I have to agree - LAX and JFK are my own personal bete noirs. AKL isn't that wonderful - the blatant duty-free product placement at both ends of the process is

I have to agree - LAX and JFK are my own personal bete noirs. AKL isn't that wonderful - the blatant duty-free product placement at both ends of the process is (as a kiwi) frankly embarrassing, it's terribly "exit through the gift shop" sort of experience that reflects badly on us all (and always leaves me in tears from being forced to walk through all the perfume - not unlike being stuck next to that little old lady who's lost her sense of smell on the bus)