10 years living in LA, here. Here’s the uber guide for LAX: https://www.uber.com/airports/lax/
Where in LA are you going?
An uberX (the lowest cost uber) will be the same price or less as a cab. You don’t need to tip, it’s included in the cost.
If you really feel more comfortable taking a cab there is a stand at the arrival level where you’ll need to wait in line.
While you’re staying in LA and want to get around, however, there is no comparison in taxis vs uber. Uber has fundamentally changed the way that Los Angeles works for the better. You used to have to wait 30–45 for a cab to come, and even then they were unreliable. Now, the only downside of taking an uber is that you may have to endure some awkward small talk.
Edit: yes, there was some hullabaloo about the airport (I think it was in picking people up) but they’ve resolved that with the airport. I think it will be faster to call an uber than waiting in the cab queue, especially since they come in on the departure level where it’s way less crowded.
You’ll get a time estimate for pickup and location as soon as you request the car, and yes, it’s accurate within 3 minutes in my experience.