Starman

I know there's now an airside connection T3 (UA domestic) to T5. What's the latest story on the reverse direction, international arrival at T5 to United domestic departure at T3? Is there anything airside available, or is it still exit customs, take bus to T3, and go through new security? If the latter, would $20 to a cab driver beat the bus on busy days?

ords

For now it's still the flow you laid out. Personally, I'd pay the 20 but wouldn't make it a habit. There are changes coming to the upper-level departures roadway that should help improve vehicle flow. There's also changes moving the TNP folks too.

So the plan is to start reverse busing once the 2nd checkpoint is officially open. I haven't asked for some of the finer details about the checkpoint hours of operation, who will it be used for, where's the drop-off point at T1 and T3.

ords

So there is in place a plan to expand the current checkpoint by 4 lanes as part of the T5 expansion. I'm also hearing at this point there will be a dedicated Precheck lane(s) since the configuration is being set up for Delta's move over. It's coming, but right now from what I've been told, the numbers are just not there yet to warrant a specific lane and set up.

Starman

Thanks. I'm not familiar enough with ORD T5 to visualize how the newly planned "reverse busing" that you mention will help the congestion and cut down on connection time? Isn't the T5 bag claim area already a non-sterile, landside area, and must always remain so, as pax from different international arriving flights can mingle there? So once you're through immigration, you're landside, and there can never be an airside T5 to T3 connection, right?

threeoh

Customs always dumps you landside because you've seen your checked baggage.

However, the idea is that once things are up and running you could re-clear TSA in T5 and take an airside bus to T1/2/3 (which wouldn't get caught in landside traffic), and if you landed on a domestic flight or pre-cleared int'l flight in T5 you will be able to go straight to be bus.

ords

ords

First transfer passengers using the new drop

ords

Effective Wednesday 05 June security Check Point 11 will officially open at T5.

Please note the following Check Point 11 details:

· Located on the east side of the terminal (by check in positions 5F)

· Will consist of 2 TSA security clearance lanes

· Hours of operation 1230 – 2030 (subject to change based on peak demand, but will operate 8 hours)

· Will be used to screen

o Carrier Crew Members

o Express Connect Passengers (T5 to T1/T3 Transfers via airside busing operation)

§ Reverse transfer busing will be from M1

§ The Avi Ramp has been installed for the startup of reverse transfers

o Check point 10 overflow/traffic management

§ Prime Flight queue management personnel will be issued radios to coordinate overflow/traffic management

legalalien

No bueno unless you have an Express Connection card?

ords

Correct, which I'm dumbfounded considering we have both EI and EY with precleared flights which literally could walk from the gate to the bus without going land side again. So those folks won't be able to use it either.

Give it a week or two.

ords

Quoting myself...

A change already's been made. Both EY and EI connecting passengers will be able to use the bus as long as they have a connecting boarding pass issued to them. I'm not sure how luggage will be handled.

The 5th is a soft opening as UA is still not prepared yet over by B1. I'm hearing close to the end of the month for it to be fully operational.

ords

So the checkpoint is now officially open. However the reverse busing has been placed on hold for reasons that have not be disseminated and have upset the carriers.

renault4

OK, to catch up:

I have a UA flight from TYS to ORD next week, which connects to a SAS flight to CPH. I have a little over three hours from 6:45pm arrival in T2 to 10:05pm departure from T5. If all goes well, I figure I have time to check out the Polaris Lounge in T1 for about an hour and then around 8:30 or earlier (the route closes at 9pm), head to one of the T3 Pickup Locations; G17, K20 or L24 where I will catch the airside TTB to T5, arriving at gate M1. From there I will need to hoof it to Gate M15 or so to eventually board the SAS flight.

timings sound about right?

cheltzel

The published times for the service are incorrect. The last bus leaves G17 before 8:00 PM (or at least it did that last time I tried to catch the airside bus to T5). I would plan on being at G15 by about 7:45PM.

renault4