Picking up a minor at Chicago Ohare terminal 5

Go to the check in counter and ask for a gate pass. There are conditions for getting a pass and don't know if a 17 year is enough of a minor to qualify. With the gate pass you will have to go completely through security - 3 oz limit, standard carryon restrictions, bag, body searches, etc.

You can't meet an international flight at the gate. She will be going directly to immigration and customs. You should be able to meet her as she exits the customs area, but I'm not familiar with int'l Arrivals at ORD.

I'm not exactly sure what the setup is at Ohare, but typically the gates for incoming international flight are not accessible to those waiting in the seating area. De-boarding passengers are sent through secure corridors directly to Immigration/Customs. In this instance a gate pass wouldn't work like it does for domestic flights.

Thanks for the info. I haven't seen her for 5 weeks and thought it would be a nice suprise if I could meet her there. Bummer...

I'm very familiar with O'Hare, and you will not see her till she exits after baggage claim and immigration. T5 isn't that big. Just check the arrivals board to see which of the two doors to wait near (opposite ends of the terminal, but not far apart).

I haven't been to O'Hare for much longer than you daughter has been alive so my info is a yellow around the edges, BUT, unless she went through customs and immigration on the German side (I don't think that that is ever done from Germany) it is likely that you will have to meet her at the exit from U.S. Customs after she has gone through Immigration and Customs (and Ag. inspection).

Even if she did go through immigration before departing (say, if she was coming home from Ireland) the process is the same. Everyone comes out the same doors.