Hi all,

I'll have to spend a night at ORD awaiting my connection flight, which will be American Airlines.
My question is- does security zone close for the night, or security zone at ORD is 24h service? Will I be able to sleep in security zone?

And, where would be the best place at ORD to sleep, security or not- no matter. No hotels please

http://www.sleepinginairports.net/usa/chicago_ohare.htm

Yup, this gave some basic idea, even if it did not answer my question about 24h working security area.

I'm not positive about security being open 24x7 somewhere amongst T1-3, but, I imagine you can clear somewhere.

Why do you need to reclear security in the middle of the night though?

Ok, the question is about to stay the night in zone after security, without leaving it. If security doesn't work 24h- I believe the terminal will be kept clear until security reopens in the morning.

Not all terminals allow people to sleep inside. My recent experience- BOS. I slept outside of security zone in BOS, because security zone closes after last flight arrives. I believe, SFO as opposite allow to stay in the after security zone.

I couldn't tell you for certain but I expect it's 24x7 given that flights get delayed all the time and there are the occasional flight at some wierd hour.

There are some benches in the corridoor between terminals 1 and 2 btw.

That is important information ^.
If we're talking about benches- how quiet is the place nearby those benches? Any working walkways, air conditioning systems?

Yes, I'll definitely take a look at the benches, because I'll arrive around 10pm, so I'll have time to look for the best place.

Try asking the authoritative source:

ORD Airport Contact
10000 Bessie Coleman Dr
Chicago, IL 60666
United States
Phone: 8008326352
Email: [email protected]
Website for Chicago O�Hare Airport: http://www.chicagoairports.com

Done.
Actually, the email is not always the best way to figure out the truth. With me it's 50% probability. My email to AUS was responded, but my email to BOS wans't

I always get the truth from the authoritative source. Anonymous posters on IBB are my last resort.

I'd tend to agree however this site in particular the level of knowledge folks have often exceeds that of whatever technically authoritative source there is.

I tend to agree..however, FTers are relatively upscale and don't sleep in airports because they can cover the hotel bill personally or through reimbursement.

Anyway, I did not get any response from them yet.
Sure, if they will respond- they will tell the truth. But if they won't- I'm not happy with the fact, that they are the best to ask about

I got it! Here is it:

"If you are arriving into Terminals 1, 2 or 3 you can remain on the secure side of the checkpoint and walk between terminals without exiting security. If you arriving into Terminal 5 and departing from Terminals 1, 2 or 3 then you will have to go through the screening process to get to your gate area.

If you have any additional questions, please let me know.

Regards,
Amanda Smith
Aviation Department"

That doesn't really answer your questions, however, especially the parts about whether you can stay airside overnight, and whether the screening stations operate 24/7.

Given that I am an anonymous poster on an IBB, take this with a grain of salt...but I'd say the following:

24/7 screening? Unlikely, since ORD has practically zero domestic outbound flights between 11 pm and 5 am. The checkpoints re-open around 4 a.m., IME. There may be a single 24/7 checkpoint for staff but I wouldn't count on being able to use it.

Staying airside overnight? Definitely doable. In fact there are probably dozens of stranded pax who do this every night, since ORD is the kind of place where pax miss connecting flights on a routine basis. It would probably help if you had the boarding pass for your onward flight, but I'm guessing you can just find a quiet spot and not be bothered. ORD is a huge place and I don't think the cleaning crew really gives a rip about a smattering of passengers scattered around the place.