Hi - I have a very long layover next week at ORD for a BA flight (booked through American) to LHR/EDI. My flight departs at 8:55 pm. I've requested late check-out at hotel but will still have a long wait before flight. So two questions:

= If I check in bags 4 hours prior to flight, does this increase the odds of lost luggage? I read that 4 hours before flight is the earliest bags can be checked. I'm a little paranoid about lost luggage, since the trip where I didn't get my checked bag until day 7 of a 14 day trip.

- After the hotel kicks me out, what can I do? Flight is leaving from Terminal 5. Should I go to the airport, go through security, kill some time, then come back out to check in at BA desk? Or is there any place to hangout BEFORE security?

Thanks for any advice.