<p>Oh, also, in the magazine that the airline provides, they usually give maps for all of the major airports they serve. Once you print out your boarding passes you’ll know which gate you need there, so you can sit and stare at the map to figure out where you need to go once you land.</p>
<p>Hands–one more thing. At Rochester, you’ll be sleeping on the dorm floor. (No beds and no linen provided.) My D was told she needed to bring her own sleeping bag, a pillow and towels if she wanted to shower.</p>
<p>As for your carryon- makes sure you have only 3 oz travel sizes of all liquids and gels. (Shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, etc) D got interrogated at DIA by security because she had a 12 oz bottle of contact lens solution.</p>
<p>Hope you have a safe trip!</p>
<p>mafool - I do have a cell phone.</p>
<p>WayOutWestMom - Thanks! I’ll try to get a rolling suitcase/duffel instead. I thought it would be faster if it wasn’t rolling, but I’ll take your advice instead. Yeah. Besides a change of clothes and shampoo/towel, all I need to bring is a sleeping bag and a small pillow. The lighter the better. :] Should I bring extra blankets? I’m assuming it will be cold b/c they mentioned bringing warm clothes and a jacket.</p>
<p>Also, I’ll definitely talk to the gate agent as well. Thanks!</p>
<p>I’ve tried to change my seat as close as I can to the front. Most of the seats are taken, so the best I could do was about aisle 15 - smack dab in the middle. I’ll still try to switch with someone and talk to the flight attendants. Thanks, again.</p>
<p>Hands,</p>
<p>It sounds like your Chicago connection is on the way back home, right?</p>
<p>The Chicago airport is very busy, and delays can occur because of weather there or elsewhere in the system. To be on the safe side, program the airline’s reservation number in your phone. That way, if you are delayed getting into Chicago and happen to miss your connection, you can bypass the lines that will be forming as people try to schedule a way out; just call the reservation number and you will get service more quickly than if you waited in line.</p>
<p>And don’t worry too much about your seat position. Our son flies home through either Chicago or NY every time he comes home from or returns to college. He never has had his pick of seats and it has always worked out fine.</p>
<p>If you need a sleeping bag, you’ll need to check that, which is OK, too, as long as both legs of your flight are with the same airline. You do not claim your luggage between connecting flights; your luggage follows you. With your comfortable connection flying into Rochester, that should not pose a problem. If your connection in Chicago ends up being so tight that you make the plane but your luggage doesn’t, the airline will make arrangements to get your luggage to your home a bit later.</p>
<p>You will be an old hand in no time.</p>
<p>edit: the advice about checking the sleeping bag assumes that it will not fit into your carry on. You are permitted one carry-on bag and one “personal item,” e.g. briefcase. Anything else must be checked. [United</a> Airlines - Carry-on baggage](<a href=“http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1032,00.html]United”>http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1032,00.html)</p>
<p>
Remember what I said about the airlines holding back some seat assignments for airport assignment - you can try to change to a seat closer to the front at the check-in counter. It’ll actually be a pain to try to swap seats with someone once you get on the plane. It’s difficult during boarding because of the crowded aisle and is awkward afterwards. It’s best to change before-hand.</p>
<p>Yes, trying to swap yourself is, as my DH would say, a “non-starter.” Talk to the gate agent and/or the flight attendant when you board. They will often be able to find a helpful passenger to trade with you. 15 isn’t all that bad, but the closer to the front you get, the more seconds and minutes you’ll save.</p>
<p>I always like to know all of the alternative flights in case of problems</p>
<p>On March 28th, United has 2 more flights from ORD to LAX at 8:40 and 9:40
and 1 flight to Orange County at 8:05 (just in case the flights to LAX are full). </p>
<p>You should also know that if for some reason your flight from ROC to ORD is cancelled, United has a flight that connects in WashDC leaving ROC at 7:25. </p>
<p>Usually, if United can’t rebook you, they will give you a refund. </p>
<p>Delta also has a flight at 6:15 from ROC to LAX connecting in Cincinnati.</p>
<p>You’ll be fine though.</p>
<p>Hands,</p>
<p>This is a fine balance I sense we are trying to maintain. On the one hand, we want you to be fully informed…in case. On the other hand, we don’t want to increase your anxiety.</p>
<p>Please understand that the odds of your needing to use all our helpful information are very low. But, sooner or later, in your future travels, you will be able to use much of what we are sharing with you now.</p>
<p>To the other posters, I hope you will forgive my presumption in trying to speak for us all!</p>
<p>^^ Well said.</p>
<p>Thanks, u<em>u</em>dad.</p>
<p>Hands, I wouldn’t worry about bringing a blanket. If you are cold, you can put on socks and wear your jacket over whatever you are wearing to sleep.</p>
<p>Regarding types of luggage, we took our son to the airport this morning so he could return to school. His carry on is a backpack. It’s really a matter of personal preference. You just want to make sure that you can MOVE with whatever you have.</p>
<p>Suggest that you double check the dimensions of what is allowed on the website I posted above.</p>
<p>OP:</p>
<p>United used two terminals are O’Hare. Terminal 1 is UA’s primary domestic terminal, but T-1 has two concourses (B&C). As as result, a connection in T-1 could mean you have to walk briskly to the middle of whatever concourse you land in, and take the escalators down, down, down to the tunnel connecting to the other concourse.</p>
<p>However, United & United Express also use Terminal 2 which is a hike. But, UA does run a shuttle bus from T-2 to T-1 concourse B.</p>
<p>Airline schedules are pretty regular, so look up your Rochester flt today (or tomorrow) and see which gates each flt uses. That will also tell you the terminals.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>I agree that most of this advice is just to keep in mind. </p>
<p>I hesitated to post, but just this one point:</p>
<p>If you decide to check baggage under the plane (and I’m not sure that’s a good or bad idea)…just be sure to keep your interview essentials and medicines if you take any in a bookbag that you DON"t check.</p>