Tier Point Run to Tucson in Oct 2024: Day 1 – New York JFK to Los Angeles LAX

The rabbit warren of corridors heading to immigration from Gate 18 is becoming more familiar with every trip.

No one else was close behind, and I arrived into an empty immigration hall on my own.

The Global Entry kiosks were at the far end of the hall, and it only took a few seconds before the kiosk recognised me. I am continually amazed at how efficient the process is. Shame other systems haven’t adopted a similar approach. Perhaps they have?

The border control officer asked me lots of questions, including how much cash I had on me. I’m not sure whether he needed a loan for the bus ride home?

Anyway, headed through an empty baggage reclaim hall, up two escalators, and into the TSA PreCheck security line.

It was pretty busy, with a gaggle of BA crew heading through to take a staff a flight back to Heathrow.

I checked in at the Soho Lounge and was advised I could use either the Chelsea or Soho lounges today. I chose the Soho Lounge and found a seat next to the window.

I wasn’t in the lounge long before I headed out for a short terminal walk before walking on to Gate 43.

There were not many passengers waiting at Gate 43 for the flight to Los Angeles – it was the late flight and due to the time, it tends not to be frequented by celebs and power people. Suits me fine!

I had managed to wangle an upgrade from business into First Class on these trans-continental segments, so I was in heaven sat in my favourite seat 01F.

My excitement of being on board soon waned down to a feeling of « crikes – I’m knackered! »

I had some interest in dinner, but after the initial salad/starter, as on previous flights, I threw the towel in and tried to get some sleep.

I had developed a nagging headache, probably as a result of the champers I had enjoyed on the BA flight over from Heathrow, and the lack of water that I hadn’t drunk, when I should have!

My sleep was broken by the intense chill at my feet. The AA duvet/blanket is really nice on the trans-continental in First Class, but for some reason there was a gale hitting my feet, which seemed to originate somewhere in Alaska!

I managed to work around that to some extent, but when I woke with just over an hour to go, I still had that nagging headache, and now it was joined with a feeling of mild sickness.

I managed to cope until we landed and once through the airport, I enjoyed the coolness and the fresh (?) air of Los Angeles.

As it happens, the flight must have been the fastest trans-continental flight I’ve ever been on.

We ended up about an hour ahead of schedule and rather than arriving after midnight, I had a chance of getting into my hotel room by the same time on this occasion.

We arrived into Gate 41 and luckily it wasn’t occupied, so there was minimal delay between landing and parking up.

The walk to the hotel was easy, as it always is. I had to physically check in at the Hilton LAX, due them upgrading their room locking system, so digital keys were not being handed out.

I briefly caught up with the Vickster, and turned the light out for some well-earned rest.

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