Theresa Doan
Six years at Korean Air ground ops at LAX. Vietnamese-American, writes part-time about Pacific Rim transit and family travel.
Theresa worked six years at Korean Air ground operations at LAX before leaving to write full-time in 2023. She grew up in Garden Grove, watching her parents board the once-a-year Saigon flight at LAX, which she now claims is the origin story for her interest in transit logistics from a family-travel angle.
She writes for airport.flights as a paid freelance contributor, two pieces a month on average, focused on the Pacific Rim transit corridor and on what an airport actually feels like when you’re moving through it with a stroller and a connecting flight in three hours. Her beat is the operational realities families don’t know to ask about.
She’s based in Pasadena, drives to LAX too often, and maintains the controversial position that the TBIT is not as bad as the consensus says, provided you know which exit to use after immigration.
Specialises in
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Car-Free at Seattle–Tacoma (SEA): Beating $37 Parking with Link, Buses, and 12 Lounges
How I use Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) as a regional car-free hub for Seattle, Tacoma, and beyond, using Link light rail, buses, and lounges instead of $37/day parking, even with a stroller in the mix.
Airside Connections and Lounges at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Without Re‑Clearing Security
A practical, connection‑only playbook for Bay Area flyers building cross‑alliance itineraries at SFO using its 4 terminals, 119 gates, 12 lounges, and 8 parking products, without getting trapped at security.
Same‑Day Positioning Flights at LAX on Separate Tickets: Buffers, $1 Buses, and $35–$70 Parking That Actually Work
Treat Los Angeles International Airport as a positioning machine: time‑safe buffers by terminal, $1 buses, $10–$12 FlyAway, $30–$70 rideshare, and 10 parking products from $35 to $70/day.
Working the Grid at San Francisco International Airport: SFO Parking, Lounges, and Transit as Your Backup Plan
How to use SFO parking, SFO lounges, and BART from SFO to turn a long delay into a controllable workday, plus when the cheapest way from SFO to San Francisco beats staying at the gate.
Seattle–Tacoma (SEA) Lounge Router: 12 Lounges, Delta vs Alaska vs Centurion, and When Link Beats Uber
Use Seattle–Tacoma International Airport’s 12 lounges and cheap Link light rail to route Delta, Alaska, Amex Centurion, Priority Pass, and USO travelers through SEA without wasting steps or minutes.
Local Flyer’s Guide to Myrtle Beach Airport Parking: $10 Economy, $25 Valet, and When to Skip a Rental
If you live within 2 hours of MYR, use Myrtle Beach International’s 12 catalogued parking lots, $10 economy tier, $25 curbside valet, and $1.50 Coast RTA routes to decide where your car should sit and when a rental is a
LAX by Ride: $35 vs $60 vs $70 Parking, Cheapest $1 Bus, and 12 Lounges Across 9 Terminals
Pick your LAX ‘mini‑airport’ by how you arrive: $35 vs $60 vs $70 parking, $1 city buses vs $10 FlyAway vs $30–70+ rideshare, and which of the 12 lounges actually line up with your terminal cluster and time.
LAX as Your Missed‑Connection Recovery Lab: 9 Terminals, 12 Lounges, and $1–$70 Ground Plays
How to use LAX’s 9 terminals, 12 lounges by terminal, free LAX Shuttle Route A, and around $1 Culver CityBus Line 6 to salvage missed connections, long layovers, and remote workdays.
Seattle-Tacoma Airport Without a Car: 12 Lounges, $37/day Parking, and a Simple 2×2 for Your SEA Commute
Use SEA’s 3 terminals, 12 lounges, $37/day General Parking, and $2.25-3.50 Link light rail to build a repeatable airport commute from four key corridors, without defaulting to your car.
Seattle–Tacoma layovers by the numbers: 3 terminals, 12 lounges, and when to ride Link vs Uber
SEA is three terminal pieces, 12 lounges, and a handful of very different ways into Seattle. A practical layover playbook: which lounge to use, when to stay airside, and when a Link light rail ride downtown actually make
LAX lounges, Shuttle Route A, and one predictable loop across 9 terminals
How to use LAX lounges, walking corridors, and Shuttle Route A to turn Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) connections into one predictable loop across 9 terminals and 106 gates.
RDU on weather-meltdown days: $2.25 bus vs $40 Uber, 8 lounges, and when to jump to Amtrak or Greyhound
How to put Raleigh–Durham airport into bad-weather mode: use the $2.25 RDU to Raleigh/Durham bus, pick from 8 parking options and 8 lounges, and know when to abandon flying for Amtrak or Greyhound.
