FLYING DAY AND NIGHT!

Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD)
United Club Lounge--Concourse C
Wednesday, November 2, 2022--9 a.m. Erie, PA time, 8 a.m. Chicago time

Sunny

After we boarded the Canadair CL-65 in Erie and were seated somewhat comfortably, the pilot announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, this  is your captain. We cannot start the engine so a generator will need to be brought over to start it."  

What the heck!?#@$!  These are words I never want to hear about the jet I have just boarded.  After about 20 minutes of strange loud noises, the engine allegedly started and we were flying away.  I don't think they turned on the heater  because the flight was very cold.  

Facts about our jet from the Internet: One of the faster jets in its class, the Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet CL-65 or CRJ200 is frequently used to replace larger jets. Servicing up to 50 passengers at a cruise speed of 461 mph, the CL-65 is noted for exceptional versatility, mainly regarding its extremely short runway requirements.  Janie's aside:  BUT, sometimes the engine doesn't start

That said, we did make it smoothly to Chicago where we will be until 4 p.m. Erie time, about a 7 hour layover.

TK got up at 3:45 a.m. this morning (in Erie), he had trouble sleeping and with all the moving parts for this trip I can understand that.  I woke up at 5 a.m. (I forced myself to go to bed at 9 p.m. last night) and really had a good night's sleep.  Son Brian arrived about 5:40 a.m. to tote us to the Erie airport. I love how pleasant he was so early in the morning, a very stark contrast to his high school days when his mother had to wake him up and drive him and his brother to school.   

The United Airlines Club Lounge is not as comfy as the American Airlines Club Lounge at LaGuardia. To be fair, the AA lounge was brand new, with lounge chairs to recline and sleep in, among other amenities.  This lounge in Chicago has comfortable chairs, tables, not as much access to electric outlets, an nice array of breakfast items, very strong coffee, and pleasant, but stark decor.  

So what did we forget? Immediately I realized I had forgotten my packable blanket. Doggone it. I must have taken it out of my laptop bag to stuff something else in and never put it back in. It is such a nice blanket with no weight but always handy when I get cold.  TK forgot his neck pillow. He said he was playing with it and forgot to put it back in his bag. Let's hope that is all we forgot!! (Note: Janie found her blanket in her carry-on--too early in the morning!)

TK already is taking photos already!

United Club--Concourse B

United Club-Concourse B

There are two similar sections like this, and one very well-stocked bar

A nice array of the breakfast food

United Club Concourse C

It is 10 a.m. Erie time now, so I will close--more later maybe. Our next flight is at 4 p.m. Erie time and then we will be off to Zurich for about a two hour layover. From there we fly to Barcelona--my best estimate is that we will arrive in Barcelona about 8 or 9 a.m. Erie time on November 3. 

If something exciting happens in the meantime, I will add to this post!

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2 p.m. 

Nothing exciting happening, but the meatball sub was good in the United Club. TK explored a little more too.

ORD-- Concourse B where we will catch our flight to Zurich

Dinosaur! Dinosaurs in Chicago, dinosaurs in Pittsburgh

Dinosaurs everywhere!

TK's Takes: The plane was very cold and the there was a lot of noise.  American Airlines Lounge in LaGuardia was much nicer, but it was brand new.  He also told me that the pilot probably did not turn on the heater because the battery wasn't charged enough by the generator.