# Why is it called LAX? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 21, 2002, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123 "2002-07-21T20:16:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/61 "2002-07-24T12:07:44Z")
Hm. I thought it was a nationwide change from ARSA to Class C. Isn’t a TRSA different from an ARSA? ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/62 "2002-07-25T00:59:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Broomstick \* > \*\*Actually, Johnny, there are still a _few_ ARSA’s around, although I think they call 'em TRSA’s now (terminal radar service areas). There’s one up here in north east Indiana. From the pilot’s viewpoint, they might as well be Class C since the differences are pretty picky. Instead of a magenta or blue ring around the airport they have a dark grey ring. Not too common, and I have no idea why they weren’t converted to Class C. \*\* ARSAs and TRSAs are different. ARSAs (Airport Radar Surveillance Areas) are part of the old airspace rules that were changed in 1993. They are Class C now. As far as I know, there are no ARSAs left, since that would defeat the purpose of the change in the first place (to standardize with the rest of the world). Maybe some of them didn’t make it to Class C, and were made into TRSAs instead? TRSAs are Terminal Radar Service Areas. They always have Class D in the middle, and are used where you have a VERY busy Class D but still isn’t quite busy enough to be a Class C. From my understanding, it is meant to add safety to a busy Class D, since most of them do not have radar. The biggest differences between Class C and a TRSA are that you need no acknowlegement to enter, and participation is optional. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/63 "2002-07-25T01:10:03Z")
The Kings provide this memory tool: Class A. “A” for “Altitude”. Class B. “B” for “Big” or “Boeing”. These are airports that service large transport aircraft. You need permission to enter Class B airspace. Class C. “C” for “Communicate”. Busy airports that may have large jet traffic, but not as congested as Class B. You need to be acknowledged by registration number to enter. Class D. “D” for “Dialog”. You need to talk to the tower. Class E. “E” for “Everything else”. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/64 "2002-07-25T01:39:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CrankyAsAnOldMan \* > \*\*I thought that at one time “X” was the designation for an international airport. Granted, it’s not on EVERY international airport, but it’s on some. > \*\* I’m not sure about that. The Australian country town of Albury is ABX, and the airport there has never seen an iternational flight - probably never seen a jet aircraft. In my work with the Australia Post, I despatch mail by air to many smallish places in my home state which most Dopers would never have heard of, and it amazes me how close the airport abbreviations are to the town name: (Casino - CSI, Wagga Wagga - WGA, Dubbo - DBO, Tamworth - TMW, Grafton - GFN, Kempsey - KPS), and our big cites do well too (Sydney - SYD, Melbourne - MEL, Perth - PER, etc). I was surprised to find, therefore, that so many major US and Canadian cities have had to settle for unlikely ones. The Aussies must’ve bribed 'em. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/65 "2002-07-25T01:40:35Z")
What about G? 🙂 Oh, and how about something to help me remember what the visibility and cloud clearance requirements are for VFR flight in Class G below 10,000msl but above 1200agl? My brain starts to smoke when it comes to airspace. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/66 "2002-07-25T01:45:15Z")
> [@](#): > > I was surprised to find, therefore, that so many major US and Canadian cities have had to settle for unlikely ones. The Aussies must’ve bribed 'em. Biggest airport in the country, and we get YYZ. (Or CYYZ.) Yes, it seems odd, but how else would Rush have had something to write that song about? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/67 "2002-07-25T12:10:45Z")
> [@](#): > > What about G? Class G. “G” for “Go for it!” ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2002, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123/68 "2002-07-25T12:51:11Z")
You should note that due to the fact that too many airports have similar names, not everyone of them gets codes anywhere near the name. I think the US and Europe probably do moreso than other airports, simply because they had more planes way back when this all started. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-called-lax/120123.md?page=3)