Flying out of O'hare?

[LilyWDW]

I have not flown in 2-3 years at all and have not flown out of O'hare in like 32 years (I was 10).

We have a 9am American Airlines flights on a Saturday in September. I was wondering if anyone could help me figure out the best time to arrive at O'Hare for this flight. We will be taking an Uber as I live on the North Side of Chicago.

Also, any basic tips or hints that could help this go smoother? I hate flying. I have horrible anxiety.

Thanks!

 

[gmi3804]

I'm in Evanston, a 30-minute ride away. For a 9AM flight I leave home at 7. I have TSA PreCheck.

 

[NYCgrrl]

When you go to the Uber app they tell you the approx time it’ll take from starting point to destination. Might help?
Chi-town sounds reminiscent of NYC traffic wise so I’d just get there the standard (on this end) 3 hours in advance.

HTH.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Also, any basic tips or hints that could help this go smoother? I hate flying. I have horrible anxiety.

Sit in the aisle seat, don’t look out the window, and chew gum to keep your ears from popping. Put your earphones/air pods in and play your favorite soothing music.

 

[EACarlson]

Do you have any bags to check? Precheck? Make sure they drop you off at Terminal 3. I would plan to get there at around 6:45. Get through security and have breakfast at Rick Bayless' Tortas Frontera.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

I live on the north side a few blocks west of Wrigley Field. I think traffic will be light....especially since the current construction on 94 is completed on that side of the highway on the north side. Biggest factors I think is if you are checking bags and have TSA pre-check. I find the ORD Pre-check lines in T3 to be some of the fastest in the country. In my last 50 flights on AA out of ORD I'd guess my avg wait time in TSA precheck is 5 minutes. The longest was maybe 10m and that was once.

If TSA Precheck and carry on I'd get in the Uber at 7am. if checking bags and/or no precheck I'd leave at 630am.

 

[Vulcan Muppet]

I almost exclusively fly out of ORD (I live about 10 minutes away with good traffic). I would make sure to arrive at least 2 hours ahead of the scheduled flight time.

 

[Ursula J]

I'd arrive by 7, just so you can cut out one cause of anxiety. As for dealing with the anxiety, I'm a recovered fearful flier and here's what helped/helps:

1. If you're a coffee drinker, definitely have some so you won't get the withdrawal headache, but cut down.
2. Let yourself eat comfort food before/during. Even if you want to eat healthy in WDW (sad! lol) the flight is the time to allow yourself the candy or whatever.
3. If there's a friendly-looking flight attendant, feel free to ask on the way onto the plane "How does the flight look for today? I'm an anxious flier and it helps me to know if there's going to be lots of turbulence." That person, ideally, reassures you but also, you're a known commodity to the crew.
4. Remember it's absolutely the safest way to travel! And that the pilots/flight attendants also have families they want to get home to. They're not taking chances.
5. Don't go for alcohol or any tranquilizers (alcohol will amplify anxiety/fear in the wrong moments, and it's unpredictable. Tranquilizers should only be used if you absolutely know how they work in you. Being confused or incoherent isn't going to help anything and may make it worse.
6. IF you're spiritual or religious, you can post here or on something like social media that you're about to take off and would appreciate some prayers of comfort. For whatever reason, this really helped me a lot.
7. Download a guided meditation or relaxing music. My daughter swears by one of her "comfort movies" (in her case, Ocean's Eleven or Mama Mia, but that's her lol)
8. Bring something like a blanket you love or wear your absolute favorite comfort clothes--you can change in Orlando!
9. Never try to "read" the faces of the crew. If they look grumpy or stressed, chances are it has to do with anything other than the safety of the flight. They forgot their lunch or don't like that guy in first class or their kid was rude to them. They're not frowning because something terrible is going to happen.
10. Remember that you are on vacation the minute you step on that plane, and relax. You'll get there.

Not comprehensive, but maybe something you can use? ENJOY YOUR TRIP.

 

[LilyWDW]

I live on the north side a few blocks west for Wrigley Field. I think traffic will be light....especially since the current construction on 94 is completed on that side of the highway on the north side. Biggest factors I think is if you are checking bags and have TSA pre-check. I find the ORD Pre-check lines in T3 to be some of the fastest in the country. In my last 50 flights on AA out of ORD I'd guess my avg wait time in TSA precheck is 5 minutes. The longest was maybe 10m and that was once.

