While they limit what you can carry on 3-1-1. You can take full size bottles in your checked bags. I would condider bringing only what you need in a smaller container. Liquids are heavy and you don't want to have to pay extra for an overweight bag. Also put all your liquids in a zip-lock bag to protect the rest of your things in case of leakage.
This is very good and true advice about liquids on planes. In all honesty, on a trip from Chicago to Orlando, which is quite short, I would not take any liquids in my carry on unless it's something you will absolutely need in the time you are on the plane - medication, etc. I never take any liquids on the plane unless I'm flying a long distance flight with multiple legs and might end up stuck somewhere.
Yes, you can take your laptop, iPod, cell phone, etc. on the plane with you.
The most important thing you should know is what to do when you get to security at the airport - people in Chicago aren't known for being the most patient and kind at airports and will visibly roll their eyes at you if you hold up the security line in the airport - especially if you travel during a weekday when lots of business travelers are trying to get out.
Here's what you need to know so you won't look like a novice...this is just for getting through security - so you have your boarding pass at this point and your luggage has been checked.
1. Have your boarding pass and your I.D. in your hand when you get in the security line. You will eventually approach a podium where someone will want to see both.
2. When he returns them, you can put your I.D. away, but continue to hold your boarding pass - you'll need it again.
3. As you approach the security screeners, grab a bin (or three...), take off your shoes and put them in a bin. I add stuff from my pockets, etc to the same bin. If you are wearing a hat - throw it in. Same with a belt that has metal.
4. Remove your laptop from the bag and put it in a bin by itself.
5. Place your carry on bag, directly on the belt, don't try to shove it in a bin. If you are wearing a jacket, place that on the belt as well - no need to put it in a bin. I've seen TSA ask people to take them out multiple times. If you do have liquids, they must come out of your bag and go into a bin as well.
6. Make sure your boarding pass is still in your hand and NOT in one of the bins.
7. When you get to the front of the line, wait for the TSA personnel to sort of nod at you or motion you through. Some don't care if you come on your own, but they like people to come through one at a time and I've seen a few employees get really snippy with passengers for not waiting their turn or, god forbid, coming too soon.
8. As you walk through the metal detector, the TSA agent on the other end will have his hand held out. He doesn't want to shake - he wants your boarding pass. Hand it to him. He'll look at it for a second and then scribble something on it before handing it back to you.
9. Stand next to the other end of the conveyor and grab all your stuff - returning it as quickly as possible to your feet and bags.
You made it! Oh, and don't panic if they pull you aside to wave their magic wand at you. If you set off the alarm a few times, they'll do it as a matter of course, but they also choose random passengers - I win that prize a lot. It's no big deal...
A couple of other things I do...
1. I always try to take a bag that I'll be able to fit under the seat in front of me. I hate bothering people to get into the overhead bins during a flight so I bring a back pack or smaller bag that I can shove in front of me. It gives me more flexibility to get my stuff during the flight.
2. When I sit down in my seat, I always take out a book and my iPhone so that I have something to do until we are in the air and I can access my things again. The phone will have to be turned off for awhile, but at least I can make calls until they shut the doors to the plane and then I can read while we wait to take off.
If you are leaving from O'Hare - get there really early, especially if you have an early morning flight. If you are leaving from Midway, you don't need to be there as early - but I'm not as sure about times, I haven't flown out of Midway since I lived in Chicago 7 years ago.
You can pretty much put anything you want in your packed luggage. But, putting liquids into a ziploc or two is a good idea. I've even been known to use a small amount of packing tape on the lids because on one business trip I arrived to find a lovely concoction of shampoo and lotion covering all my clothes - what can I say, I'm just lucky like that!
