The 5;30pm flight ORD --> LGA according to the website has a 70% on-time record, for what that's worth. I would guess that includes winter flights which probably drag it down. An storm definitely would mess up the connecting flight, like an ice-storm. And friday aft is probably pretty busy. Cross the fingers. There is no direct between ORD and JFK on AA.

If it's lousy weather that day I'll get there earlier, but all the flgihs are full right now except the 7am to LGA. Can they put me on an earlier flight to LGA if I ask them too, no charge, if there's room because someone doesn't show up??

Thanks for the cab suggestions, I'm sure I cold figure it out eventually but I like knowing what to expect before I get there, and time is short. And I would have been tempted to take one of the guys inside so now I won't. Do they change the charge when you get to JFK? Well, next time it's direct, but I'm thinking I'll be allright.