Business trip to Chicago

During the past week I was on a business trip to Chicago where I attended meetings at United Airlines and Mileage Plus, my primary client. I arrived on Monday to very warm temperatures and clear skies. I took a photo from my seat on United 882 during final approach to O'Hare. The weather turned cold and rainy the next day and continued so until the day of my departure. Wednesday morning was especially wet with a heavy downpour and lightning. Getting a taxi during rush hour was impossible so I had to make a dash with my travel umbrella, taking shelter from time to time en route to The United Building on West Wacker Drive. I arrived drenched.

I stayed at the LaQuinta Inn and Suites in the Loop near The Willis Tower (where United also has offices). I was very disappointed by the room I was given, which was on the third floor over a small alley. In the middle of the night trucks would come and pick up the trash from the dumpsters. Very noisy. As for breakfast, it is amazing what some people accept as food. Tasteless coffee, bland floor and paper plates. For the rest of the trip I has breakfast outside the hotel.

While seated in the lounge in Chicago prior to departure, a 777 bound for Shanghai pulled out of the gate and a 747 was towed into it about 20 minutes later. All international flights arrive at Terminal 5 at O'Hare but US carriers can board their outbound flights from their main terminals. This requires the aircrafts to be towed over after the passengers, luggage and cargo are off. A bit of extra work but easier than maintaining checkin and passenger services at two terminals.

I will probably go back to Chicago again in June. The eleven hour flight over is long enough but the thirteen hours back is almost too much.