On-line Check-in and Checking Luggage Question

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

I just got off the phone with UAL and got my flight times changed because they moved back my departure to an unacceptable time. We're now flying out of O'Hare at 4:05pm. Our kids will get out of school at 1:30pm and it will take us 1-1 1/2 hours to get ot ORD from school, which will get us to the airport at 3pm. I plan on using on-line check-in and it said that we need to go through security and be at the gate 20 min before departure, but I was unable to find any info about what is the latest that my luggage can be checked in at. If I have to take my kids out a little early, that's fine, but I need a timetable for my luggage so it doesn't miss the flight!

 

[safetymom]

Usually they stop 30 mins before a flight. You are really cutting it close. I would take your kids out at 12:30 at least. What if there is traffic on the way? Security can back up at O'Hare also.

 

[Taja]

I can't speak for O'Hare (I only transfer there and usually my luggage doesn't make the transfer!), but at PHX and most of the airports I use reguarly, they won't guarantee your luggage (well, as close as airlines "guarantee" anything!) making your flight less than 1 hour before boarding.

I've had it my luggage arrive with me less than 30 minutes before flight time and not make the flight 1.5 hours before flight time!

General rule probably is one hour to be safe.

 

[CarolA]

I agree with arriving 1 hour in advance at a minimum.

ORD is a major airport so if I was traveling with kids I would probably give myself 1.5 hours.

 

[mrscoobs]

This is from the United Website:
United recommends that you arrive at the airport 90 minutes prior to departure to complete the check-in process.
Baggage must be checked at the airport at least 30 minutes in advance of flight departure time except for the following airports which have a 45 minute cut-off time for baggage check-in:
Atlanta, Georgia (ATL)
Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT)
Chicago, Illinois O'Hare (ORD)
Denver, Colorado (DEN)
Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS)
Los Angeles, California (LAX)
New York, New York John F. Kennedy (JFK)
Orlando, Florida (MCO)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PHL)
Phoenix, Arizona (PHX)
Sacramento, California (SMF)
Seattle, Washington (SEA)
San Francisco, California (SFO)
Tampa, Florida (TPA)
Washington DC Dulles International Airport (IAD)
-----If these time limits are not met, United will be excluded from liability.

ORD 45 mins, I would give myself at least 60 min before for my baggage and to get through security and to the gate.

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

Thanks for everyone's repsonses. I told DH about the flight change and we're going to take the kids out of school around 45 min early to make sure we make it to ORD on time.