Well we finally arrived.
30 hours after leaving Melbourne we booked into our Chicago hotel at 3.00 am. Totally exhausted and looking for a place to lie down as it had been a long ordeal. To top things off it was barmy 83 degrees at 2.30am at O'Hare Airport as we piled into the taxi, which looked like it had seen better days. I don't know why they fit them with indicators as no one seems to use them here.
But lets go back to the start.
Got to Tullamarine with plenty of time, which was fortunate as our flight took off 30 minutes earlier then what was indicated on our schedule. Great flight (Boeng 777 300) to Auckland (3.5 hours) and kudos to Air New Zealand for their planes, crew and service. Had a very nice lamb meal somewhere over the Tasman. Had to pay for drinks though as the flight is considered local.
Our flight from Auckland to LA was pretty bumpy for most of the night and about 12 hours long. One of the crew told me during a long talk during the night that they didn't really like the Boeing 777 - 300 as they were a very heavy plane and didn't cruise well at altitudes over 35,000 feet so couldn't climb over the turbulence so had to ride through it. Did the trip often and always turbulent.
Here we had to clear customs, which we did fairly easy. Reminded me of the way we went through customs at Heathrow. To be honest I was surprised just how easy it was. However that changed dramaticaly when went to board our United Airlines Domestic flight to Chicago. Queues here are par for the course so you soon get used to that, but the site of 100 people taking off shoes, belts, rings, watches and anything else that they want is an amazing sight. After that you have to pass through one of those scanners that see everything that you have on your person. I pity those operators who must have a high stress levels. After that they pat you down before they let you pass through! All this for an internal domestic flight!
All I will say about UNITED AIRLINES is that all the stories we have ever heard about them is true! The plane was new and clean, crew good and the flight ok. The ground staff another matter.
Our 4.20pm flight had been cancelled, without notice to us. No one knew what time the next flight was and we didn't know if we had a flight. The ground staff iniatly sent us to the wrong queue. They in turn sent of to another line, which after a wait gave us a boarding pass. They also told us that the flight would leave at 6.10 pm. 3 Hours later and we were informed that the flight would be delayed 1hour which soon became 1.30 hours late and then delayed yet again. The reason was that the pilots hadn't arrived for the flight yet!!!!
Today we strolled around the local area getting a few things and trying to get some products for Lois's Kitchen Aid. No luck there as the stores she suggested had none. Will keep looking and will try Downtown Chicago before the ball game tomorrow . Jim pictured left after we got back from our walk. 90 plus degrees outside, feels like 150 to us after our winter. Locals say its a record heat wave, just our luck. Should be Burnt Lobster out in the bleachers tomorrow. Jim relaxing watching "final Offer" a TV show about auctions..... look out a real prime time hit coming out. Stay tuned.
Till next time
Neil W
By the way the Cubs won 4 - 0 in a pretty lacklustre game, where the Astros offence didn't give a yelp. Also the cubs starter pitcher denied a complete game at the death after 8 and 1/3 innings!
