Chicago O'Hare Connection

[policycobb]

We are flying on Saturday, 10/4, from Evansville, IN to Chicago O’Hare and then to Orlando on American Airline. When I booked my flight in February I had an almost 3 hr layover in Chicago which was fine. I hate short connections. Well, in July my flight changed and I have only 45 minutes to make my connection which made me nervous but okay. Now with the cancellations and delays at O’Hare I am very worried. I check American Airline travel alerts several times a day and there is nothing for Saturday. The AA site is showing we arrive at gate G1A and depart at H16 (which I know will probably change) is that doable in less than 45 minutes? Trying not to panic.

 

[littlejimmy]

Very doable. and you will even have time for a bathroom break.

 

[policycobb]

Thank you! I'll probably need the bathroom break.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you can take your bathroom break before your first plane lands. At the very least make your way to the next gate, and then use the restroom in the airport if you have time. Your priority is to make that connection.

 

[Detailor]

We are flying on Saturday, 10/4, from Evansville, IN to Chicago O’Hare and then to Orlando on American Airline. When I booked my flight in February I had an almost 3 hr layover in Chicago which was fine. I hate short connections. Well, in July my flight changed and I have only 45 minutes to make my connection which made me nervous but okay. Now with the cancellations and delays at O’Hare I am very worried. I check American Airline travel alerts several times a day and there is nothing for Saturday. The AA site is showing we arrive at gate G1A and depart at H16 (which I know will probably change) is that doable in less than 45 minutes? Trying not to panic.

American flights are in Terminal 3. The regional American Eagle or US Airways Express like the one that you'll probably be on from Evansville to Chicago generally come and go from Concourse G while the large jets that American Airlines flies go out of Concourse H and K (together they make sort of a Y in the middle of the Terminal). G1A is one of the gates that are closest to the Terminal building so that's in your favor (assuming you actually do end up gating there). It's not far from G to H or K (turn right from your Gate if it's G1A and keep bearing to the right; you'll go past a Starbucks and then gates H1 and H2, then turn right down toward H and K; stay to the right at the "Y" and head all the way to the end of the H concourse if your flight is leaving from H16, it's all the way down on the right).

The problem with the 45 minute layover is the reliance that your first flight will be on-time (and "on-time" is up to 14 minutes after the scheduled arrival time), that de-planing will go quickly, that you didn't gate-check a stroller or bag that you have to wait for and that your second flight doesn't leave early (I know, it's O'Hare, but I've seen it happen there on occasion).

If you're concerned about be able to make that second flight, I'd suggest calling the airline to see if they could change you to a slightly later flight in light of the change that they made.

Dick Taylor

 

[maxiesmom]

OP--Can I ask why didn't you call the airline when you first spotted the short connection? They will typically let you change to another flight of your choosing at no charge when they move your flight time that much.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

There is no airport on the planet where I have spent as much time as I have at O'Hare, waiting for delayed flights or having canceled flights, weather delays, etc. I think 45 minutes for a connection time is too close.

 

[Mikie]

There is no airport on the planet where I have spent as much time as I have at O'Hare, waiting for delayed flights or having canceled flights, weather delays, etc. I think 45 minutes for a connection time is too close.

Double ditto from my hubby who travels all the time.

Take a peek to see when other flights are, if there is another that works better for you, they will change your flight at no charge since they are the ones who rearranged your schedule. In my experience, if the change is <1 hour different, they won't fix it, but anything greater and they will (pending availability)

Last - it's not impossible! If you are stuck with this - take a deep breath and hope for the best!, good luck

 

[Yellowjj]

It is actually do-able. I have walked G,H and K in the space of 20 minutes...and I do mean at a leisurely pace.

However, if your worried, call American and asked to be switched to a later flight. They should do it for free because of the schedule change; plus I don't believe O'Hare is back to full capacity yet.

 

[NancyIL]

I wouldn't take that chance at O'Hare. Although you could make it in 45 minutes if your flight arrives on time, your checked luggage might not make it.