Tier Point Run to Tucson in Oct 2024: Day 2 – Los Angeles LAX to Tucson TUS

My typical overnight stops at LAX never really allow me any quality sleep. Last night’s stop was no different.

I turned the light out at around 12:15am, I set my alarm (optimistically) for 5am, but I was awake about 3 hours later.

With thoughts of a Starbucks from the TBIT Great Hall, I wandered back to LAX in time for the AA Flagship Lounge opening at 4:30am.

T4 was chocker, with TSA Pre-Check overflowing. Feels like we are getting to a point when normal security might be a tad faster.

At the entrance to the lounge I was dealt with by one of the regulars, who needed to tweak my frequent flyer number added to my flight this morning.

Into the lounge, and I immediately headed out to TBIT to pick up my coffee. That helped to calm down that nagging headache, which was still there in the background.

I was well pleased to see wholemeal English muffins in the business lounge. Lovely. That was a real boost to my health!

I did my normal all terminals walk, partly to check on progress with the train that will link LAX to downtown LA. All looks on track (pardon the pun).

No visible works or scaffolding in sight, which suggests the main stops are done. I think they have announced that it will open in Jan 2026.

I had a laugh with that same lounge dragon, who started just holding out a black Flagship card as I walked past!

Back in the Flagship Lounge, and I enjoyed a second breakfast. On the basis it was free, why not? I’m thinking of missing lunch and getting an early dinner.

My flight to Tucson was due to leave from Gate 52F, which is the regional terminal, referred to as Eagles Nest, due to it primarily serving American Eagle flights.

I caught the shuttle bus and got an interesting insight into driving on an airport, needing to rigorously follow all traffic signs.

I was surprised to find an AA Admirals Lounge, which was small but cute. I spent about 10 mins in there before going to the gate.

As I suspected, passengers were already queuing up, with rollaboards, hoping to get then in the overhead lockers.

I slipped into third in the queue, but boarding was delayed because we were waiting for the final cabin crew member to arrive.

Being in seat 01A, I was keen to get my rucksack in above row 1.

When boarding commenced, the passengers ahead of me had to valet-check their rollaboards. My oversized rucksack was OK, and I slipped it in above row 1, I suspect at the slight annoyance of the couple who were sat in 01C/01D.

They were still settling in to their seats, so rather than waiting for them to sort themselves out, I made them aware that I was placing my rucksack directly above them. I think everything was OK in the end.

We pushed back about 15 mins behind schedule, and by the time we were in the air, it was obvious the service was going to be basic, to say the least.

That was compounded by the fact that it seemed like the senior cabin crew member was training the junior cabin crew member.

I finally got my water, at which point the captain gleefully announced that the seatbelt sign had been switched off and passengers could move around the cabin.

The rest of the flight was uneventful. The scenery was basically desert and pretty flat. Which made me wonder why do certain places get really hot, when others not that far away, are much cooler. I’ll try to find out!

We flew past, what appeared to be another potential boneyard. I later discovered this was Pinal Airpark which does indeed house some old aircraft, but also active aircraft pending repairs. Not to be confused with the Pima Air and Space Museum that I planned to visit on this trip.

We landed with a real bump, and arrived into Gate B9. The heat hit me as I departed the aircraft. it had hit 37 deg C.

The terminal was packed with passengers, bars and restaurants. I decided I would have a look around on my way home. Time to walk to the hotel!

Follow the whole story here: Tier Point Run to Tucson in Oct 2024