Originally Posted by
spanishflea
AA are very very good with international transfer passengers. Personally having transitted ORD several times I would go for the tightest connection offerred. AA are ace at getting you on the next flight if you misconnect
This is true, together with the statements about varied delay times. Basically the attitude is that if it all works out and you make a tight connection, fine, otherwise you will be put on the next flight.
AA have thousands of misconnects at Chicago each day and they do indeed take it all in their stride, and you need to have the same attitude. It is fine if your final destination has frequent departures, as many do. Not so good if there are only a couple of flights a day.