudson Booksellers LAX Terminal 3

Hudson Gift and News / W. H. Smith LAX Terminal 3

Hudson Gift and News / W. H. Smith LAX Terminal 1

Hudson Gift and News / W. H. Smith LAX Terminal 2

Hudson Gift and News / W. H. Smith LAX Terminal 6

Hudson Gift and News / W. H. Smith LAX Terminal 4

Hudson Gift and News / W. H. Smith LAX Terminal 8

Hudson Gift and News / W. H. Smith LAX Terminal 7

Hudson Gift and News / W. H. Smith LAX Terminal 5

Hudson Gift and News / W. H. Smith LAX Terminal 7

Hudson News / W.H. Smith News LAX Terminal 7

 

I Love L A LAX Terminal 2

Jetway Express LAX Terminal 6

Jetway Express (Concessions Management) LAX Terminal 4

Last Stop News Shop LAX Terminal 6

Momentum LAX Terminal 1

Pacific Coast Traders LAX Terminal 2

See's Candy LAX Terminal 1

See's Candy LAX Terminal 3

See's Candy LAX Terminal 4

Spirit of the Red Horse LAX Terminal 5

The Body Shop LAX Terminal 7

The Candy Box LAX Terminal 4

Via Voyage LAX Terminal 1

Via Voyage LAX Terminal 4

WHSmith LAX Terminal 2

 

Currency Exchange & Business Center

 

Foreign Exchange

 

* Telephone 310-649-2801 for exchange rates

* Hours of Operation vary according to terminal

* Located in departure halls of every terminal. Also, in the arrival hall at Tom Bradley International Terminal and Terminals 2, 5 and 6.

* Cash advances (up to $300 in US Dollars), on Visa and Mastercards are available at the ICE Currency Exchange Kiosks in Terminal 2, 3, 5, 7 and Tom Bradley International Terminal.

* Hours for ICE vary according to terminal

* ICE Telephone: (310) 646-7934

 

Business Services

 

* U.S. Postal Service: Postal services are not available in any of the terminals at LAX. Travelers need to mail their correspondence before coming to the airport. The nearest U.S. Postal Service is located at 9029 Airport Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90009. Regular business hours are everyday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. For information, call 1-800-ASK-USPS.

* Cell Phone Rentals: Available at the Tom Bradley Terminal Lower/Arrivals Level. Call (310) 645-3500 for information.

* Notary Public: Tom Bradley International Terminal at the ICE Currency Exchange Booth - Upper/Departure Level, (310) 417-0364, 417-0366, or 863-9953.

* Fax and Photocopy: Tom Bradley Terminal (Lower/Arrivals Level) at the ICE Currency Exchange Booth.

* Internet Dataport Access: At all public telephones in terminals.

 

Internet Services

 

* Neptune Networks has over 60 kiosks in Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 6.

* Travel Right Caf¨¦: The Travel Right Cafe in Terminal 4 Departure Level. Travelers with laptop computers, cellular phones and personal digital assistants can easily hook up to a port to either stay connected, cyber surf or renew their power supply at no charge while enjoying refreshments. The cafe has 48 ports/phone jacks and electrical outlets accommodating up to 68 users. Customers with a toll-free or local 310 area code access number from their Internet Service Provider (ISP), such as America Online or Microsoft Network, can make the connection for free. The customer is subject to ISP customary per-minute fees, if applicable.

 

Currency Exchange

 

* ICE Currency Exchange booths are located in all terminals - Upper/Departure Level.

* ICE Currency Exchange booths are also located in Terminals 2, 5, 6, and Tom Bradley International- Lower/Arrival Level.

* Hours for ICE vary according to the terminal. Please call (310) 646-7934 for hours.

Traveler's Services

 

* Traveler's Checks and Phone cards: In all terminals at the ICE Currency Exchange booths.

* Travel Insurance: In all terminals at the ICE Currency Exchange booths and kiosks/drop-boxes on Upper/Departure Level.

* Cash advances: (up to $300 in US Dollars), on Visa and Mastercards are available at the ICE Currency Exchange Kiosks in Terminal 2, 3, 5, 7 and Tom Bradley International Terminal.

* Hotel Reservation and Car Rental Information: In all terminals in or adjacent to baggage claim on Lower/Arrival Level.

* Stranded Traveler Assistance: In all terminals at the Travelers Aid Society passenger information booths adjacent to or in baggage claim areas on Lower/Arrival Level.

 

 

Lost & Found

 

Contact your airline first if you have a problem with lost suitcases or other items. Then check with restaurants, taxis, buses, and other services before checking with the LAX Airport Police Lost and Found.

 

LAX Airport Police Lost and Found

5600 W. Century Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90045 (310) 417- 0440

Hours of Operation: 0600 to 2330 hours Pacific time, Monday to Friday

 

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Lost & Found at LAX

 

To retrieve items left behind at any of the passenger screening stations at LAX, contact;

 

TSA Lost & Found

5757 W. Century Blvd, Suite GF06

Los Angeles, CA 90045 (310) 665-7382

Hours of Operation: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday

 

Since TSA has taken over the responsibility of passenger and checked baggage screening, all items left behind at security checkpoints are logged, collected and secured. Once passengers contact the TSA Lost & Found to claim and verify their item, arrangements are made for in person retrieval from 5757 W. Century Blvd.

 

Travelers Aid

 

What Travelers Aid Does

 

* Directs travelers to points within LAX and to various community facilities.

* Gives tourists information about accommodations and sightseeing attractions.

* Assists in map reading and in accessing local transportation.

* Provides the non-English speaking traveler with free access to the AT&T Language Line (offering interpretation of 130 languages and/or dialects).

