Porter service/baggage help at LAX International Arrivals?

Question

Hello! My husband and I are moving from Istanbul to Los Angeles and will arrive at LAX international with a lot of luggage (10 boxes, 6 checked suitcases and 3 carryons). Does anyone know if there are either large luggage carts (larger than the traditional airport SMART carts) or an airport porter service available for the International terminal? We need someone or something to help us get from baggage claim, through customs and to our ride curbside.

Any advise much appreciated!

Answer

Arriving at LAX International Terminal with a large volume of luggage can be overwhelming, but there are several ways to make the process smoother with porter services, luggage assistance, and carts.

Luggage Carts:

LAX provides standard luggage carts at the terminals, including the International Terminal. These are generally the size of the typical SMART carts and may not accommodate very large volumes at once.
There are no oversized airport carts specifically for extremely large amounts of luggage, so multiple trips or assistance may be necessary if using standard carts.

Porter Services / Baggage Assistance:

LAX offers porter services through independent companies and some terminals have contracted “Skycap” or baggage assistance staff. For International arrivals, you can arrange a porter to meet you at baggage claim to help transport luggage to your vehicle.
Some services include:

Airporter Services / LAX Porters: Professional porters can meet you at the gate or baggage claim and handle luggage through customs and to your curbside pickup.
Hotel Concierge or Private Shuttle: If staying at a hotel nearby, many provide meet-and-greet services where they handle luggage from the terminal to the vehicle. Booking this in advance is recommended.
Ride-Share or Car Service with Assistance: Some private transport companies offer curb-to-curb luggage assistance if requested in advance, especially for large moves.

Tips for Managing Your Luggage:

Contact your airline before arrival to ask about special luggage assistance; they sometimes provide staff to help passengers with large amounts of checked baggage.
Schedule a porter service in advance to ensure someone is available to help immediately upon arrival.
Consider breaking up your luggage across multiple trips if using standard carts or coordinating multiple porters if you have an exceptionally large volume.
Make sure all luggage is tagged properly and keep essential items with you in carry-ons to avoid delays at customs.

In summary, while LAX International Terminal does not have oversized carts specifically for large shipments, professional porter services can assist you with all of your luggage from baggage claim through customs to your ride. Booking a service in advance and coordinating with your airline or hotel can make the arrival process much more manageable, especially with 10 boxes and multiple suitcases.