Feb 13, 2013
Lines Are Meant For WaitingBy pmihalek

Last night, at around 11:45, my wife and I touched down at O’Hare after eight days in Curacao on our postponed honeymoon. Weather was great and the sunburns were plentiful…at least for me.

I’m not all that well-versed in world travel, so the customs process is one I don’t know well. We entered the country with American Airlines via Miami International Airport. We were hungry and confident the one-hour-and-45-minute break between flights was plenty to take a seat, grab some dinner and window shop the Duty-Free.

Our fast-paced, 15-minute walk from our gate, around corners, up and down stairs and escalators to the first long customs line was a breathtaking event in itself. Then we waited. And waited. After 25 minutes, we made it through the first checkpoint.

Next, we followed signs that read: “Baggage Claim/Exit/Connecting Flights.” Chicago here we come! Down a long hall and down another escalator, we entered the international baggage claim area and stared at the four long lines waiting to exit. We got in line and waited. 30 minutes later we made it through checkpoint two.

We followed signs to exit and then re-enter through another security gate. After putting the laptop in its own plastic tub and taking my shoes off one last time, we made it to our gate 25 minutes later. Our 105-minute break shrank to a measly 10 minutes.

While standing in many lines last night, I thought, standing in line stinks. Sometimes it can be down right annoying.

Spring will be here before you know it and long lines at the register will follow. Do you do anything out of the ordinary to keep lines moving and customers smiling? I’d love to share your answer(s) with other readers. Email me your tips and practices that work best for you.


pmihalek