O'Hare Airport - multiple airlines Review

I flew in to O'Hare this past Friday and out on Saturday. I've been in the airport before - but not in a long time. I think it's been 20 years or so.

O'Hare is a huge airport. You need to allow plenty of time. I was fine coming in. Charlotte really isn't a big airport. I managed that and then caught the subway out of O'Hare. That's a good deal to grab the subway into the city. I got lost on the subways on the way back and had only ten minutes to check in and get to the gate at the airport. Really, I did allow plenty of time had I not visited almost the entire city of Chicago on the subways en route to O'Hare. That is not possible, as I guessed and was informed, to arrive 10 minutes before departure.

The airport people were very nice about this mishap I had. A grandfatherly man checked about getting me home later. I was crossing my fingers and hoping not to have to spend the night in the airport especially, since I knew that there had been no seats on Sunday (which was why I was headed out on Saturday). Grandpa helper got me a ticket and then told me to be there at 8 pm for this 8:55 flight. I promised and only went outside anyway. I was in line at 7:30.

With a couple of hours to kill, I graded papers and also wandered around plus watched all the odd people at the airport. Airports are a great place to see all kinds of interesting people. I would think, "I wonder where she/he got that outfit . . . and why?" I don't mean this in a mean way. I am sure I was an "odd" person to many others there.

They have some pretty "wow" decorations at O'Hare. The light show down the hall is quite amazing. Then, they have this huge dinosaur bone statue. I don't know who decided they needed to decorate, but it makes for a good time wandering around.

There are more places to buy food than here in my town, but that's not saying much. It's still a nice selection for an airport, and the prices are jacked up but not over the top. I really enjoyed a fruit punch that they mixed up at one of the stands. I was having one of those "healthy" moments and had already had a Coke.

When I actually checked in, I was one of two flagged for security checks. The other guy looked like he might be from one of the terrorist countries. Again, I don't mean that in a bad way. He looked like a nice, young businessman, but he would look more likely to be on the wanted poster than I would. For starters, he was male. That, alone, makes him more likely. Yes. There are female "hoods" but not as many.

If you are security checked, then you stand with your feet (sans shoes which are in the plastic tubs) on two little feet shaped marks on the carpet. The lady checker (who was about 6 feet tall for my check) has you stick out your arms and feels along them. She puts on doctor gloves beforehand. Don't worry. They do not get too personal right there in front of God and the world. Then, she runs her hands up and down your legs. Hips. Then around your legs (but not too high up) - from thighs to ankles. 

I was thinking that if I had anything hidden, it would be in my bra. I'm busty. I did not mention that, because I did not want to end up in the back room. I know when to keep my thoughts to myself. This was such a time.

The next stop is with the guys who interrogates you. I got the big guy who was the size of an NFL football player. I did not come up to his shoulders even.

My checker was trying to give me the mean look, but I could see that he was about to smile anyway. He asked which tub was mine, and I told him, "The one with the big, bright red pocketbook thing." He said, "Oh yeah. I know which one." There are not many big red pocketbook things at O'Hare.

"Do you have any food in here?" asked the guy.

Perhaps he heard I write food reviews at Viewpoints, or maybe I just looked like someone who would carry food.

"No," I said. PAUSE. "Oh yes. There's a bag of popcorn in there. A lady gave that to me."

Oops. That was not the right thing to say. There are signs at O'Hare that say not to take things from strangers, but I was not thinking about that.

"What lady was that?" asked checker.

"Well, you know that water tower in Chicago that didn't burn down when most of the city did?"

"Uh, huh," said checker.

"This girl was out there and gave me popcorn there."

Checker was, by this time, having a hard time keeping a straight face. He asked to see the popcorn and then laughed and told me that's the best popcorn in the world and that I should have packed a bunch of it.

Meanwhile, the other poor guy was getting yelled at by the smaller check guy. He reached for something, and he was told not to move unless given permission to. It is best to listen to directions when security checked. Relax and do not do anything to stress the checkers.

My checker asked if I got any Chicago pizza and then gave me my stuff. He reminded me to buy popcorn the next time, since the sample bag was really little.

I did have to see my checker again, because I ended up with an extra cell phone. Shrug. I don't know where that came from, but I know it wasn't mine. I gave it back.

The security check was no big deal. I'm glad they are being careful. I don't know how I got picked, and I think my checker thought it was funny, but he did do his job and looked at my popcorn.

Once in the waiting area, it was fine. They could use a few more seats, but some people were pigging up two or three seats with extra baggage. That's pretty rude, but oh well.

They had more food stands and plenty of bathrooms which were clean and had plenty of supplies.

The airport is big and kind of complex, but things are marked well, and employees are helpful. My extra time at the airport was not painful. It's a busy an interesting place. I'd just say to be sure to arrive early and cooperate with the security checkers. It might also be nice to not be rude and throw your junk all over the chairs when others are standing around with no seats.