Chicago flights

[Isualum13]

I didn't look at what flights cost to Chicago from des moines, or if anyone is interested, but you can fly round trip out of mason city, leaving Friday around noon. Returning Saturday. Total cost was $273. With the price of gas, this seems like a pretty good option.

 

[BCClone]

I didn't look at what flights cost to Chicago from des moines, or if anyone is interested, but you can fly round trip out of mason city, leaving Friday around noon. Returning Saturday. Total cost was $273. With the price of gas, this seems like a pretty good option.

Thought they were losing service there.

Take Amtrak.

 

[fcclone]

I didn't look at what flights cost to Chicago from des moines, or if anyone is interested, but you can fly round trip out of mason city, leaving Friday around noon. Returning Saturday. Total cost was $273. With the price of gas, this seems like a pretty good option.

That’s where I’m booked. Coming back Monday morning.

 

[fcclone]

Thought they were losing service there.

FAA made them honor their contract.

 

[Pat]

As someone who used to fly pretty regularly for work, I always drove to Chicagoland from Ames. Duration was about the same, but any delays were by my choice, not the airline, and I always got the best seat in the vehicle. Never lost my luggage, never had to sit next to a toilet, never had a morbidly obese person in the seat next to me…

 

[fcclone]

As someone who used to fly pretty regularly for work, I always drove to Chicagoland from Ames. Duration was about the same, but any delays were by my choice, not the airline, and I always got the best seat in the vehicle. Never lost my luggage, never had to sit next to a toilet, never had a morbidly obese person in the seat next to me…

Sitting next to my not obese son. An hour and a half flight doesn’t equal 6 hours on the road for me. But maybe you value time differently than me.

 

[Isualum13]

Sitting next to my not obese son. An hour and a half flight doesn’t equal 6 hours on the road for me. But maybe you value time differently than me.

This is my opinion. If I didn't have work on Friday, I would likely be on the plane with you.

 

[fcclone]

This is my opinion. If I didn't have work on Friday, I would likely be on the plane with you.

just need to take the afternoon off. Can’t wait for Friday. Go Cyclones!

 

[Isualum13]

Thought they were losing service there.

Take Amtrak.

I just read their Facebook post and the airline will be honoring the contract for at least 90 days as of March 11th. Termination of service due to a pilot shortage. DOT responded prohibiting this until a replacement can be found. So service will continue until at least mid june.

 

[Isualum13]

just need to take the afternoon off. Can’t wait for Friday. Go Cyclones!

I may look into it.

 

[Pat]

Sitting next to my not obese son. An hour and a half flight doesn’t equal 6 hours on the road for me. But maybe you value time differently than me.

Yeah, but you don’t show up to O’Hare 5 minutes before your flight. I was, granted, going to the suburbs, but drive time was 5 hours, and, counting drive to airport and to hotel, it was comparable. If EVERYTHING goes right, flying is faster, and it’s less frowned upon to have a cocktail or two en route. If you don’t need to rent a car, that tips the scales, too. But if weather is crappy, things can go south in a hurry with air travel.

God, I miss airports.

 

[fcclone]

Yeah, but you don’t show up to O’Hare 5 minutes before your flight. I was, granted, going to the suburbs, but drive time was 5 hours, and, counting drive to airport and to hotel, it was comparable. If EVERYTHING goes right, flying is faster, and it’s less frowned upon to have a cocktail or two en route. If you don’t need to rent a car, that tips the scales, too. But if weather is crappy, things can go south in a hurry with air travel.

God, I miss airports.

I’ll take my chances with the weather on Friday. Actually, I am not concerned with showing up at O‘Hare on Monday morning. it’s all about getting to the sweet sixteen on Friday!

 

[NorthCyd]

Yeah, but you don’t show up to O’Hare 5 minutes before your flight. I was, granted, going to the suburbs, but drive time was 5 hours, and, counting drive to airport and to hotel, it was comparable. If EVERYTHING goes right, flying is faster, and it’s less frowned upon to have a cocktail or two en route. If you don’t need to rent a car, that tips the scales, too. But if weather is crappy, things can go south in a hurry with air travel.

God, I miss airports.

This. If you don't live in Mason City it's hard to see how it's worth it. I was just in Chicago last week and driving from Ankeny we got to our hotel close to Naperville in 4.5 hours drive time. I don't understand flying at that point.

 

[fcclone]

This. If you don't live in Mason City it's hard to see how it's worth it. I was just in Chicago last week and driving from Ankeny we got to our hotel close to Naperville in 4.5 hours drive time. I don't understand flying at that point.

Agreed. This as an awesome option for those traveling from north central Iowa. I don’t think the OP was suggesting it was a great option for those in central or eastern Iowa.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

I fly anything over 3 hours if I can. No one gets to the airport 2 hours before a flight.

Midwesterners have this innate desire to just show off how far they can drive and it drives me nuts. I used to be the same way but I’m glad I got over it.

They invited flight for a reason, because it’s infinitely better than a car.

 

[Cycsk]

Yeah, but you don’t show up to O’Hare 5 minutes before your flight. I was, granted, going to the suburbs, but drive time was 5 hours, and, counting drive to airport and to hotel, it was comparable. If EVERYTHING goes right, flying is faster, and it’s less frowned upon to have a cocktail or two en route. If you don’t need to rent a car, that tips the scales, too. But if weather is crappy, things can go south in a hurry with air travel.

God, I miss airports.

Distance from Ames to DSM, time at the airports, and renting a car would add 3+ hours to the flight time for me.

 

[cycloner29]

I know United flies out of Fort Dodge now. Only a 50 minute drive from Ames to the airport. I used to fly Air Choice One to St. Louis from Fort Dodge. I loved doing that until it changed to United.

 

[KidSilverhair]

I fly anything over 3 hours if I can. No one gets to the airport 2 hours before a flight.

I see you haven’t met my wife.

 

[BCClone]

I know United flies out of Fort Dodge now. Only a 50 minute drive from Ames to the airport. I used to fly Air Choice One to St. Louis from Fort Dodge. I loved doing that until it changed to United.

Do they fly on weekends? That is the issue I have had with MC, they are only M-F.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

As someone who used to fly pretty regularly for work, I always drove to Chicagoland from Ames. Duration was about the same, but any delays were by my choice, not the airline, and I always got the best seat in the vehicle. Never lost my luggage, never had to sit next to a toilet, never had a morbidly obese person in the seat next to me…

I would rather drive than fly most of the time. The airlines have turned flying into such a miserable experience.