6 hr layover in ORD--Suggestions for family? UPDATE

[hercamore]

You are traveling at a less busy time of the year. I bet you can get that standby flight w/o too much trouble.

Good luck.

herc.

 

[Hannathy]

I thought if you checked luggage you couldn't get a standby flight anymore. This is what they told us at O Hare 2 wks ago. Flights were delayed getting out and we were there before the flight before us left but because we had checked luggage on our first leg we couldn't get on the earlier plane. Had to wait 3 hrs till our flight left. This was United so maybe it depends on the airline.

 

[Lewisc]

You're not required to fly on the same flight as your luggage. United was probably unwilling to pull your bags and put them on the earlier flight. United wouldn't have paid to ship your bags to you, you would have voluntarily separated yourself from your bags.

You might have gotten a different answer if you live close to the airport and told them you'd go back to the airport to pick up your bags. Flying standby works great with DME. Your bags get delivered to your resort even if they're not on the same flight as you.

I thought if you checked luggage you couldn't get a standby flight anymore. This is what they told us at O Hare 2 wks ago. Flights were delayed getting out and we were there before the flight before us left but because we had checked luggage on our first leg we couldn't get on the earlier plane. Had to wait 3 hrs till our flight left. This was United so maybe it depends on the airline.

 

[Hannathy]

We were willing we didn't even ask about the bags being switched,we would have gladly went back for them! We live very close to the airport. I even offered to stay in Chicago and fly on the original flight with the luggage if my DH and the kids could get on. They said once the bags were checked in you had to stay on the flights with your bags that there was nothing they could do.

 

[may06orbust]

I guess I (mistakenly) thought if I updated the thread it would be like a new thread. Bumping.

 

[bavaria]

(update is in post #1 for anyone wondering)

Good for you, OP! you were willing to make the best of a long layover, and your flights came out fine in the end. I give you a lot of credit for not fussing but finding a way to turn that layover into an adventure - great attitude to share with your children, too.

 

[may06orbust]

Thanks Bavaria! I guess I'll have to use the ORD scavenger hunt I made up another time.

 

[bavaria]

Thanks Bavaria! I guess I'll have to use the ORD scavenger hunt I made up another time.

some months it feels like I LIVE at ORD - I'll bet that I could answer some of those questions right now!