Harry Reid Las Vegas airport parking: Terminal 1 vs Terminal 3 and how to recover when you mess it up
Harry Reid Las Vegas airport parking with kids or carry‑on only: 12 parking options from $0–$36/day, 8 lounges, and exactly when to choose $12 Remote vs $30 valet and what to do if you end up at the wrong terminal.
PHX parking vs $2 train: when $10 West Economy quietly beats the garage and Uber
Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) runs on 2 terminals, 12 catalogued parking facilities, 12 lounges, and a free Sky Train that connects you to a $2–$4 light rail. A practical, money-first way to choose between $10 West Economy, $
When San Francisco International melts down: using SFO’s lounge + transport grid to survive an Alaska or United delay
How to treat San Francisco International Airport’s 12 lounges, 8 parking options, and BART/SamTrans grid as a recovery system on bad delay days, with specific routes for Alaska and United travelers and clear rules on whe
LAX Layovers for Real Life: Zones, Lounges, Food, and When to Leave the Airport
Turn Los Angeles International Airport’s 9 terminals, 106 gates, 12 lounges, 12 dining options, and web of buses and shuttles into a calm, predictable layover using zone-based playbooks and time-boxed plans.
SFO Lounges by Terminal: Build One Corridor, Then Stack Parking and BART vs Taxi
Use SFO’s 12 lounges, 8 parking lots, and BART vs taxi tradeoffs to build one ‘home corridor’ that keeps your family out of security lines and off the AirTrain.
San Diego Airport Weekend Playbook: Parking from $11, lounges as third spaces, and when Terminal 1 vs 2 matters
A 2–3 day San Diego International (SAN) strategy built around $11–$60 parking, three lounges plus USO as 'third spaces,' and clear Terminal 1 vs Terminal 2 tradeoffs.
LAX Money & Margin Grid: $35 vs $60 Parking, $1 Buses, and Safe Connection Rules Across 9 Terminals
Use LAX’s 10 parking lots, $1–$70 ground-transport spread, and 12 lounges as a money + margin grid. Quick-scan tables, green vs red connection zones, and 4 step‑by‑step layover recipes.
LAX on $1, $12, or $70: Lounges by Terminal and Transportation from LAX in One Playbook
LAX’s 9 terminals, 12 lounges, and $1–$70 transport options, boiled down into a three-tier plan: pick your lounge network, then choose $1, $12, or $70+ into LA.
8 LAX Plays by Airline Family: $35 vs $60 vs $70 Parking, Lounges, and Buses
Use LAX’s 10 parking lots, 12 lounges, and stacked bus and rideshare options to pick a concrete “play” based on your airline cluster instead of guessing at the curb.
SEA for Regulars: Build Your Parking, Lounge, and Transit Defaults at Seattle‑Tacoma
Turn Seattle‑Tacoma International Airport (SEA) into a repeatable home base by pairing its $37/day main garage, 12‑lounge network, and Link light rail into a few simple default routines.
LAX Parking For People Who Actually Drive: Match the 10 Lots to Your Terminal and Trip Length
LAX is nine mini-airports wrapped around 10 on-airport parking lots. Use hard numbers, a simple break-even rule, and terminal clusters to decide when to pay $60–70 to park in the horseshoe and when $35 Economy plus a shu
LAX Parking and Lounges by Zone: North, South, or Bradley From $35 Parking to $1 Buses
Use LAX’s three-zone layout to pick the right parking, lounge, and transportation in under 30 seconds for every trip.
SEA for international trips: 12 lounges, 12 parking choices, and $2.25–3.50 into the city
How to use Seattle–Tacoma’s three-terminal layout for origin and destination international trips: a dozen lounges by gate and access, 12 parking options including a 5-minute walk garage, and the $2.25–3.50 Link light rai
San Diego Airport 3–6 Hour Layover: Terminal 2 lounges, bayfront runs, and $11 vs $60 parking math
How to use a 3–6 hour layover at San Diego International Airport (SAN), plus exactly when $11 Pacific Highway parking is worth the shuttle vs. $38–$60 on‑airport parking.
Myrtle Beach (MYR): $10 Parking, $1.50 Bus, and How to Run a Car-Light Beach Week
Parking at Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR), the $1.50 Coast RTA bus, 10–20 minute rideshares, and a simple, qualitative framework for when MYR makes more sense than driving to a distant hub.
