Don't want to be at O'Hare forever!?

Travel Info
My son and I will be flying out tomorrow, and I am way confused about what to do today to help speed up the checking in process. I think I can call or go online (airport? airline?) to check in?? I have called the airline and confirmed the tickets, but I don't know what to do next. The tickets were purchased on Expedia, so do I have to take to confirmation page with me, or are we already in a computer somewhere.
I'm so confused and I don't want to spend all day running around like a chicken w/out a head!! Please help!

Travel Tips

Check your receipt to see which airline you will be flying on. Then find your confirmation number on the receipt, as well. Go to that airline's website, find the e-ticket check-in link, and you can do an online check in and print out your boarding passes. The boarding pass is what you need to get through the airport and onto the plane.

Then, tomorrow go to the airport 1.5 - 2 hours before your flight, with your printed out boarding pass. You can either check your bags in at the ticket counter, if they are too big to be carried on. If you are taking the bags with you on the plane, go to the security gate. They will ask for your boarding pass and check your belongings. Once you are through the security gate, head to your gate (it will be printed on your boarding pass). When it's time to board the plane, hand the stewardess your boarding pass and you are good to go!

Others
With todays travel climate, I'm afraid there is little you can do to shorten some aspects of your travel. You must wait in line to check in and prepare for baggage insections, etc. The best advice to travelers is to allow plenty of time. Be there early, so you don't have to stress about the long lines. The worst thing you can do is show up last minute. You then have to worry about missing your flight. Airline personnel WILL NOT push you through because you are late!!!! Pack things in your carry on luggage to pass the time for you and your son. Crossword, Sukodu and coloring books, Gameboy...make your time at the airport less tedious. But my experience is, any effort to shortcut...only backfires in then end!
all you need to take is your picture i.d....your son won't need one if he is to young.....that paper from expedia is nice to have for a schedule, but you do not need it to check in...you are in the computer...just be there early so you don't have to rush or worry...have a good trip...bill
Whooha! Slow down! If you have (and you probably do) etickets, then all you need is a photo ID. An Eticket is an "electronic ticket" all your data is held in the airline computer under a PNR reference (or Passenger name record) Take the confirmation page with you by all means, but do not panic if you forget it - just make sure you both have photo id (as long as you are travelling within the US - if you are going outside the US, you will need your passports). Now, many airlines have online checkin on their websites if you want to - but only checkin for the flight you are going to take. Personally I never bother to do it online if travelling with luggage and stuff, as, at the end of the day, there will always be a queue and you will have to wait your turn. Don't panic, millions of people do it every day. Take a book, get to the airport in good time, relax and go with the flow. Don't get uptight about the flight, where you are going to sit and, and, and. The average flight is just a couple of hours out of your life - nothing more - don't make it any worse than it has to be!
If you already have bought your ticket, just take your ID and one for your son, if he is over 16, to the ticket counter and check in....

Get there about two hours, go the airline you have a ticket for, check in and proceed thru security....

You can probably do more to speed up your time at the airport by:

1 - if taking your baggage via carryon, have your liquid toiletries in a separate one quart baggie

2 - put all your electronics, cell phones, etc in your bag or purse

relax...