O'Hare recently?

[weluvdizne]

We always fly out of Midway, but got an awesome deal on airfare out of O'Hare. So, just wondering what has been your recent experience getting through O'Hare. We are traveling with 3 kids 9,6, and 10 months. We will also have a stroller, car seat, and each will have a carry on.

Also, we always fly SW, but this time, it's AA. What are the differences? I feel like I am forgetting something since I do not have to check in 24 hours before the flight to get a good boarding group. KWIM?

Thanks for the insight!

 

[Tinknalli]

I'm interested to hear as well. We have a AA flight that connects through Ohare.

 

[soxyes]

We flew out of O'Hare in June (and usually use O'Hare unless the flights out of MDW are too hard to resist). Our family is the type that starts vacation as soon as we leave the driveway, so we usually get to the airport 2 hours before departure, sometimes a bit sooner if traffic is easy.

That being said, we haven't had any trouble getting to the gate. You need to expect a bit of a line for security, but it moves pretty well. We always have our id's ready, and then just move through as quickly as possible. There are four of us (me, DH, DS11, DD7), but our biggest pain is pulling the laptop and C-Pap (Sleep Apnea) machine out as we go through the scans. We've learned to pull that out before we're actually at the belt and that seems to help. Other than us being some of the slowest during the actual scan, it's been fine.

The only other inconvenience is that sometimes there's a bit of a walk to the gate (just because O'Hare is so big), but for us it's never been an issue. Remember, you're headed to WDW!!! It's happy time!!!

 

[BreezysMom]

I can answer it and I have the exact opposite question

We have always flown out of O Hare. You check in 24 hours before your flight on line and then you can print your boarding pass and even pay for your baggage fees. You should have your seats selected already? If not go online and do it now.

Then when you get to the airport they have self service baggage checks or you can use the skycaps. You just need your boarding pass and any paper work if you pre-paid for baggage. Even if you chose to pay at the airport the AA self serve is fairly user friendly.

Then you just head through security. We have never had an issue getting through security at a fairly rapid rate. Then you head to your gate. As the previous poster said, ORD is big so your gate could be quite a walk. They board first class first and then the back of the plane forward. It is fairly efficient. When I book AA or UA flights I always chose a seat at the back of the plane so we can have space in the overhead bin With baggage fees people bring a lot of carry on. A couple times we have had to hand over our carry on to be checked, but at least you don't pay for it but may be minor inconvenience.

I hope that helps a little.

So tell me about Midway? I have not been there is about 15+ years. We have early bird check in so I will print our boarding passes but I wondered if being dropped off and picked up is as easy as it was in years past?

Also what their security lines our like and checking bags?? I am a SW virgin for sure

 

[BreezysMom]

I also forgot to mention that Ohare is generally family friendly with the security lines. They don't make the kiddos take off their shoes anymore.

They most likely will make you check the stroller and car seat at the gate but then they unload it and give it back to you at the gate in Orlando I would make sure you leave plenty of time before your flight so you don't stress yourself out as OHare can be intimidating but your should be fine

Happy travels

 

[backyardponder]

I can answer it and I have the exact opposite question

We have always flown out of O Hare. You check in 24 hours before your flight on line and then you can print your boarding pass and even pay for your baggage fees. You should have your seats selected already? If not go online and do it now.

Then when you get to the airport they have self service baggage checks or you can use the skycaps. You just need your boarding pass and any paper work if you pre-paid for baggage. Even if you chose to pay at the airport the AA self serve is fairly user friendly.

Then you just head through security. We have never had an issue getting through security at a fairly rapid rate. Then you head to your gate. As the previous poster said, ORD is big so your gate could be quite a walk. They board first class first and then the back of the plane forward. It is fairly efficient. When I book AA or UA flights I always chose a seat at the back of the plane so we can have space in the overhead bin With baggage fees people bring a lot of carry on. A couple times we have had to hand over our carry on to be checked, but at least you don't pay for it but may be minor inconvenience.

I hope that helps a little.

So tell me about Midway? I have not been there is about 15+ years. We have early bird check in so I will print our boarding passes but I wondered if being dropped off and picked up is as easy as it was in years past?

Also what their security lines our like and checking bags?? I am a SW virgin for sure

Drop off and pick up are pretty easy at MDW. The new terminal, which is East of Cicero, has 2 levels and isn't bad. The traffic cops keep things moving. There's a cell phone lot just south of the airport on Cicero. I recommend waiting there until you get a call to pick up someone. It is less than a 5 minute drive from the lot to the terminal. If you get to the terminal and nobody's at the curb waiting for the car, they shoo the car off...so call after getting luggage.

For parking, I like Midway Park, Ride, and Fly, located on 47th street just east of Central. It's easy to access off the Stevenson Expy by going south on Central and turn left at the first light. It is best to pre-pay your parking at www.midwayparkridefly.com. They have a very frequent shuttle bus which picks you up and drops you off right at your car. They have indoor parking, if you want, but I've never used it.

John

 

[backyardponder]

I can answer it and I have the exact opposite question

We have always flown out of O Hare. You check in 24 hours before your flight on line and then you can print your boarding pass and even pay for your baggage fees. You should have your seats selected already? If not go online and do it now.

Then when you get to the airport they have self service baggage checks or you can use the skycaps. You just need your boarding pass and any paper work if you pre-paid for baggage. Even if you chose to pay at the airport the AA self serve is fairly user friendly.

Then you just head through security. We have never had an issue getting through security at a fairly rapid rate. Then you head to your gate. As the previous poster said, ORD is big so your gate could be quite a walk. They board first class first and then the back of the plane forward. It is fairly efficient. When I book AA or UA flights I always chose a seat at the back of the plane so we can have space in the overhead bin With baggage fees people bring a lot of carry on. A couple times we have had to hand over our carry on to be checked, but at least you don't pay for it but may be minor inconvenience.

I hope that helps a little.

So tell me about Midway? I have not been there is about 15+ years. We have early bird check in so I will print our boarding passes but I wondered if being dropped off and picked up is as easy as it was in years past?

Also what their security lines our like and checking bags?? I am a SW virgin for sure

On your other questions on MDW...security isn't much different than anywhere else. During busy times, it can take a while. During slow times it is fast.

On checking bags with SW, you need to have your boarding pass in hand before entering the bag check line. In my travels with SW, this is the only place where I've seen this. It does help move things along, however. If you can't print your boarding passes before getting to the airport, stop at the kisok before entering the line and just print your pass. When you get to the point of baggage check in, you scan your boarding pass...very fast.

Food at MDW: Definately the best place for airport food, in my opinion, is the Potbelly's just past the security point. Great sandwiches, the same as they make at their various other locations, and very reasonably priced. Their breakfast sandwiches are great too. You'll see lots of airline folks getting their food here.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

O'Hare - I have spent many, many hours there waiting for delayed flights. A really boring airport. However, it's pretty much the same as any other huge airport. Nothing unusual about security.