No Elite Lines at Chicago / ORD?
Oct 3, 2007, 7:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Metro ATL
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Posts: 209
No Elite Lines at Chicago / ORD?
In a thread that began earlier this week on another subject it was noted that Elite lines had been eliminated at ORD beginning 10/1.
God-willing this is not accurate.
Those of you travelling the hallowed halls of ORD this week:
True or False?
God-willing this is not accurate.
Those of you travelling the hallowed halls of ORD this week:
True or False?
Oct 3, 2007, 9:42 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Canada
Programs: AA EXP-2MM, AC
Posts: 314
Last time I went through ORD security, the elite line was still theoretically there, but AA said they were not allowed to enforce who went through it, and so it was effectively useless. Perhaps this just removed the need for receiving complaints.
Oct 3, 2007, 9:50 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London, United Kingdom
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Will def. want to hear more on this. There's been too many times when the elite lines at ORD have proven invaluable for connecting between a late-arriving international one and a domestic onward leg...even when allowing for that possibility in advance by the flights chosen.
And, there's been countless posts alluding to similar situations and/or potentially tight connections, responding to questions about "making the flight or not", saying that if/by getting thru the elite line, "you should be o.k."
This will be noteworthy for those planning winter MRs thru ORD (not that one would chose ORD for a winter connection, but sometimes 'ya just don't have a choice)
And, there's been countless posts alluding to similar situations and/or potentially tight connections, responding to questions about "making the flight or not", saying that if/by getting thru the elite line, "you should be o.k."
This will be noteworthy for those planning winter MRs thru ORD (not that one would chose ORD for a winter connection, but sometimes 'ya just don't have a choice)
Oct 3, 2007, 11:14 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
On 9/28 I went through elite line at ORD. The pax behind me was not elite (had a boarding pass in group 6) yet went through with no problem.
Oct 3, 2007, 11:35 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: USA
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Here are the details that happened to me. I was in the EXP line and there was no one checking BPs to enter the line and it was VERY long. Many of the people in the line were not EXP. A TSA person checked IDs and BP and I asked why they were not enforcing the line. He said that as of 10/1 TSA was taking over all aspects of security for AA at ORD. Before AA hired contractors to enforce elite lines. It was unclear if TSA would do this. After security I saw one of the ops supervisors and asked him about it and he said that TSA was in charge and there is nothing AA can do. They are going to leave the signs up, but no one will enforce it.
Hopefully this info is wrong, will change or perhaps it already has.
Hopefully this info is wrong, will change or perhaps it already has.
Oct 3, 2007, 11:39 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K
Posts: 1,078
Is this change the result of a cost cutting measure at AA whereby it was cheaper to have TSA do it all or is it something that was forced upon them by the TSA? If it is the first choice, then 
AA!
AA!
Oct 4, 2007, 2:05 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Austin, TX -- AA Life Platinum; QF Life Silver; UA Silver
Posts: 5,462
This isn't just at ORD; there were some other threads discussing the disappearance of elite lines at other airports due to TSA taking over. Expect MUCH longer waits at the ID check.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=741685
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=741685
Last edited by hauteboy; Oct 4, 2007 at 2:11 am
Oct 4, 2007, 3:23 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
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Originally Posted by TSA
TSA Continues to Extend Security Beyond the Checkpoint, Assuming Document Checking Responsibility at Airports from Coast to Coast
Oct 4, 2007, 5:38 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 574
Use the Delta entrance down by the L Concourse
There is almost never a big line there.
Oct 4, 2007, 5:59 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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I don't understand..... I didn't see any elite lines when I went through ORD in July and then again in September. I saw only a big line for passengers and another one for employees. This was at two checkpoints: the big checkpoint for the H/K concourses and the smaller one for the G concourse (though the G concourse entrance didn't have a line for employees; just one line for all passengers).
Were the elite lines cleverly hidden??
Were the elite lines cleverly hidden??
Oct 4, 2007, 6:00 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Milwaukee
Programs: AAEXP 3+MM, Marriott Plt and Plt for life, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 414
I went through ORD yesterday (10/3) and they still had elite lines. There was the larger one that has always been by elite check in and then the second one right by the cattle call line that clearly states First Class and EXP. Not sure about how they are enforcing them but I walked right through.
Oct 4, 2007, 6:05 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: PBI and FRA
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I too was there yesterday morning (10/3) around 8am and was told the Elite line was closed. I got in the regular line and just as I got up (10-15 min) to where they check ID's they had opened the Elite line.
Oct 4, 2007, 8:48 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: ORD
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There are so many expletives that come to mind when I think of TSA right now.
Oct 4, 2007, 9:44 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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So if the TSA is taking over ID checks, does this mean elite lines are disappearing everywhere?
Is this a response to all the whining from non-elites about "preferential treatment"?
Is this a response to all the whining from non-elites about "preferential treatment"?
Oct 4, 2007, 9:47 am
#15
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Dunno.