* Meets and accompanies individuals in need from one terminal to another.

* Provides professional social service and emergency assistance to stranded travelers, military personnel, and runaways of all ages.

 

Travelers Aid is a nonprofit, private social service agency with a field office on site at LAX. The agency's professional staff provides crisis counseling and assistance in returning home, so that personal emergencies are resolved and prevented from escalating into more serious problems.

 

Travelers Aid receives referrals from its volunteers located at each terminal, as well as from airport and airline employees, the police, and outlying community agencies.

 

Airport Service Center

 

Office Location:

205 World Way

Los Angeles, CA 90045

 

Phone: (310) 646-2270 Fax: (310) 646-2201

 

Office Hours:

 

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays

 

Volunteer On-Duty Booth Hours:

 

7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. weekdays

9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Airline List

 

America West HP 800-428-4322 Terminal 1

Southwest Airlines WN (800) 435-9792 Terminal 1

US Airways US (800) 428-4322 Terminal 1

Air Canada AC (888) 247-2262 Terminal 2

Air China CA (800) 882-8122 Terminal 2

Air France AF (800) 237-2747 Terminal 2

Air New Zealand NZ (800) 262-1234 Terminal 2

Aviacsa Airline 6A (888) 528-4227 Terminal 2

Champion Air MG (800) 922-2606 Terminal 2

Hawaiian Airlines HA (800) 367-5320 Terminal 2

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (800) 225-2525 Terminal 2

LACSA Airlines LR (800) 225-2272 Terminal 2

Miami Air GL (305) 871-8001 Terminal 2

Northwest Airlines NW (800) 225-2525 Terminal 2

TACA International Airlines TA (800) 535-8780 Terminal 2

Virgin Atlantic VS (800) 862-8621 Terminal 2

World Airways WO (800) 967-5395 Terminal 2

AirTran Airways FL (800) 247-8726 Terminal 3

Alaska Airlines AS (800) 426-0333 Terminal 3

American Trans Air (ATA) TZ (800) 225-2995 Terminal 3

Frontier Airlines F9 (800) 432-1359 Terminal 3

Horizon Air QX (800) 547-9308 Terminal 3

Midwest Express Airlines YX (800) 452-2022 Terminal 3

West Jet WS (888) 937-8538 Terminal 3

American Airlines AA (800) 433-7300 Terminal 4

American Eagle AA (800) 433-7300 Terminal 4

QANTAS QF (800) 227-4500 Terminal 4

Aerolitoral DL (800) 237-6639 Terminal 5

Aeromexico AM (800) 237-6639 Terminal 5

Air Jamaica JM (800) 523-5585 Terminal 5

China Southern CZ (888) 338-8988 Terminal 5

Delta Air Lines DL (800) 221-1212 Terminal 5

Omni Air International OY (800) 441-5393 Terminal 5

Song Airlines DL (800) 221-1212 Terminal 5

Spirit Airlines NK (800) 772-7117 Terminal 5

Sun Country SY (800) 359-6786 Terminal 5

Continental Airlines CO (800) 525-0280 Terminal 6

Copa Airlines (Panama) CM (800) 359-2672 Terminal 6

United (International) Airlines UA (800) 241-6522 Terminal 6/7

United (Domestic) Airlnes UA (800) 241-6522 Terminal 6/7/8

TED AIRLINES UA (800) 225-5833 Terminal 7/8

United Express UA (800) 241-6522 Terminal 7/8

 

Scheduled Buses

 

Green Busses, Long Distant Vans HOTEL & PARKING LOT SHUTTLES & TAXI (Stops)

http://www.lawa.org/lax/images/GT_mapF.jpg

 

Note for travelers: All inbound buses and vans, plus the LAX shuttles, unload on the Upper/Departure Level. Frequent, free shuttle service is provided between terminals (approximately every 12 to 15 minutes) to assist travelers in getting from one terminal to another to make airline connections. To use this service, travelers should board the Airline Connections "A" Shuttle under the LAX Shuttle & Airline Connections sign on the Lower/Arrival Level islands in front of each terminal.

 

 

LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot

 

To help reduce vehicle traffic congestion in the Central Terminal Area, LAX now has a 24-hour LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot, where motorists meeting arriving passengers can wait for free until passengers call to say they are ready to be picked up terminal curbside.

 

The 79-space lot is located at 9011 Airport Boulevard, north of the intersection of Airport Boulevard and Arbor Vitae/Westchester Parkway. The lot is located five minutes from the Central Terminal Area and easily accessible from the north and east by motorists using La Tijera, Sepulveda, Manchester and Century Boulevards to access LAX.

 

Vehicles in the LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot must be attended at all times. No parking will be allowed in or around this new facility.

 

¡°A number of motorists have asked for convenient waiting areas in close proximity to the airport where they can await a call on their cell phones¡± said Kim Day, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports. ¡°We think these Cell Phone Waiting Lots are a good way to be responsive to L.A.-area residents, while reducing traffic congestion in the Central Terminal Area.¡±

 

http://www.lawa.org/lax/images/Map-CTA_Park02-05.gif

Edited October 9, 2005 by jtaylo69 (see edit history)

[LeeFisher3]

Great information J, I wish I'd had this on Wednesday.

 

I've arrived through Terminal 2 and Tom Bradley, in both of those you process through immigration before collecting your luggage. I would suspect this to be the case everywhere, not just LAX but all airports.

 

A note about the x-ray, the information packet from GZ tells you to hand carry it. When we came through they never acknowledged its existence, but could have asked for it, as if they would even know how to read it.

 

While the money exchange at the airport is a poor rate, I found the rate Bank of America offers locally to be even worse. Something to seriously check out beforehand if you are bringing much into the US.