Originally Posted by
kenn0223
Even though the flight may be delayed, that does not equate to check-in being delayed. IIRC, check-in at AMS is done by contract staff and they very well could close the desks an hour prior to the scheduled departure time (and likely move on to their next assignment). If your friend needs to check a bag or is not able to check-in (and print a boarding pass) on-line then you should make sure they are at the airport with sufficient time to make the check-in cut off. The last UA departure is the ORD at 10:55 so, conceivably, the check-in desks could close around 10am.
This is from an experience that I had on a domestic flight, but the chances of the same thing happening is still real. Flight was delayed by 90 minutes, and I arrived after the original 15 minutes prior to departure. The flight had closed. I don't know what magic they worked, but I was able to get put on a later flight out, and then moved back to the delayed flight. I wouldn't count on this being possible, and I had a very sympathetic agent that was always willing to help me out.