Tacoma & South King to SEA: When $3.25 Buses and 12 Lounges Beat the $37 Garage
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport parking is $37/day in the main garage. If you live in Tacoma or South King County, here is when to skip the garage, ride the 574, RapidRide A, or 156, and use SEA’s 12 lounges so car-
LAX Parking vs Lounges vs $1 Buses: 10 Parking Options That Quietly Rewrite Your Trip
Ten LAX parking options at $35, $60, and $70 a day, how they change your lounge choices and $1–$70 ground transportation, plus concrete 3–5 day itineraries you can copy.
SEA tight connections and lounges: a practical playbook for Alaska–Delta days
SEA for real-life connections: 3 terminal zones, 12 lounges, and how to decide when a lounge stop is realistic on Alaska, Delta, and mixed-airline itineraries.
LAX Parking, Lounges, and Ground Transport: How to Trade $35–$70 for Real Buffer Time
A practical decision tool for LAX parking, lounges, and ground transportation that converts every extra dollar you spend into actual pre-flight buffer time.
MSP by the numbers: 2 terminals, 12 lounges, $20 parking, and a $2 train when your plans fall apart
A cost-and-time decision guide to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport: MSP airport parking from $20/day and $3/hr, MSP lounges by network at each terminal, and $2.00–$2.50 train and bus options vs rideshare and
SEA with Kids and Car Seats: Level 4, $37 Parking, $2.25–3.50 Link, and 12 Lounges for Sanity
How to use Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s Level 4, $37/day General Parking, $2.25–3.50 Link light rail, and 12 lounges to make SEA doable with strollers, car seats, and grandparents in tow.
Denver Airport Parking for Ski Trips: $6 Lots, $10.50 DEN to Union Station Train, and Group Captain Playbooks
Use Denver International Airport’s 10 parking options, $6 long‑term lots, $10.50 train to Union Station, and 12 lounges to choreograph big ski groups with clear roles: trip captain, lounge captain, and rail captain.
What Terminal Is American Airlines at LAX? (Updated 2026)
American moved out of Terminal 5 in Oct 2025. Here's where it flies from now at LAX — Terminal 4 gates, TBIT, check-in, and real connection times.
SEA at dawn for real people: Link light rail $2.25–3.50 to downtown, plus 12 lounges and USO for military families
How to land at Seattle–Tacoma (SEA) before sunrise and still function: Link light rail $2.25–3.50 to downtown, when SEA’s 12 lounges actually help, and how USO’s overnight hours change the plan for active military and fa
Work From SEA: How Seattle–Tacoma’s 12 Lounges, $37 Parking, and $3 Rail Turn the Airport Into Your Remote Office
Use Seattle–Tacoma International (SEA) as a recurring remote office with 12 lounges, $37/day General Parking, and $2.25–3.50 Link light rail. Concrete plays for frequent flyers, not just bad-weather days.
Seattle–Tacoma winter delays: lounges, $37 parking, and $2.25 rail as your SEA storm toolkit
How to handle winter delays at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport using SEA’s $37/day General Parking, 12 lounges, and $2.25–3.50 Link light rail, with specific moves for locals and visitors.
What Terminal Is United at LAX? T7 & T8 Gates and Lounges
United flies from LAX Terminal 7 (T8 is a satellite with no own check-in). Real gate numbers, the United Club at 71A, and honest walk times to TBIT.
LAX lounges by terminal: a 15‑minute walking rule for status, Priority Pass, and day‑pass travelers
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has 9 terminals, 106 gates, and 12 key lounges. Use a simple 15‑minute walking rule and four “hub” lounges to decide when to walk for a better space and when to stay put.
Salt Lake City airport parking: $12 economy vs $60 premium, and when each actually makes sense
Salt Lake City International Airport looks like a simple one‑terminal layout, but its four-tier parking ladder from $12 to $60 per day behaves very differently. Here is when SLC’s garage, Lot E, and economy lots actually
Tacoma & south‑end SEA flyers: when $37 airport parking actually beats the $2.25–3.50 train or $3.25 bus
A south‑side SEA routine for Tacoma, JBLM, Des Moines, and West Seattle flyers: clear rules for when to use Link, ST 574/560, on‑airport General Parking at $37/day, or rideshare, plus how to plug into SEA’s 12‑lounge net
SEA airport parking vs Link light rail: $2.25 train, $37/day parking, and lounges by neighborhood and departure time
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) parking, Link light rail, taxis, Uber, and airport lounges, re-framed as a single decision: $2.25–3.50 train vs $37/day General Parking, tuned by where you live, when you fly, a
Stuck 4–8 Hours at LAX? Turn Delay Design Into a 9‑Terminal, 12‑Lounge Layover Plan
LAX has 9 terminals, 12 lounges, 12 catalogued dining options, and $1–$70 rides into LA. Here is the exact playbook for 4, 6, and 8‑hour delays, by airline and budget.