If TSA Precheck and carry on I'd get in the Uber at 7am. if checking bags and/or no precheck I'd leave at 630am.

I think we are actually pretty dang close to each other! Though I am a bit east of Wrigley closer to the lake front.

We will not be checking bags. I think we will aim to have our uber about 6am. Can't hurt if we end up a bit early because we can grab food/drink once we get through security. Also have to do the normal "make sure our gate exists" pass haha. I do like to get a special snack for on the plane as well.

I have an aisle seat due to other medical reasons (I WILL have to use the bathroom at least once on the flight). My friend will be in the aisle seat across from me. I just don't like the lack of control and I am also quite claustrophobic so that is where my anxiety comes from.

 

[_19disnA]

I think the best plan is to arrive at the airport 2 hrs prior to your domestic flight. Airports can be quite congested early in the day as there are many flights departing. Look at a map of the airport prior to leaving home so you have a general idea where things are and where you are going. If you have TSA pre-check, it can be a bit quicker getting through security, but won't have any impact on the other things that might cause the airport to be congested. I would much rather arrive early then be rushing to my gate since the plane will leave without you if you aren't on time.

If you are an infrequent flyer, also look on the TSA website so you have a general idea of what is/isn't permitted on the aircraft. This avoids surprises/delays at security since you mentioned you won't have any checked luggage. There are size limits to various types of products you are allowed to take on the aircraft. Getting through security often takes extra time when the people in front of you act like the rules somehow don't apply to them, aren't paying attention to the announcements being made, have no idea what to do or need to unpack various items not permitted on the aircraft.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I have not flown in 2-3 years at all and have not flown out of O'hare in like 32 years (I was 10).

We have a 9am American Airlines flights on a Saturday in September. I was wondering if anyone could help me figure out the best time to arrive at O'Hare for this flight. We will be taking an Uber as I live on the North Side of Chicago.

Also, any basic tips or hints that could help this go smoother? I hate flying. I have horrible anxiety.

Thanks!

Traffic will be relatively light on a Saturday morning. American Airlines is in terminal 3. I would arrive 2 hours early just in case.

 

[fly girl]

I think we are actually pretty dang close to each other! Though I am a bit east of Wrigley closer to the lake front.

We will not be checking bags. I think we will aim to have our uber about 6am. Can't hurt if we end up a bit early because we can grab food/drink once we get through security. Also have to do the normal "make sure our gate exists" pass haha. I do like to get a special snack for on the plane as well.

I have an aisle seat due to other medical reasons (I WILL have to use the bathroom at least once on the flight). My friend will be in the aisle seat across from me. I just don't like the lack of control and I am also quite claustrophobic so that is where my anxiety comes from.

Always error on the side of getting there early, which it sounds like you are. Gate agents nowadays don’t wait, that door closes 10 minutes prior to posted departure time. Departure time for airlines is boarding door closed, plane pushing back from jet bridge. You’ll never stress about being at the airport early, and you can get that special snack you like.

I can’t speak for all Flight Attendants, but I was always happy to help calm anxious flyers. Talk to them if you are feeling uneasy. You can always pop your head in the cockpit when boarding to ask them how the flight is looking today. Most will be cordial and likely tell you what is projected. If you don’t feel comfortable with either of those, the easy thing to do is watch the F/A’s body language and facial expressions. If they aren’t phased, things are good. FYI, the most common things passengers were anxious about are completely normal occurrences: turbulence, sounds (esp the airbus “dog barking” hydraulics before departure), and condensation from keeping the aircraft cool in warm/humid weather. If you’re unsure, ask. They’ll tell you. Hopefully in a reassuring and pleasant tone, but I know there are some bad apples that can ruin it for the bunch.

Make sure to have air vent on and pointed at you. It helps with the lack of personal space.

You got this!

 

[LilyWDW]

Make sure to have air vent on and pointed at you. It helps with the lack of personal space.

Thank you for the reminder! I HAVE to do this on take off and landing because the motion of those get me a bit dizzy and nauseated. Rest of the flight no problem, but the acceleration/deceleration without FEELING the air throws my body off. So I have it going full blast during that, and usually leave it on the whole time.

 

[Justrose]

I am going to use a lot of this advice. I am a nervous flier, too.