The Los Angeles International Airport Checkpoints

The Los Angeles International airport checkpoints
Have you traveled to Greece yet? Here is your chance. The Los Angeles International Airport checkpoints will be explained by Rebecca from Studio City, Los Angeles and Gary from the city of Los Angeles. Both of them are interrogated, searched and told to undress. They are asked to put their zip lock bags of liquids on a conveyer belt along with their electronic gadgets. They are exhausted before they set foot on a plane! Soon Gary will smile because before he knows it, he will be sitting on the plane with a drink in his hand, awaiting take off.

The ticket counter is the beginning of Rebecca’s international airport experience where she will show her identification and e-ticket. She will need to adhere to the individual carrier’s baggage requirements (one complimentary unlocked bag weighing up to 50 pounds). The lines appear even longer than a few months ago, but she says that she travels all of the time without any worries about theft as she turns in her bag to the ticketing personnel.

The x-ray area is the second checkpoint where hand luggage and personal items are x-rayed. Gary and Rachel are asked to follow the regulations established with TSA 311 and carry-ons. Gary has never flown to Greece, so most checkpoints are foreign to him. Rebecca states, “I notice that there is in-consistency with the rules and regulations for each airline carrier. In addition, safety enforcements increase or decrease depending on the security status in the United States. The International airports have less security especially while traveling within the European community (EU).”

The departure gate is the final place for the passports and boarding passes to be presented. Rebecca generally transfers planes in a European city as there is no non-stop service to Greece from Los Angeles. Gary will change planes in New York. In either case, the luggage is sent directly to Greece. Upon arrival in Greece, Rebecca and Gary will need to pass through a security window and pick up their luggage which takes a fraction of the time as compared to LAX.

Hopefully, the Los Angeles International checkpoints are streamlined for comprehension. Rachel and Gary have the information needed at the ticket counter, x-ray area, departure gate and the security window. Now it is time to enjoy their vacations. Don’t forget to smile.

By Roberta Mark Engel