I always use the 2 hours before rule at O Hare, although I define the 2 hours as being in the parking area about 2 hours before scheduled take off time. That allows time to get to the terminal, check in, clear security, etc. Security should be pretty much normal, as not near any type of holiday, so that shouldn t be an issue. You can view the length of the security lines pretty much as soon as you arrive in the terminal. However, the only restaurants that I ever recall at O Hare are located past security, so having breakfast with your lady at the airport itself, probably isn t going to work unless she is also ticketed.
I would plan on arriving at O Hare an hour before your flight since you don t have any luggage to check. Although I would allow 2 hours travel time to get to O Hare, whether by car or public transportation. This is the rule I always use. So I would leave for O Hare at 8:15 AM. I allow such a big transportation gap because I cannot tell you how many times I have missed a flight because of unexpected traffic on 90/94 or the Blue line being down for servicing or technical problems. This way worst case scenario you get there with an hour to spare and best case you have plenty of time.Unfortunately you won t be able to eat breakfast at O Hare with your gf unless she has a ticket and is traveling the same day.Enjoy LA!
You shouldn t have a problem going thru security if you dont bring any liquids with you or weapons. And I never see large crowds at Ohare that early in the morning(i work in ohare). And all the resurants are past security check point so if your girl friend isnt traveling she cant pass securtiy to have breakfast with you. I say get to the airport at 10.30 and you should be good.