I flew to Chicago on Thursday, and back again on Friday night. People talk about the character an airport has, and while that's true, fewer people talk about the characteristics shared by a flight. I suppose you have to fly a certain amount to develop an opinion about who flies on a particular flight or, perhaps in the end it really is about the airport and the kinds of people flying to and from there. But let me tell you - take a few flights between two airports and you'll soon develop an opinion on lots of things - like the unliklihood of world peace, considering the behavior of individuals.
Back in September, I flew out of Harrisburg Intl to Chicago. At 1:30pm it was the same crowd that I'd found flying out of HIA for years ... some older people, some people in their 20's clearly trying to find a cheap flight to Chicago, and a few business people. The crowd sat patiently waiting for the gate agent to announce boarding. No one was particulaly anxious. It was rainy outside, and the flight was delayed by over an hour, but people went and bought coffee and brownies and read their newspapers.
The Orange County airport - John Wayne, or SNA - gate crowd waiting to fly to Chicago is a whole 'nother scene. Lots of business travelers, who REALLY want on that plane, early, so they can snag overhead bin space and a blanket. Eight or ten or twelve people are always on the upgrade list (oh,please ... an upgrade! Semi-real food, faux leather seats with space to avoid DVT, space, and did I mention space?). Well before the door opens, people are positioning themselves so that they can dart forward at just the right time and hit the line and get on that plane. They wear their little in-ear phones, or talk about "the deal" or "the numbers" as they pace around. American Airlines never preboards anyone with special needs, so if you have small children or are in a wheelchair, good luck! The OC crowd flying to Chicago will stampede right over you. "Excuse me, I think they've only called first class!"
It's the same group flying back ... people watching to see who's moving up to get a little edge in line, who's carrying a LOT of carry-on luggage (oh my god ... is he going to try and put THAT in the overhead bin?), who's got the babies (please don't let them sit by me), and who's really fat (please don't let them sit by me). The crowd in black keeps edging forward, and if you really ARE in a group that is called first, plan on elbowing your way through the pseudo-line/huddle that has formed.
Good eats at O'Hare? Gold Coast Dogs is good and cheap, especially for airport food. Located in the AA Terminal, in the Food Court, which is over near the G concourse, it's a solid choice for hot dogs, Italian sausage, bratwurst, etc. The food court there usually isn't crowded, and is favored by a lot of airline employees.
Back in September, I flew out of Harrisburg Intl to Chicago. At 1:30pm it was the same crowd that I'd found flying out of HIA for years ... some older people, some people in their 20's clearly trying to find a cheap flight to Chicago, and a few business people. The crowd sat patiently waiting for the gate agent to announce boarding. No one was particulaly anxious. It was rainy outside, and the flight was delayed by over an hour, but people went and bought coffee and brownies and read their newspapers.
The Orange County airport - John Wayne, or SNA - gate crowd waiting to fly to Chicago is a whole 'nother scene. Lots of business travelers, who REALLY want on that plane, early, so they can snag overhead bin space and a blanket. Eight or ten or twelve people are always on the upgrade list (oh,please ... an upgrade! Semi-real food, faux leather seats with space to avoid DVT, space, and did I mention space?). Well before the door opens, people are positioning themselves so that they can dart forward at just the right time and hit the line and get on that plane. They wear their little in-ear phones, or talk about "the deal" or "the numbers" as they pace around. American Airlines never preboards anyone with special needs, so if you have small children or are in a wheelchair, good luck! The OC crowd flying to Chicago will stampede right over you. "Excuse me, I think they've only called first class!"
It's the same group flying back ... people watching to see who's moving up to get a little edge in line, who's carrying a LOT of carry-on luggage (oh my god ... is he going to try and put THAT in the overhead bin?), who's got the babies (please don't let them sit by me), and who's really fat (please don't let them sit by me). The crowd in black keeps edging forward, and if you really ARE in a group that is called first, plan on elbowing your way through the pseudo-line/huddle that has formed.
Good eats at O'Hare? Gold Coast Dogs is good and cheap, especially for airport food. Located in the AA Terminal, in the Food Court, which is over near the G concourse, it's a solid choice for hot dogs, Italian sausage, bratwurst, etc. The food court there usually isn't crowded, and is favored by a lot of airline employees.
posted by Dynamite T at
8:59 PM
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