ratechaser

+1 ^

Nothing to add in terms of advice Headley (Lamarr?) as I'll leave that to the real experts on here. But a truly great first post, and one that raised a good few smiles - I always think of 'Airplane!' when nuns and travel are mentioned, and it sounds like you may well have been on that flight. Anyway, welcome and keep it up. If you ever feel like writing a trip report for your little jaunt, I'm sure you'll have a good audience on here...

chucko

How big is the battery pack you use to charge the iThing? If it's a lithium-ion pack (most probable) it cannot go in your checked bag and must be carried on-board. If it's particularly large it can't fly at all - but that's unlikely in your case, that prohibition mostly applies to power packs for those power drills they use in all the heist movies. Other than that, I don't think you'll find the experience all that different from before. Suspend disbelief while going through security and you'll be fine.

MADPhil

Welcome to FT and thanks for a nice first posting. If you have toothpaste as well as a brush it will need to come out and go in a plastic baggy for security, otherwise you should be fine. You should check out the forum guide to the Heathrow tunnels, although it is just a matter of going to level -4 and following the signs.. As long as you can walk they are rather peaceful. I appreciate your objection to upstairs but it is really rather nice.

O'Hare can be a bit trying and I think that the five star service will really help. You do have to change terminals and I think that the train is now closed so it is a shuttle bus but your helper should deal with that. You are presumably continuing in AA domestic "First", which isn't as bad as some people say. You can select seats for no charge as well. If there are meals on your flight and you get hold of the AA record locator you can preselect your meal. Or just take your chances.

Finkface

Epic first post. I have nothing to add that will help the OP but his posts are the stuff of legend. Classic. And enjoy the flight.

subject2load

Might not see a better post all year.

Wishing you a great trip. Hope all goes well - and that your traumatic Aero Mexico memories are well & truly banished.

BearX220

Standard practice for US arrivals is for all passengers to clear customs and immigration at first port of call -- even if they are moving on to a different, final domestic destination. So, in case it was not made clear above, what happens to you in Chicago is:

1. Stand in line for immigration interview and passport presentation
2. Emerge to baggage hall, get bag off carousel
3. Pass through Customs point with all baggage
4. Immediately recheck bag at AA desk beyond the Customs point, but before you exit into meet-and-greet hall

The Five Star escort may or may not be much help with this, but now you know the drill.

Also please note your BA service to ORD will arrive at Terminal 5 and your onward AA service will depart from Terminal 3. Your rechecked bag will find its own way to Terminal 3 but you will have to go outside and locate the automated mini-train that connects all terminals, ride it one stop to Terminal 3 (we have no Terminal 4), and pass through security once more in order to access the concourse. A pretty unsatisfactory transfer arrangement, and O'Hare is about to be upgraded to make things easier (BA will eventually use Terminal 3 with AA and other OneWorld carriers). But that improvement is five or six years off, and OP's grandchild is here now.

Nimrod1965

Welcome, great first post.

Don’t think I have sent a bluey since 1985 when I was detached to Ascension Island with Her Majesty’s Flying Club.

thunderlounge

Welcome, Mr. Lamarr. I can't help much beyond what has already been offered, but I must say I was highly entertained.

babats

Excellent first ;post - please follow-up with a (few) TR's (trip reports if you didn't know).

Long JB

Great first post.

All I would add is make sure you have got your ESTA (Visa Waiver for the United States) as if not you wont be going anywhere!. Apply on line at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

1010101

Nothing to add to whats already been said on the procedures, but as much stick as BA gets nowadays if your last flying experience was in 1987 i think you will be quite stunned by what you find onboard next week. Reclining seats, flat beds, touch screen TVs, WiFi (maybe) and much more that was simply a pipe dream back then. Not to mention the 747-400 itself which is far larger and more stable than anything you will have flown on before.

pennineuk

Enjoy Club World, it’s still a great experience if you are an infrequent flier. Don’t be put off by the ying-yang seating. Feel free to raise the divider anytime you like so you are not staring at the stranger next to you.

lorelai

Absolutely loved this post, I do hope you post a trip report as I can only begin to imagine how much I would enjoy reading it. Have a great time and congratulations!

themax

A quick word about the 5 star service and your connection in Chicago. Upon arrival you will be met my an AA 5 Star Agent at the door of the plane or at the top of the jetway. The Agent will escort you through US Customs and Immigration (BTW - Have you applied for an ESTA? This is mandatory), and then assist you with collecting your bag, clearing US Customs, and then sending your bag on its way to your next flight. If your flights have been booked together then BA should be able to give you your US domestic boarding pass at LHR when you check in for your first flight (if not, the 5 Star Agent will do this for you). You will then be escorted through security (yes, you have to clear security again) and take you either to the gate if you have a tight connection or to the Admirals Club (business class lounge) to have some refreshments and wait for your next flight. Don't worry if they leave you in the club, they will come back to collect you in time for your flight and escort you to the gate and sometimes to your seat to make your connection on time. Just make sure that you stay where they left you in the lounge (as if you give them the slip they may not be able to find you afterwards).

If you are planning on buying any duty free goods in the airport or onboard BA that contains liquid make sure that you tell them that you are connecting in the USA, as they will need to package/bag the products differently then if you were not to be connecting.

Last an by no means least, make sure any iPads and phones you bring in your hand luggage are at least 50% charged when you go through security. Sometimes you are asked to power-up electronics at security to check that they are real devices. If the batteries are dead this can delay you whilst you wait to charge them.

themax

.....and welcome to FlyerTalk. Let us know how you get on!