Can an international traveler at LAX on a layover meet with a person who lives in L.A. who isn't travelling?

Question

My friend is coming in from Canada on Air Canada. Four hours after she lands, she will leave on a Quanta flight for

New Zealand. Can we meet, or is she stuck inside of security,

and I am stuck outside?

Answer 1

she could leave the secure zone, but ive been through LAX, and its a pain to get back in

Answer 2

Well if you want to see her that bad you can do one of two things. One she can leave the terminal and you guys can do something for like two hours. She won't have to check her bags or anything she will just have to go threw security again. Two, you buy an extremely cheap ticket (I can find you one for like 30 bucks if you chose this option) and you two meet up at the gate and have lunch or something in the terminal.

Send me an email if you want number two i will find you a ticket.

Answer 3

On almost all flights from Canada to the US, you actually clear US Customs and Immigration prior to boarding your flight in Canada which makes arriving in the US the same as arriving on a domestic flight. Air Canada uses Terminal 2 at LAX, you should be able to meet her at Terminal 2 and spend as much time with her as time allows before she clears security and enters the restricted departure area in the Tom Bradley International Terminal for her Qantas flight. I'm sure you can call Air Canada at LAX to confirm, but  I don't believe she will have to go through any extra security or customs procedures than if she was to meet with you or not. Flights from Canada are unlike flights from other international cities or countries.

Answer 4

Even if you could, would it be worth passing through customs and airport security twice? By the time she's done, assuming it's even possible, you'd get 15 minutes with him to safely get back into the system before the flight leaves again.

Answer 5

Air Canada comes into Terminal 2.  Quantas departs from the Tom Bradley International Terminal.  This means that she'll have to clear into the United States to change terminals since these terminals aren't connected airside (and there's no provision for transit passengers even if they were.

Yes you can meet up - you can't enter the secured area but you'll be able to see her in the public area.  There are places to eat landside in the Tom Bradley International Terminal (and almost nothing after security) so you'll have a place you can sit down and have a bite if needed.

Good luck!

Answer 6

You and your friend can meet.  She will have to switch terminals anyway.  Air Canada arrives in Terminal 2 and the Qantas flight will depart either from Terminal 5 or the Tom Bradley International Terminal.