Originally Posted by
slowplay
Is this for real? LAX used to have a nice enough customs facility under terminal 5. It handled our Frankfurt, Tokyo, and Mexico flights with two baggage carousels. It let out under the escalator on the lower level of 5. Last time I went through there was in 2000, however.
The only time we had to go to Bradley terminal was when we got in real late from Mexico due to a mechanical. I think our customs shut down at 10pm.
The problem with LAX is that custom at terminal 5 only opens at a certain period of time, i.e. 9am to 7pm, weekend times are different. If you arrive early, you can't pop the door open, if you arrive too late, you'll be bussed to Bradley. Aeromexico always has to be bussed because they arrive in late pm. Also, i hope the CBP isn't listening, but the officers at t5 aren't the friendliest around, even to crews. However, at Bradley they are much more polite and efficient.
I truly hope we'll fix this problem as we continue our "west coast expansion"...