bluekarin Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Just booked mine and my YD flight to Chicago in December for my brothers wedding. As a very infrequent flyer (3 times in 40 something years) and never to USA, I am a tad nervous. Heck, who am I kidding! I was shaking throughout the booking I am not so much nervous about the flight, more about the airports and not getting us lost. Does anyone have any hints on tips, especially experience of flying to Chicago O'Hare airport, terminal 5 I think? It's the little things like are we allowed to have boiled sweets for take off? Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 All I can say is my first ever flight (anywhere!) was a solo flight to the USA - in this case, New York JFK. I was a tad concerned myself but figured other people seem to cope, so why shouldn't I?! There was some paperwork to do on the plane to do with the Visa Waiver program, but I have a feeling you have to do that in advance now (register with the INS or something - might be worth double checking before you fly) I can't help with O'Hare, but I did get a bit lost at JFK on my way home - all I can say is, just ask someone - I did and they were really helpful. Is someone going to meet you there, or do you need to arrange transport from the airport? You'll be fine!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 Thanks. Just looking at the ESTA now. Never heard of it before. I did wonder about visas, so I go this is the new thing. We have to organise transport the other end so am looking at pre booking a taxi to the hotel and possibly doing the same from the hotel to the airport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 MS went through there quite recently, that terminal. He travels on his own and says he liked the airport and had no problems, it was well signposted and people were friendly and willing to help. Being a bearded, solo male traveller he always tends to have to go for extra security but that is always done with good humour and is no problem. He never takes any food or drink through security but buys everything he needs when he is airside or in America. He told me to say that he recommends the toilets at that airport, he found some of those high-tech ones that rotate and clean themselves with every use. He travels to America for adventure quite often and goes on his own to meet friends he has made but often he is travelling around on his own and has found all transport types friendly and practical. Use your English accent to full effect, it's made him quite a few friends. You should do your Esta before you leave if you haven't. It shows up on your passport. The main problem he has had is his bank stopping his card for security reasons. Don't forget to tell them you are going to America. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 That's it, ESTA, you need a newish passport to qualify though (it needs to have the little sort of camera symbol on it). In New York and (when I went to Boston some years later) I found the best thing to do was use the shuttle buses that seem to zip between the airports and the city centre hotels (door to door) you can buy a "round trip" as they call it (a return here!) probably for less than a taxi and they will pick you up from your hotel when you leave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 My son went solo to the US in February this year aged just 17. You need to fill in the ESTA online, make sure that you do it on the official Homeland Security site which should cost about $14 there are loads of other sites that you can do it through but they charge a lot more and are legitimate but are out to fleece the unwary. You also need to have at least 6 months left on your passport on the date you travel. Have fun, DS said that the big security guys look intimidating but they are ok just doing their job. He had forgotten that he had a ball point pen in his inside coat pocket when he went through the scanners on the way back and then when he removed it it fell apart with the spring flying off. He was terrified and they thought it was hilarious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 I go every year to the US and sometimes twice - I have flown into terminal 5 twice - I now go via Detroit as its nearer my friends house and you can take all sorts on the plane - chocolate, biscuits, sweets and once you have gone through security you can buy juice/water to take on board too. You can even take fruit but you must eat it or ditch it in the bins before landing in the us. Yes you need to apply for your ESTA visa and need to pay for it but it is just a formailty and then you have it - once you land in the US, do not worry but they are not very friendly at immigration and you need to provide finger prints and eye retina scans but it is just their manner and they are protecting their country - On board you have a form to fill in telling where you are going to stay the first night so need to remember that - you need your passport number on it and any goods you are bringing to the US like presents and the value. Nothing to hide then no problems - they just ask questions about where are you going and why are you here!!! Just enjoy the experience - where do you fly from? and which airline are you going with? BTW I did not have 6 months on my passport in June when I went - as long as it is in date its fine - mine ran out beginning October and I have just renewed it. It is not true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Chicago is one of my favourite cities Terminal 5 at O'Hare isn't really big enough to get lost in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Hi I usually take a look at their web sites See http://chicago-ord.worldairportguides.com/terminal-5-map.php H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
