Once again, I find myself on an airplane when somebody asks about
Chicago...

Airport-wise, it is a tale of two airports. O'Hare is your
full-service, major airlines, international airport. It is slightly
farther from downtown than Midway, but the slight difference can
literally be an hour (or more) of travel time in rush hour (avoid
Friday evening arrivals at all cost). And when there is weather in
Chicago, O'Hare is messed up. The good news, however, is that you all
will be coming to Chicago, not changing planes here. O'Hare is
dominated by United and American, with representation from most of the
other airlines. United and American are tending to shift flights to
their regional carriers, which increases service frequency, but those
little planes tend to be overbooked and subject to cancellation for no
apparent reason.

Midway (also advertised as an "International Airport" -- primarily
because ATA was going to Mexico and the Carribean) tends to have the
discount airlines, with Southwest the big player. United's Ted will be
serving Midway from Dulles and Denver in a couple months. The major
airlines tend to be represented by their regional counterparts. Midway
does tend to avoid most of the weather delays of O'Hare, simply because
it doesn't have the traffic of O'Hare. Midway has been completely
remodeled and is a very nice airport now, although with lots of
infrequent flyers, the security lines can get goofy at times.

Jet Blue does not yet serve Chicago.

Both airports are served by the CTA rapid transit lines. From O'Hare,
you'll take the Blue line downtown and end up in the subway under
Dearborn Street. In theory, you can walk underground from the subway to
the Hyatt, but you likely won't need to in September. It's probably
about a half to three-quarters of a mile walk. From Midway, the Orange
line will let you off above Wabash Ave. CAUTION: Lots of luggage and
the rapid transit trains don't mix. No luggage racks and the elevators
might not be where you'd like them. And, as always, Chicago is a big
city and the usual big city cautions apply about public transportation.

Chicago does not have flat taxi rates to the city center from the
airports. You pay whatever rings up, unless you negotiate something up
front. In some cases, particularly if there are several folks traveling
together, a limo service may be more economical as they will charge a
flat rate (and provide a nicer ride).

Keep in mind the Conference hotel is the Hyatt Regency Chicago on
Wacker Drive (there are several Hyatts downtown).

I'm cross-posting this to the Chicago Conference Yahoo Group
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ARMAChicago2005-L
where you can always ask these questions.

Patrick Cunningham, CRM

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