Chicago O'Hare Airport

Overall it is not too bad previous comments about inter terminal transfer are not quite right as the monorail runs to all terminals. Access to down town via the subway is good and quick. The biggest issue is in T5 and that is the almost absence of any decent retail outlets (food and drinks etc) either side of the gates. Like all US airports security and internal long haul to short haul domestic flights is an absolute pain that needs a goof two hours for the uneducated.

Quite the worst international airport I have ever been through. There is no direct link between the domestic terminals and the international terminal which means if you come in on an International flight you have no hope connecting unless you have at least a 3 hour wait between flights. This airport is totally unable to cope with the numbers of passengers going through it and the sooner it creates a link between the terminals where connecting passengers can go through their own security check it will get worse. I avoid this airport like the plague and pay extra to avoid it.

A warning to people who become stranded here overnight. Do yourself the favor and get a hotel. The rudest unfriendliest airport authorities will wake you up repeatedly to ask why you are there. As if I want to be there!

Transited through Chicago en route to Delhia from Philadelphia. I had 8 hours between flights enroute to Delhi so popped into town by train for a walk. It was easy cheap and convenient to take the train downtown. On my way home had a 2 hour transit between flights from Delhi and onward to Philly. No problem. Passport contol customs and rechecking my bag went smoothly. Transit between T5 and T3 was easy on the Airport Transit System. Security was a bit slow but nothing unexpected. I was through everything an at my gate with an hour spare.

For being one of the largest and busiest airports in the United States and the world I think it would be nice for this airport to be more modern and aesthetically appealing. This airport has a nondescript "just sort of here" rustic utilitarian atmosphere that leaves me unimpressed. Other airports such as Houston's Bush Intercontinental Dallas-Fort Worth International Detroit and even Minneapolis-St. Paul have a more upscale look to them.

We arrived in International Terminal 5 very late due to bad weather and had missed the last flight to Denver. We were rebooked on the first flight out the next day but since it was a different airline did not receive a voucher for a hotel. We decided to rough it out for 6 hrs in T5 upon advice from a Chicago City policeman as they had a snack stand that was open 24hrs. There were quite a few of us sharing this predicament (12 total). Around 2am a group of Aviation Police waltzed thru waking everyone up demanding to know why we were there. They proceeded to 'evict' a small group of what appeared to be homeless men in a most rude manner. These men were not bothering anyone were not under the influence of anything and were quietly sleeping (I had spoken to one of the gentlemen earlier and he was most friendly). My 9 yr old daughter started to cry at the way these poor people were treated and asked me why those policemen were being so mean.

What a pit this place is. Came into Terminal 5 - zero signs for international transit and first area you show up has 1000+ people in line. Crazy. Figured out by myself there must be a different place for transit but still lines by no means short. Once through the customs little info to help on where to go to get your next flight. Finally figured T1 so train it was. Then at T1 crazy long security lineup - why did they have me leave the security zone I was in when I landed in T5 to then go back into the security zone in T1 - job making I guess as it sure is inefficient and wasted 2 hours of my time. Had 3 hours to connect and just barely made it. T1 is old and tired. Basic African airports aren't this bad and for many arriving to US for first time their initial impression is sad indeed.

Arriving international as a non US citizen is a lottery at ORD. You can be very lucky and get straight through in no time at all if your plane is the only international arrival. I have taken the evening AA flight from LHR many times and found immigration bags and customs superb. However at other times it is a nightmare. Certain times of day you have 4-5 widebodies full of Germans and Koreans and I have waited in a hot immigration line for 2 hours+. Not quite as bad as Miami or Delta at JFK but worth avoiding. Unfortunately you do not know until you get there. They open a second hall when busy and that helps but it is still horrible at wrong time and wonderful at right time. Walk from plane is not too long. The shuttle between terminals is efficient and quick (wish LHR had one) and the Hilton Hotel in the airport is very convenient for overnight connections (otherwise you need 3.5 hours minimum to guarantee international connection (which is a pain when you get through in 20 minutes).

Passed through Chicago on United flying from Rochester to Jackson Hole and back. Outward bound I was arriving and departing through Terminal 1 C Concourse. Good selection of eateries and bars. Free Wi Fi and pay for internet access if you didn't bring your laptop. Plenty of room even though this was late morning on a Friday. Returning I arrived at and departed from Terminal 1 B Concourse. I only has a short time to look around as I was making my connection. B Concourse seems much more crowded and cramped than C. Security was very very busy. I was lucky I didn't have to pass security. I can see how if one is arriving here from overseas and has to change terminals this Airport could be an absolute nightmare.

The queue for immigration was mercifully quite short and there were a number of officers on duty. Just as well because the temperature was very high and although we only had to quue for about twenty minutes it felt like bread waiting to be baked in a furnace. The luggage was on the belt as we came out of immigration. We were sharing a belt with passengers from another flight and different airline so quite a bit of confusion. The car rental sites are away from the airport so we had to wait for a courtesy bus to take us over to them. Consequently it was about an hour and a half after landing before we were on the road.