ORD Customs and Connection

[rbslos18]

We arrive from an overseas flight to ORD. Is it safe to assume a domestic connection of one hour and 20 minutes is not feasible given customs?

[CruiserBruce]

Immigration and Customs can be slow coming into the US, Immigration is almost always the slower process if you don't have Global Entry.

 

1:20 would worry me.

[FlyerTalker]

Knowing where you are coming from would be helpful, as you might be coming from a pre-clearance airport.

 

If not, then you will arrive at Terminal 5.  After the delays of immigration, then customs, you will then have to transfer to one of the domestic terminals (1, 2 or 3).  The airport train system is not working now, so you will have to use a shuttle bus airside.  Then, you will need to re-clear security and head to your gate.

 

1:20 might be legal.....it is also guaranteed to be stress inducing at best.

[rbslos18]

8 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

Knowing where you are coming from would be helpful, as you might be coming from a pre-clearance airport.

 

If not, then you will arrive at Terminal 5.  After the delays of immigration, then customs, you will then have to transfer to one of the domestic terminals (1, 2 or 3).  The airport train system is not working now, so you will have to use a shuttle bus airside.  Then, you will need to re-clear security and head to your gate.

 

1:20 might be legal.....it is also guaranteed to be stress inducing at best.

Thanks all. We pushed the cruise line to switch us to a later flight.

Edited August 24, 2021 by rbslos18

[rbslos18]

On 8/23/2021 at 11:27 PM, FlyerTalker said:

Knowing where you are coming from would be helpful, as you might be coming from a pre-clearance airport.

 

If not, then you will arrive at Terminal 5.  After the delays of immigration, then customs, you will then have to transfer to one of the domestic terminals (1, 2 or 3).  The airport train system is not working now, so you will have to use a shuttle bus airside.  Then, you will need to re-clear security and head to your gate.

 

1:20 might be legal.....it is also guaranteed to be stress inducing at best.

We are flying LH from Frankfurt. We arrive at ORD at 1:05PM and have two connecting flight options to SDF: either United: 2:25 PM or 5:50PM flights.(ORD_SDF). The first has 1:20 minute connection time and the later has more time to get through customs but a 4:45 minute connection time. Which would you choose?

Thanks

[FlyerTalker]

Long connect.

 

You will be arriving at T5.  You will process immigration and customs at that point.  Luckily, you can drop off your bags (if through checked with tags to SDF) with UA after leaving the secure customs area.

 

Now the "fun" begins.  Your onward flights leave from T1.  In the old days, you could take the ATS train between the terminals.  Not now.  Under repair and replacement, so you need to get one of the free landside shuttle buses.  Those buses are supposed to run every 5-15 minutes.  However, this is O'Hare/Chicago, so don't expect it.  Add in that they are doing significant construction on the roads that the shuttle takes at the airport, so more delays.

 

Now, at T1, you still have to go through TSA security and make your way to the gates.

 

All that is assuming your flight into ORD is on time.  Toss in a 15 minute delay and you are sprinting.

 

 

The good news is that with the long connect, you can have a nice meal at Rick Bayless' Tortas Frontera across from B11 in T1.

 

[rbslos18]

42 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said:

Long connect.

 

You will be arriving at T5.  You will process immigration and customs at that point.  Luckily, you can drop off your bags (if through checked with tags to SDF) with UA after leaving the secure customs area.

 

Now the "fun" begins.  Your onward flights leave from T1.  In the old days, you could take the ATS train between the terminals.  Not now.  Under repair and replacement, so you need to get one of the free landside shuttle buses.  Those buses are supposed to run every 5-15 minutes.  However, this is O'Hare/Chicago, so don't expect it.  Add in that they are doing significant construction on the roads that the shuttle takes at the airport, so more delays.

 

Now, at T1, you still have to go through TSA security and make your way to the gates.

 

All that is assuming your flight into ORD is on time.  Toss in a 15 minute delay and you are sprinting.

 

 

The good news is that with the long connect, you can have a nice meal at Rick Bayless' Tortas Frontera across from B11 in T1.

 

I guess I should stick with the longer connection! I'd hate to have stress the final day of vacation!

[FlyerTalker]

And a tip that I often give....if you started a book or two on the cruise and didn't finish, sitting in an airport is almost as easy a place to read as on a ship.  Just sit back and relax.

 

(It's amazing to me how many people don't bring a book or something to do with their "airport time", yet they then complain that they have to wait for the flight.)

[CruiserBruce]

Agree with the longer connection. If you don't have Global Entry, and ability to get off the plane quickly,  1:20 would worry me. As mentioned,  it will be very stress inducing.

[rbslos18]

17 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Agree with the longer connection. If you don't have Global Entry, and ability to get off the plane quickly,  1:20 would worry me. As mentioned,  it will be very stress inducing.

Both you and FlyerTalker are life savers. Reading a good book will not be a problem!

[FlyerTalker]

40 minutes ago, rbslos18 said:

Both you and FlyerTalker are life savers. 

 

Sweet, round and with a hole in the middle??

[rbslos18]

21 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

Sweet, round and with a hole in the middle??

Nah…just helping keep the Mrs. happy!