<p>No. Even I missed the USC tram once and had to navigate myself back to campus on the regular bus. It’s a bit of a hassle to find the bus terminal, than to wait for the USC tram…</p>
<p>You’ll be stressed enough because of orientation and travel – you’d be best off taking a cab to USC from LAX ($45) or taking a Super Shuttle (less direct if you need to be at USC by a certain time, $15).</p>
<p>I totally recommend the USC Union Station tram for car-less students, though – just not for orientation and if it’s really your first time out in LA. Do it with a friend your first time when you’re here in August, then I think you’ll be OK.</p>
<p>Yes, it does still run. Check the schedule for exact times.</p>
<p>Yes, you can take it to campus the day before orientation. Check the schedule for exact times.</p>
<p>Luggage limits are set by the airline and your wallet, in addition to the number of hands present. Want to move more bags? Be prepared to pay more.</p>
<p>By luggage limit I meant on the Shuttle. We are thinking of flying Southwest because they allow 2 free bags. If S has more than that we will probably ship a box or two to the dorm.</p>
<p>No, I don’t think there’s a bag limit – but I wouldn’t recommend taking the USC shuttle during move-in day. I even think the shuttles are shut down that day because of how hectic it is!</p>
<p>For orientation, I think you could swing it. For move-in, you are much better off renting a car or taking a Super Shuttle/Prime Time Shuttle to your airport/USC, depending on when you arrive.</p>
<p>Son is a spring admit freshman and will be flying by himself Jan 5. We have flown many times but have not checked bags on flights in a long time so I have questions:
Southwest allows 2 checked bags but can one person manage 2 bags and a carry on by himself, getting from airport to super shuttle to dorm?
Where does super shuttle drop students? How far will son have to get luggage from shuttle to dorm?
Would it be better to check only 1 bag with essentials for the first week and then mail the rest?</p>
<p>The Metro rail line was building an extension right by USC last year, but not sure where the stops were located and when it will be open. This will make life easier from Union Station. </p>
<p>There is also a Green line Metro stop not too far away from LAX, but not sure what kind of shuttles to airport. I always drive to LAX, so haven’t used that service. </p>
<p>We have used Long Beach airport and love it. Much more so than LAX and when the price is right, it’s worth the extra travel time for my family.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If he’s able to manage both bags, he’ll be fine. (ie: he’s capable of carrying the weight) He can also get a cart at LAX to push his bags to the Super Shuttle/Prime Time Shuttle stop, which is right outside baggage claim. </p></li>
<li><p>Shuttle will be able to drop him right in front of the dorm or just a few steps away. On move in, there will be plenty of USC students/employees standing by to help with bags, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>Up to you. If the answer to #1 is “No, he cannot manage 50lbs of baggage” then that could work. Shipping is expensive, though!</p></li>
</ol>
<p>1 is impossible if you have three rolling bags. What I usually do is have my duffle bag as a carry-on, my backpack as a “personal bag” to put under the seat, and two rolling checked bags. I can manage that much by myself with only a little difficulty.</p>
<p>Don’t take the Metro to get to USC. Not only does it not go to campus, it’s hard dealing with luggage and not for newcomers to LA anyways. Super Shuttle or Prime Time shuttle are my recommendations. Or make a friend and split a taxi, that’s what I did when I got to LA for the first time.</p>
<p>Have your student try manuvering his luggage LOADED at home to see how well/poorly he can manage. I agree that taking a shuttle or other is a good method and reasonably priced. I have caught shuttles with two rolling bags and a carry-on clipped to one of the rolling bags, but it IS a challenge and definitely should be practiced when you’re calm & have time BEFOREHAND. As you mention, if it’s too tough for your student to handle, mail the stuff or have it taken to him/her when you or someone from hometown comes for a visit to LA.</p>
<p>I’m a big proponent of “less is more” especially with boys. One carry-on and one rolling piece of luggage should cover it. After that let him tell you what he needs; given the cost of shipping, it may be cheaper to just buy the stuff in LA.</p>
<p>I’ll say this again – LA’s public transportation is overcrowded, unreliable and extremely difficult to navigate if you have little to no knowledge of the region. I do NOT recommend students traveling alone for move-in day (and really, home for holidays too) take public transportation to/from LAX and USC.</p>
<p>Taking a Super Shuttle/Prime Time Shuttle isn’t very expensive and will run you $15-$20 depending on the tip you leave. Consider it an investment in you/your student’s safety and time. Is saving $10 really worth that hassle?</p>
<p>Move in day (and holiday travel) is super hectic as it is. Skip the public transit when traveling to the airport. Trust me!</p>
<p>Once you/your student have been in LA for a week or two, taking the bus around the city to explore shouldn’t be that difficult if you don’t need to be somewhere at a certain time and you do it with a friend or two. LAX and public transportation just don’t mix because of the stressful nature of it all!</p>
<p>1) supershuttle, or USC Shuttle (which is their deal with a shuttle company) is very easy from LAX. (esp. for orientation). My daughter did it alone with no problem whatsoever) They even give a small discount on the USC shuttle. Plus they drop you at the main figueroa st. location about 50 steps from orientation registration.</p>
<p>2) Do check out Burbank airport if scheduling and airlines work for you it is NOT always more expensive as some on this thread have indicated. It is “sometimes” depending on when you book. But if you wait 'till the last minute there are fewer flights there, and it will be more. But don’t be disuaded by a casual comment earlier.</p>
<p>The problem is that going to an airport other than LAX makes it far more difficult to get to campus. Or far more expensive. Or both. Super Shuttle from Long Beach to campus costs around $50 and takes a long time.</p>
<p>We found that Prime Time Shuttle offers a choice of where you wish to be dropped off. My son had them drop him off at one USC gate for Explore and another for Orientation. I expect for move-in he may need yet another gate. Very easy and worth the money for the piece of mind!</p>
<p>I would agree that logistically, LAX is the easiest access for USC and the closest. Despite what some posters have said, I find LAX to be easy to navigate, clean and the security lines to be pretty efficient- can’t think of a time I have had to wait more than 20 minutes, and 10 is more the norm. Of course holidays are going to be more crowded but in general, I have no issues with LAX as compared to some other airports around the country. I also agree that Los Angeles public transportation is NOT great- very difficult to navigate as Zelda said. I would not recommend a first-timer trying to get around with luggage alone- we live here and my kids would not use it by themselves at first. Super/Prime Time Shuttle is definitely worth the money!</p>
<p>Burbank I think is the next best option to LAX. LAX is however going to most of the time be a cheaper airport to fly out of while having flights that go across the entirety of the country and even to other corners of the world if you are interested in that.
Burbank is a nice small and low profile airport about a 30 mins drive from the USC campus. They mostly provide flights to up and down the west coast from Vegas, Seattle, SF, Portland, Salt Lake, Phoenix, Dallas, and Denver and a daily red-eye to New York’s JFK operated by jetBlue. It is a small airport that is in the old style to of no jetways, celebrities sometimes fly out of here because how quiet it generally is.</p>
<p>Burbank is good if the cheaper flights from your home airport are on Jetblue or Alaska. For the major airlines (American, United, US Airways, Southwest, Delta, Continental, Virgin America) LAX will be cheapest.</p>
<p>I know a few people from places like Oregon and Washington State who used Burbank regularly. </p>
<p>Just use a site like Kayak and compare the flights from your home airport(s) to LAX or BUR. For Thanksgiving and Christmas travel, BUR is worth looking into – just not move in day unless Mom and/or Dad is coming and renting a car. (I took a Super Shuttle from BUR to USC once and it was about $35-$45? Not horrible, but can’t touch the $15 from LAX.)</p>