What Terminal Is Delta at LAX? Terminal 2 vs 3 Explained (Gates, Sky Club, and the Walk Between Them)
Delta uses both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 at LAX — one shared check-in hall. Real gate breakdown, walk times, and where the Sky Club actually is.
Seattle–Tacoma Airport Parking vs Transit: $37 Garage, $2.25 Link, and How Your Trip Length Changes the Math
Turn SEA’s $37/day garage, $2.25–3.50 Link fares, and 12 parking options into a simple cost calculator, with real examples from downtown and Tacoma.
What Terminal Is Southwest at LAX? Terminal 1 Gates, Check-In, and the Fastest Way Through
Southwest flies from LAX Terminal 1 (gates 9-18B). Here's the international catch, check-in timing, and the fastest way through.
San Francisco Airport: When SFO Makes Sense as Your Home Base vs Just a Connection Hub
A practical breakdown of SFO parking cost, SFO BART to downtown, and SFO lounges by terminal, focused on when to start at San Francisco vs just connect through it.
What Terminal Is Alaska Airlines at LAX? Terminal 6 Gates and Connections
Alaska flies from LAX Terminal 6, gates 60-69 — just renovated. Here's what changed, where the Alaska Lounge is, and how connections actually work.
San Francisco International Airport lounges with kids: 12 options, 4 terminals, and how not to drag them for nothing
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has 12 catalogued lounges across 4 terminals and 119 gates. Here’s how parents and caregivers can use that grid to survive delays without long, pointless walks with kids.
Boston Logan Airport Terminals: A Four‑Terminal Playbook for Check‑In, Security, and Getting into Boston
A decision‑tree way to use Boston Logan Airport’s A, B, C, and E terminals, 12 lounges, and shuttle / subway options so you stop showing up at the wrong curb or paying $40 for a 3‑mile ride.
Jacksonville vs Savannah vs Charleston Airports: Beach Trips, Parking, and First-Hour Stress
Jacksonville, Savannah, or Charleston for Amelia Island, Hilton Head, Tybee, Folly, or Kiawah? A practical look at parking, rides, and terminals so your Lowcountry beach trip starts calm, not chaotic.
Flying Out of Fairbanks or Driving to Anchorage? The Real Time and Money Math for Interior Alaska Flights
For Interior Alaska travelers, starting at Fairbanks International Airport and using the short hop to Ted Stevens Anchorage International usually beats the 370‑mile drive once you count time, parking, and winter risk.
Los Angeles International Airport: Survive Delays with a 2‑Mile Airside Spine, 12 Lounges, and $1 Buses
Stuck at Los Angeles International Airport? Use LAX’s 2‑mile airside corridor, 12 lounges, and cheap $1 bus options to turn a delay or misconnect into a controlled layover instead of a meltdown.
From Worldport nights to traveler days at Louisville Muhammad Ali International (SDF)
How Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport balances UPS Worldport’s overnight freight machine with a calm, one-terminal passenger experience, plus what that means for your parking, food, and ride into town.
Sacramento Airport Ground Transport: Buses, Rideshares, and When Driving Is Actually Worth It
Sacramento International Airport offers express bus 142, Yolobus 42A/42B, $12/day parking, rideshares, hotel shuttles, and taxis.
Can You Really Make a 45‑Minute Connection at ATL? It Depends Which Concourse Pair You Draw
At Atlanta Hartsfield‑Jackson, a 45‑minute layover hinges on your concourse pairing, Plane Train timing, and staying airside.
Palm Springs vs Ontario vs Long Beach: weekend airport math on $18–$20 parking and $1 buses
For SoCal weekend trips, Palm Springs, Ontario, and Long Beach flip ‘closest airport’ logic once you factor in parking, stress, lounges, $1 buses.
Atlantic City International Airport parking prices, from budget lots to premium spots
See how much it really costs to park at Atlantic City International Airport, from the cheapest long‑term options to pricier walk‑to‑the‑terminal choices.
LAX to Los Angeles: every option, honestly compared
From LAX-it to Metro to FlyAway, a blunt comparison of every way to get from LAX into Los Angeles, with family-travel realities and local traffic truths.