Long Beach port to LAX-timing on departure date

[dresehand]

We're doing a Carnival cruise in March (out of Long Beach port) that will arive back in port on a Sunday. We need to book our return flight back home that day and need to get home at a decent time as our child is going back to school on Monday. Southwest airlines has several time options and I wondered how long it normally takes to get off the ship there and if we took a shuttle to LAX so I knew what time of a flight we could catch. I know it we need to be at LAX at least 1-1/2 hours before the flight. Could we safely make a 12:00 p.m. flight or would that be cutting it too close by the time we got off the ship, got out luggage and a shuttle to LAX? Thanks for any help. I really need to get our airline tickets booked and this is the only thing holding me back.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Noon could be doable, but noticed I used "could." 1 pm is better. Disembarkation could start late, there could be a traffic jam on the 405 going up to the airport. If you try for noon, make sure there's a later flight you can switch to.

[SandyW]

There will be an oportunity to get off near the front of the line - so to speak - with an early flight. You usually have to "prove" you have one. A lot will depend on what time your ship arrives in to port. If you don't want to be hurried then book a later flight.