I had never heard real Chicago accents before ... Only SNL spoofs ... Totally accurate. All of the announcements are in this thick Dick Butkus voice. Adorbs!!
TSA must have a roulette wheel wheel they spin to determine how the security checkpoints are going to be laid out that day. I travel on average once a month and the variance is significant.
If you're traveling during holidays, line to check baggage is >100 people & you, like me, cut timing way too close, check baggage outside. 1/5 wait time. They work for tip but I made my flight for $5.
Tourists! Chicago is a public transit city! Try out the orangeline to downtown, avoid the hassle of driving in Chicago and paying 100$ a night to park in the loop
Instead of the cell phone lot, use the short-term parking which leaves you just steps from the arrivals and meet your party in person as they get in. It's only $2 for a half hour of $4 for one hour.
You can't bring bottled water with you through TSA; however you CAN bring an empty water bottle. Pack one in your carry-on so that you can fill it up at the water fountain before you board.
Baggage claim sucks here and is the only problem I see with this airport. Even though bags are free with Southwest, if you are in a hurry, carry it on!
The "no carry-on bag" express security line is only worth it if there's an open security lane dedicated to it. If it all directs to all lanes, just pick the shortest line.
The "expert" line is a facade. Everyone goes right thinking it will be shorter which leads to congestion AND it has the slower AIT machine. Go left to beat the wait and hit the X-Rays instead.
Never fly Delta out except on,direct flights. They are constantly late and miss connections, then it take superman efforts to get to one's final destinations. Automatic booking on the next flight is a
Free WiFi :) There are typically outlets to charge electronics but they're typically taken. As always, give yourself 40-60 min of flex time to accommodate for lines etc.
Chicago Midway International is recognized as one of the Southwest Airlinesairports to adopt Required Navigation Performance (RNP), which drastically saves time, fuel and reduces CO2 emissions. Read more
The women's room by the chapel & the USO is the cleanest & is a great place to change clothes because there's hardly ever anyone else in there & there's lots of counter space.
Need to power up? If on Concourse A, head to the Traveler Center just past McD's. There is an outlet conveniently next to one of the phone booth stations. Makes the perfect desktop for working :)
You can't check your bags at Southwest until 4 hours before your flight. If your hotel checkout is 11am and your flight isnt til 8pm, ask your hotel to hold your bags.