V-Flyer

Looong TR coming up....

So after 5 fab nights in Chicago it was time to return to the UK.
We had a great time, too short tbh but made the best of it. We stayed in the Homewood Suites hotel which is very central, we were able to walk to most places. It was 5 mins from the river and the magnificent mile (shopping $$$$ !) . We chose this hotel as it is all suites, and meant that we had a separate sleeping area and a kitchen which is great when travelling with a toddler Also free wifi was provided so I didn't feel too out of touch!
We did the river and lake trip with Wendella which I highly recommend. Brunch at the Signature room was amazing. We also went to the Willis Tower and me and my son stood on the ledge :-o hubby was too scared
Toddler L2H loved our ride on the El, we got on at Chicago South on the brown line and went round the loop. Excellent view.
We also went to the Shedd Aquarium which was excellent. although having been to Seaworld we were a little underwhelmed by the dolphin show Also the queue to get in was huge, we waited an hour so if you are planning a trip get your tickets before hand !
Food was great, pizzas were consumed several times. We made it to the Cheesecake factory on our last night, yummy yum !!
Chicago has now gone to the top of my list of fave US cities.
Thanks again for all those hints and tips we received on here before our trip.

Now onto the return flight.

We had checked in online, and arrived at the airport with plenty of time so toddler L2H could watch the planes. There was no queue at checkin and within a few minutes we were queueing for security. One of the security staff was announcing that there was no proper food outlets after security so we dropped out of the line and headed for the food court so we could make sure our son was well fed before the flight as he was likely to sleep most of it , fingers crossed.
After a while we headed through security and headed for the gate. We had a great view of the runway and plenty of seats to wait in. Our aircraft arrived at the gate soon after, African Queen.
Boarding was announced about 45 mins before departure which was at 6pm. We were soon settled into seats 19DEF.
Flight was a bit more full than the incoming, 171 pax.
The captain announced that flight time would be a super quick 6hrs 45 due to the jet stream. He also warned that we would hit turbulence as a result, and boy did we !
Crew were very attentive, and dinner was served an hour or so into the flight. I had chicken, hubby went for lamb curry and our son was given chicken nuggets, mash and veg. Food was OK.

Soon after the lights were dimmed so we could try and sleep.
I find it really hard to sleep on planes regardless of how comfy it is so watched some tv and played with my new Ipad2
Our son fell asleep and hubby also nodded off.
While the lights were dimmed I noticed one of the cabin crew having a discussion with the couple in 18AC, she asked to see their boarding passes and it turns out they were supposed to be sitting in EC ! They tried to argue that they had been told when boarding to look for the seats after the curtain and had just taken the first ones they got to... wrong curtain !!
They were politely asked to move half way through the flight

The turbulence kicked in about 4.5 hours into the flight. It went on for over an hour, I had to hold hubbys hand at one point, the plane kept dropping. Luckily our son slept through it.
The lights went on soon after and once the turbulence had stopped breakfast was served. It was a choice of either 'full english' or mushroom omelette. I went for the full english although after all the turbulence my stomach was churning a bit and I couldn't actually eat any of it.
No tea or coffee either due to the bumpiness.

We landed 90 mins early, thanks to the jet stream and were through security quite quickly. Our bags were waiting for us on the carousel.

Quickly nipped into M&S to pick up milk and bread and toddler L2H was sick as I was queuing, turbulence had caught up with him
So all in all another excellent flight.

Thanks for reading :-)
Roll on 17/2/12 and our trip to Florida

Glad you enjoyed your trip to Chicago !

Amazing chutzpa of the couple in 18AC ... amazing. Some people are greedy and shameful.

Glad you had an excellent Chicago visit, I love the city capital L and now have several very good friends there. Though places sound busy, but it was also US holiday time!

And a good pair of VS flights ... having an IP2 helps with the entertainment doesn't it!

Wow! A fab trip report, thanks . Have just booked a trip to Chicago (in the miles sale) for next June so took great interest in what there is to do! I've heard that it is an aawesome city and cant wait to go

Also delighted to hear about your trip to The Cheesecake Factory - my favourite US restaurant by far - what Cheesecake did you go for??

May messgae you (if its ok) for some tips for Chicago.

Cheers
Mark

Thank you for such an interesting TR

Looks like VS pressed all the right buttons on your flight and top marks for the guy at ORD telling folks about the lack of food outlets

The incident of the people in Row 18, does raise a question about checks before the aircraft left

buns

The incident of the people in Row 18, does raise a question about checks before the aircraft left

Great point, Detective Buns

Thanks all for your feedback.

Petmadness - more than heppy to help with your trip next year! Am jealous, want to go again !

Re : couple in row 18, when we were taxi-ing for takeoff 2 of the crew were looking at a sheet rather puzzled, and kept counting heads. That was obviously why

oh I went for White chocolate and raspberry cheesecake, really struggled to choose, wanted them all !!

lovetoholiday wrote:oh I went for White chocolate and raspberry cheesecake, really struggled to choose, wanted them all !!

Ah hahh! My wife's absolute favourite! Personally I'm a chocolate fiend so the 30th Anniversary blows my mind every time

Thanks for the offer of help, will take you up on that soon when we start putting a plan together

Pete - have a list of hints and tips I can send you too - PM me your email.

Thanks for a great TR , having never been to Chicago it certainly gives food for thought for me and my other half.

jfenney wrote:Thanks for a great TR , having never been to Chicago it certainly gives food for thought for me and my other half.

Great TR, thanks.

I'm tempted as well...a long weekend maybe..never been so this has whetted my apetite!.

Thank You for an interesting TR. It has made me worry a bit about security on the aircraft though.

Katie

Great TR, thanks. Maybe time for a second Chicago visit. We went as a family a few years back, and both the offspring have been again when in the US.