legalalien

SJO, as in San Jose, Costa Rica?

If so, then your flight will arrive to Terminal 5. The bags should be tagged to the final destination, but you will still need to clear immigration, pick up bags, clear customs with the bags, and then drop them off before exiting secure area. After that, you will need to take airport train to T1 (~10 min travel time), clear security, and get to your departure gate.

3 hours should be sufficient. As a UK citizen with visa waiver you can use automated kiosks to answer immigration questions and speed up the process. Customs are usually not an issue, and I don't think there will be a particularly long line at security in T1, although after 8:30pm or 9pm only one checkpoint is open in T1. If your inbound flight is significantly delayed, things might get tight.

Sandyblandy

Thanks Legalalien for the clear info you've given me - you've put my mind at ease. Costa Rica, here I come!
Cheers,
Sandy

DeterminedToUpgrade

Is it possible to access T5 from T1 on the people mover without going through security? I have a layover between UA domestic flights but would like to use my *A Gold card to access the LX lounge in T5.

MessyEater

By "people mover" I assume you mean the Airport Transit System (ATS)? No. You'll need to go through security both ways. The ATS runs completely outside of security.

You can access all of the domestic terminals (T1, T2, T3) from each other on foot inside security. There is also a shuttle bus that runs from Gate E2A of T2 to gate C9 of T1 inside security.

DeterminedToUpgrade

Thanks. Probably not enough time then. Too bad! It seems foolish to risk a connection for a little snack and a nice place to sit.

iruvmattree

My mom has TPE ORD CLE with 110 minutes to connect in ORD. My question is she has checked luggage, is this enough time to go through everything?
Also, what is the procedure from plane to plane? Is it immigration, pick up luggage, recheck luggage (where?) boarding? Sorry, I've only only checked in at YYZ or with 23 hour layover stateside.

Ocn Vw 1K

Let me move this to the Chicago forum for more discussion.

Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

legalalien

110 min can be close, depending on time of day and her nationality/visa status. The procedure is immigration, pick up luggage, customs, re-check luggage upon clearing customs, but before exiting secure area (if flying AA or UA domestically), take airport train to one of domestic terminals, clear security, go to gate.

It can happen in 20-30 minutes if GE/Pre-Check. It can take longer than 110 minutes if non-resident, no pre-check, and happen to arrive at peak time, e.g., between 1pm and 4pm.

iruvmattree

Thanks for the details! Unfortunately no GE, but she is a citizen so it's not worst case. It will be UA domestic

legalalien

She can use automated kiosks (APC - see http://bit.ly/1lnMHFq) to speed things up, if technically inclined. Once past customs control there will be signs for baggage re-check (United to one side, American to the other), then she needs to follow signs for ATS (Airport Train) and take a train to either Terminal 1 (B, C gates) or 2 (United Express E, F gates). TSAPre lanes are available at either terminal, but United check-in counters are only in T1. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are connected airside.

Good luck!

JimInOhio

I have GE status (thank you, UA) but have not used it yet. I'll be coming back into the USA on an upcoming trip along with my wife but she doesn't have GE. What's the best way for the two of us to go through customs?

Separate question: I know there's a AA-->BA transfer shuttle that bypasses T5 security. Is there anything similar for UA-->*A departures from T5? Thanks in advance.

linglingfool

A bit pedantic, but I think you mean to ask what the best way to go through immigration is, not customs. (The two processes are separate). With the new APC kiosks, it should not take her much longer than you to get through immigration. I'm in the same boat as you when traveling with my SO, so I'll drop her off at the normal line, clear GE myself, then wait just past the CBP booths for her before picking up and luggage and clearing customs together.

AFAIK, there is no shuttle for *A pax.

JimInOhio

Thanks and yes, I meant immigration. I assume I can forget about GE and just go through the normal immigration line with her?

linglingfool

Haven't tried, to be honest. I'm sure someone else can answer, though.

legalalien

Yes. Just don't forget to fill out the blue form for both of you.