Even the pilot couldn’t understand the circus and chaos leaving LA.  We arrive there about a hour late and had 20 minutes to the check in time of our New York bound Qantas Jumbo.  We had to clear customs, pick up our cases, clear the x ray even taking off shoes and the photo and fingerprint scans.  It was absolute chaos- if these guys are in charge of National Security its no wonder the US is stuffed. More interested in taking Hispanic to their mates or munching on some Mickey Dees than watching the stuff going into the machine. The place was having renos- to take LAX from a ugly 50’s building to a ugly 70’s building so there was plenty of witches hats and signs but not much else going on.  Was in the country 10 minutes and if I hear momentarily again I will scream.  Anyway back to the circus.  Clear customs, walk about 5 miles over the airport, up stairs down stairs, around corners and then get on the plane which is next to the one we just jumped off.  At least the lovely hostie- Kate had a ice cold James Squire Ale and some nuts before I was properly seated.  The plane ended up leaving over an hour late. They had problems getting the bags to the plane and then the paperwork wouldn’t sent electronically so they had to open the doors and send in the skybridge again.