Tan0410

Desperately trying to avoid going via LAX with Air NZ but baggage allowance great!!!!!!!!!

Air NZ only give excess baggage this way...regardless if emigrating. At least that's what they told me.

Does anyone have experience of getting extra baggage allowance with the other airlines?

Particularly singapore who have a great fare and flight times available for the taking when we're looking to go.

If not...how much did excess set you back?

Thanks

TeamEmbo

Hi
We went to all the airlines before we booked our flight and unfortunatly Air New Zealand were the only one's we found that did double the allowance via L.A.

happynz

I agree, LAX is a craptacular airport with a seeming policy of hiring anti-social misfits as ground staff.

Have you considered flying via San Francisco or Vancouver? I believe Air New Zealand fly out of those West Coast airports as well. Perhaps you could get a cheapie flight to SFO or YVR and avoid LAX and still get the baggage allowance.

Tan0410

Thanks for the responses

Did you guys choose to go via LA or go with less baggage?

To go through LAX now you either have to have a biometric passport or a visa!

Tan

happynz

I guess then you have to weigh up the cost of excess baggage v. the hassle of transiting through the US. Up to you.

Nice Guy

I have vowed never to go via LAX/USA ever again.

On my last journey I saw these right wing fascist type ground staff in the guise of security literally doing a strip search in a corridor of an elderly lady in a wheelchair, presumably in their tunnel vision eyes she appeared to be a terrorist or perhaps she was just a soft target!

In the audacity of it all I was welcomed to the USA by a customs clerk with a begrudging 'Welcome to the USA'.

Such a shallow and somewhat pathetic example of a paranoid and deluded security system out of control.

NG

pascalr

I passed through LAX on my way back here last time purely for the extra luggage factor, and the airport itself IS dire.

However, you could possibly do what I did and spend a couple of nights at a flashy hotel near the airport. I actually enjoyed LA, and it was great to break up the journey.

And I also passed through passport control at the airport with Gordon Ramsey and Tim Robbins who I had a nice chat with!

Tan0410

Gordon Ramsey doesn't impact on my decision... but Tim Robbins might!

pascalr

Well, he was with his lovely wife and family and on good form.

Tim Robbins seemed cool too.

Ash1

We went via LA and yep I agree with all said but it was worth it for the extra luggage. Not so funny however, trying to fit 8 suitcases plus hand luggage, 2 adults, 2 kids into a Rav 4.
We also stayed in LA for a couple of nights at a flashy hotel. The hotel was great but we really didn`t like LA so were glad to leave.

Good luck with your descision
Ash

happynz

Last year, about this time actually, I travelled back to the US for a bit of work. I too was welcomed to the States by a grumpy old immigration cow who glanced at my passport and demanded to see my visa. I pointed out that it was a USA passport with my likeness on the inside cover. She glanced again at my passport and muttered, 'oh, it's been a long day.' and handed me back my passport.

Tan0410

What we do have are friends on the BOP who can store some stuff in garage. Would that have swayed anyone's decision if they had the option to send some stuff in advance?

OzJo

we flew via LA and AUckland from London Heathrow to Brissie 3 years ago! USed Air NZ,

If u r going "straigt thru" there is bugger all wrong with LAX as all you are doing is walking thru immigration and getting back on a plane. Baggage worth it as we got 2 bags each at 32kg per bag so 64kg PER PERSON and that is standard baggage!

Its as hard as u make it! If u listen to posts like this you will be pissed off before you get there and LAX will seem a hassle because of what you have read! Look for positives not negatives and you will be fine! Id recommend USA way round anytime!

happynz

True, that. However, the annoyances can be blown out of proportion and can make for delightful dining room 'war' stories.

Tan0410

Should add that we flew via LAX in 2005 so have been there already...hence the desire to not do it again :curse:

The theory that you walk off the plane and back on again was sadly certainly not our experience. We queued in a corridor for an hour with no access to facilities and then sat in a transit lounge (with nothing but a coffee machine) for what seemed like an eternity. Not something I can imagine doing again with a 7 month old and a 22 month old in the middle of the night. Should add that the 22 month old is an apaklling sleeper at the best of times

All viewpoints very much appereciated though so keep 'em coming!

Tan