Bad Pink Tink 2.0
Joined March 2015 Wearing Blinders In A Bubble
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2023
Some have asked , so here it is, my annual June California trip report.
Like previous years I did a split stay, the first few days in LA to visit friends and then transfer to Anaheim.
Wednesday June 21
Dublin to LAX direct with Aer Lingus, 10 hour flight time.
In Ireland we have a special arrangement with US Homelands Security and we have passport check in the airport before getting on the plane. Usually I have lunch in the main terminal concourse and then go through preclearance, but this trip I decided to book the lounge after pre clearance. All passengers on USA flights can book this lounge, its not for any specific airline or ticket level. Some passengers can have free access but most people pay for it. I booked in advance and paid €41, on the day you can pay €45 if there is availability.
Food options were
I booked for 12.30 for a 3pm flight and had plenty of time. It was busy when I got there but cleared out as flights were called. Flight information is available on screens and the reception also make flight calls. I stayed in the lounge until my flight was called and it really didnt feel like I was at the airport, it was a much more relaxed atmosphere. My gate was beside the lounge and it was a shock to walk out to hustle and bustle of the gate area after the relative quiet of the lounge.
The flight was fine, I booked an aisle seat at the window and my seat mate was a young Irish girl going to Californian on a student work visa. It was her first time in America so I gave her some hints and tips.
The main meal in the flight was beef stew, with a small pasta salad, bread roll and a strawberry mouse desert. On Aer Lingus soda, water, tea and coffee are included but alcohol is an extra charge. Halfway through the flight they came around with icecream tubs and then about an hour before landing we had a hot chicken wrap.
Landing at LAX Tom Bradley was an adventure. As we do passport check in Dublin, we land as a domestic passenger. So we arrive at the gate area and then have the long walk about 20 minutes back into the main terminal food and shopping area and then down to bag reclaim.The bags took so long to come through, at one stage the carosel stopped moving. I have an airtag on my bag, so I chacked the app and saw that it was in LAX so I didnt worry. While I was waiting for my bag I got a WhatsAp message from Midwilshuttle to notify me that my driver had arrived. I text back that I had arrived and was waiting for my bag. Once my bag finally came out, I went out to the shared ride pick up area outside arrivals and sent a text to Midwilshuttle to tell the driver which pole I was standing at. My driver arrived within 10 minutes and it was off to my hotel in Downtown LA. The traffic wasnt too bad, but it was about 8.30 by the time I eventually got to my room. I had brought some food with me, just some snacks so after a quick shower I was ready for bed. From the time I left my house to the time I checked in to my hotel was about 17 hours.
Thursday 22 June to Monday 26 June
I had a great few days hanging out with friends. We went shopping, spent a day at the beach in Santa Monica and took a day trip to Solvang.
Like previous years I did a split stay, the first few days in LA to visit friends and then transfer to Anaheim.
Wednesday June 21
Dublin to LAX direct with Aer Lingus, 10 hour flight time.
In Ireland we have a special arrangement with US Homelands Security and we have passport check in the airport before getting on the plane. Usually I have lunch in the main terminal concourse and then go through preclearance, but this trip I decided to book the lounge after pre clearance. All passengers on USA flights can book this lounge, its not for any specific airline or ticket level. Some passengers can have free access but most people pay for it. I booked in advance and paid €41, on the day you can pay €45 if there is availability.
Food options were
- Mediterranean Chicken Stew
- Sweet Potato, Coconut and Chickpea Curry
- Plain Rice
- Salad Bar
- Soup
- Selection of pastries
- Help yourself to soda, water, tea and coffee
- Alcohol drinks were in a bar area, limit to 2 per person, no cocktails, just wine, spirts and beer.
- Barista coffee in the bar
I booked for 12.30 for a 3pm flight and had plenty of time. It was busy when I got there but cleared out as flights were called. Flight information is available on screens and the reception also make flight calls. I stayed in the lounge until my flight was called and it really didnt feel like I was at the airport, it was a much more relaxed atmosphere. My gate was beside the lounge and it was a shock to walk out to hustle and bustle of the gate area after the relative quiet of the lounge.
The flight was fine, I booked an aisle seat at the window and my seat mate was a young Irish girl going to Californian on a student work visa. It was her first time in America so I gave her some hints and tips.
The main meal in the flight was beef stew, with a small pasta salad, bread roll and a strawberry mouse desert. On Aer Lingus soda, water, tea and coffee are included but alcohol is an extra charge. Halfway through the flight they came around with icecream tubs and then about an hour before landing we had a hot chicken wrap.
Landing at LAX Tom Bradley was an adventure. As we do passport check in Dublin, we land as a domestic passenger. So we arrive at the gate area and then have the long walk about 20 minutes back into the main terminal food and shopping area and then down to bag reclaim.The bags took so long to come through, at one stage the carosel stopped moving. I have an airtag on my bag, so I chacked the app and saw that it was in LAX so I didnt worry. While I was waiting for my bag I got a WhatsAp message from Midwilshuttle to notify me that my driver had arrived. I text back that I had arrived and was waiting for my bag. Once my bag finally came out, I went out to the shared ride pick up area outside arrivals and sent a text to Midwilshuttle to tell the driver which pole I was standing at. My driver arrived within 10 minutes and it was off to my hotel in Downtown LA. The traffic wasnt too bad, but it was about 8.30 by the time I eventually got to my room. I had brought some food with me, just some snacks so after a quick shower I was ready for bed. From the time I left my house to the time I checked in to my hotel was about 17 hours.
Thursday 22 June to Monday 26 June
I had a great few days hanging out with friends. We went shopping, spent a day at the beach in Santa Monica and took a day trip to Solvang.
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