Chicago - Chicago O'hare : need to surprise girlfriend

My girlfriend is to land at Terminal 3 of O'hare, and is supposed to take the free shuttle to the hotel to meet me there.
But I want to surprise her by meeting her at the airport.
I have looked at the terminal maps, and trying to figure out a spot where I would not miss her.
Either the shuttle spot, or is it possible to go till the Terminal 3 exit gates and meet her there ? Seems there are 2 exits , also there seem to be 3 levels at this airport ? Seems a bit confusing..
Any help much appreciated :)

Is she checking luggage?

If you're looking on the map, the lower level where the luggage claims are has 4 exit points (3a, 3d, 3e, 3g) to where awaiting vehicles park.

http://www.ohare.com/PDF/PassengerInformation/D3%20%20H%2005-2011%20WEB%20Acce%20K.pdf

If she needs to take the hotel shuttle, she'll have to make her way to the bus shuttle center anyway. It's an easy walk from the lower level exits and across the street. Yes, you could take the unground ped way to reach it. You didn't say if you were flying in or taking the Blue line in from the city or driving and parking.

Considering there's two major transitions from the upper to lower levels, I would be hesitant against trying to wait for her at either.

I put in a link to the Terminal 3 map above.

Of course, you could get a gate pass in the form of a fully-refundable ticket to anywhere (departing sometime after her flight arrives). Just cancel it after making it through security (or later that day). It's free, although you do tie up a few hundred dollars on a credit card for maybe a couple days, depending on how fast the airline processes the refund.

Thanks for the reply. Shes not checking any luggage.
But I guess the best bet would be to wait at the shuttle stop.
I am flying in to terminal 2 one hour before she lands.

Is she checking luggage?

If you're looking on the map, the lower level where the luggage claims are has 4 exit points (3a, 3d, 3e, 3g) to where awaiting vehicles park.

http://www.ohare.com/PDF/PassengerInformation/D3%20%20H%2005-2011%20WEB%20Acce%20K.pdf

If she needs to take the hotel shuttle, she'll have to make her way to the bus shuttle center anyway. It's an easy walk from the lower level exits and across the street. Yes, you could take the unground ped way to reach it. You didn't say if you were flying in or taking the Blue line in from the city or driving and parking.

Considering there's two major transitions from the upper to lower levels, I would be hesitant against trying to wait for her at either.

I put in a link to the Terminal 3 map above.

Shes not checking in any luggage. But as you said multiple exits, perhaps best bet is to wait at the shuttle stop.
I am flying in to terminal 2 one hour before she lands.

I am flying in to terminal 2 one hour before she lands.

Do you have checked bags you have to pick up?

Do you have checked bags you have to pick up?
No, only carry on..

I am flying in to terminal 2 one hour before she lands.

Then you can meet her at her arrival gate.

Then you can meet her at her arrival gate.

Exactly, walk over to her arrival gate.

Exactly, walk over to her arrival gate.

Agree. There is a "Secure" walk-way between T2 and T3. Just make sure you don't walk past the sign that says "You are leaving a secure area." :p

Plenty of people can direct you to the walk-way and then just go find her gate.

Fly safe

Thanks all, feel a bit silly, I should have figured that out looking at the terminal map :p