Because we went for pick-up a little earlier than we needed, of course the shuttle arrived early. No problem, off to the airport.
Outside they have kerbside check-in, but we figured we couldn't use that because we hadn't actually been able to do online check-in (no printer).
Anyway, we went inside and got in line. It took us (well me anyway) a while to work out what was going on. There were 8 or 10 'self service' check-in machines - you wait in line for one to be free, and you use it to both check in and pay for your luggage (no free luggage on American Airlines, or on most actually, I think Southwest is the only airline that still allows a free checked bag). Then, once you've done that, you wait for one of the counter staff to walk to your spot and take your luggage.
It was simply chaotic! People just kept showing up late - at least three people missed a flight to Miami while we were waiting in that queue and they kept pulling people to the front of the line because they'd miss other flights. Why on earth you'd arrive at the airport less than two hours before your flight is a mystery to me.
Most people who serve customers here seem to be really polite but every now and then you come across the 'crabby lady' and she was live and well here - she was yelling at people to take their turn and that she wasn't ready to serve them yet (mind you, she was probably also the most efficient one there!).
Anyway, we finally checked ourselves in, and then went through security. They take it much more seriously here - jackets, shoes and belts are *all* removed, and the the '3 oz liquid' thing that only applies to us on international flights also applies here on domestic ones. They also insist on some form of scannable ID, which *wasn't* made clear on any of the dozens of instructional signs we got to read while waiting in the huge security queue. And, needless to say, ACT driver's licences don't scan under their equipment. So, everyone in the queue got to glare at us while we dragged out our passports. Oops.
And, I got another new experience - after getting fingerprinted for the first time on entry to the US, here I got frisked for the first time - I presume I don't actually look like a terrorist and that it was therefore a random thing, but I had to stand in this big glass cage (yes open all around) while this security lady frisked me down. It was quite a serious frisking and I was really quite bemused, mostly because the guy didn't say what was going on; he just pointed me towards this glass box and let me stand there until the security lady showed up.
Once we got upstairs, no real dramas. There was actual food - ie fresh fruit - on sale in the little cafeteria near our gate, and the flight was quite comfortable. We paid extra for Group1 boarding and I don't know if it's because of that, or the Qantas club thing (they're in the same alliance) or just good luck, but we got three seats to share between the two of us again, which is always more comfortable.
Arriving at LAX was another surprise - there was basically no-one there. Most people on our flight obviously hadn't checked bags, so by the time we got to the carousel to pick up our bags there were like two other people there. Outside, same thing, very few people compared to when we arrived back in July. We're thinking it was just a time of day thing - business travellers would all have gone earlier and it was still a bit early in the day for tourists to arrive.
Our shuttle was on time and he got us out here to Anaheim without too much drama. In my opinion, in the 'Super Shuttle' vs 'Prime Time Shuttle' wars, it's Prime Time every time.
We were also really lucky that the Marriott let us into our room at 11am even though their official check-in time is 1pm at the earliest.
Paul has now gone off to try to buy some gaming / painting stuff and I'm going to finish up doing the washing and then I'm going to wander off and do some shopping too.
Later:
Washing is all done and I've just got back from 'The Block' - a big shopping centre a bit less than 2 miles down the road. Of course I walked - not so many strange looks here as in Studio City, but the footpaths (sorry, sidewalks) are still almost completely empty.
I got what I was after - a pair of Teva shoes that cost me $37 here - at home I've seen the same ones for well over $100. So, I'm pleased!
Don't know yet if Paul got what he was after - he's on his way home as I type :-)
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