While this thread concerns mainly domestic travel, I'll offer my recent experiences flying ORD-LHR-ORD. I realize, however, that I was flying at off-peak times so I don't at all consider my experiences to be typical. Nonetheless, here goes. Remember, AA has been saying we need to check in for international flights three hours before departure.

Saturday, 29SEP, AA 90 ORDLHR @ 08:50:

Arrived ORD at 06:10 and noticed the lines for Coach check-in, for both domestic and international flights, were already fairly long. Domestic GLD, PLT and EXP had maybe a few people in line. I went to the GLD/PLT/EXP check-in position (First Class) for international flights and found nobody in line. The check-in process took about five minutes tops.

"Security" at ORD seemed to be business as usual. The only difference was the presence of uniformed AA agents greeting everyone to verify that names on IDs and tickets matched. Otherwise, it was the same old show and inspired absolutely ZERO confidence.

Wednesday, 3OCT, AA 91 LHRORD @ 17:35:

Arrived LHR Terminal 3 at 13:30 and have never seen LHR so slow and deserted. Proceeded to AA's ticket counters for check in and found absolutely nobody - not one soul - in any AA check-in line. I walked up to the PLT (Business Class) check-in desk and, fewer than ten minutes later, I was on my way to security. That process took only about three minutes as there were only four people in line ahead of me. Amazing.

By the way, according to the FAs on my flights, the loads were:

AA 90/29SEP (763) ... P2/J6/Y35
AA 91/03OCT (763) ... P3/J11/Y35

edited for clarity

[This message has been edited by bbinchi (edited 10-04-2001).]