Getting to Wiscon

[redbird]

Having asked polyfrog about the possibility of a ride from Chicago to Madison, I just went online and looked at airfares, and apparently I save nothing--zilch, nada, not one red cent--by flying into Chicago instead of Madison. (Bear in mind that many of the least expensive New York–Madison tickets involve changing planes in Chicago.) Amtrak is significantly cheaper, but it's 14 hours each way, and I suspect I would sleep poorly if at all on the train. I do not want to arrive at Wiscon sleep-deprived: I just did Minicon in a similar state, and it does not improve my convention experience.

So, arrive in Madison either Thursday afternoon/evening (which gets me the possibility of packet stuffing and/or Room of One's Own reading/reception, and just more con time generally) or Friday early afternoon, fly back Monday afternoon.

Any opinions on United/US Airways/United Express?. I can get that for a few dollars (i.e. <*10) less than American or Northwest: a sensible choice if they're equivalent, but not significant if it's less safe or less comfortable.

*I use that &lt; code fairly often, almost never for its ostensible purpose as a less-than symbol.

Comments

[catamorphism.livejournal.com]

I've flown United and US Airways a couple times, and can't think of any difference between them and American.

[jenett]

We flew United out to Boston over the end of December. Was not fantastic, but not any worse than Northwest - decent customer service, etc. (We were doing carry on baggage, though...)

Our only gripe was having to trudge through long hallways in O'Hare while going from one plane to another (down, through the tunnel with the spiffy lights, then back up again). But if you are avoiding O'Hare, that wouldn't be a problem.

[ckd]

On most* of American's mainline jets, you get a little more legroom. Of course, any Chicago-Madison flight is likely to be a commuter airplane anyway (American Eagle/Northwest Airlink/United Express).

If you have specific flight numbers or times you're looking at, or noted the "equipment" they list on the reservation system, I can possibly comment on specific aircraft that are more or less comfortable to fly in.

* (On the 757s and A310s, I think, they've stopped doing More Room Throughout Coach. Sigh.)

[ex-erikvolso370.livejournal.com]

(On the 757s and A310s, I think, they've stopped doing More Room Throughout Coach. Sigh.)

A300s, actually - a much larger aircraft, about the size of a 767.

They put the 757s on the big tourist routes (MCO, LAS, that sort of thing) where they almost never sell premium seats, but sell lots of discount fares. They put the A300s flying to South America, for the same reason. LGA-ORD, however, will almost certainly be on an MD-80, with the extra legroom.

Knowing ORD well, I find the worst-case plane changes for AA (L4 to the far end of G much easier than the worst-case plane change for UA (either end of C to the far end of F. Since Madison is almost certainly not going to be mainline, the chances of having to trek to F are pretty high, if you fly UA.

However, O'Hare is a very compact airport, given the amount of passengers, and the worst case change -- Delta to United, end of L to end of C, isn't that long of a walk.

Personally, I fly AA, but I have status, and they've treated me very well. The extra legroom doesn't hurt. United has it too -- it's called Economy Plus, but you have to have status or fly full-fare to book the E+ seats in advance.

The Gotcha, unless you like frequent flyer miles, is to make sure you're changing on AA in O'Hare, not St. Louis. STL isn't offically a hub anymore, but there are nonstops to both LGA and Madison, which means you could end up turning through STL, and taking a much longer flight on a turboprop. AA doesn't fly turboprops out of ORD anymore (I don't think UA does either), so if you really dislike the eggbeaters, turn through ORD.

[redbird]

Having asked this, I found (on a different Web site) a better fare on American. And yes, via ORD--I don't mind turboprops (I have fond memories of Dash-80s from New York to Toronto Island Airport), but the extra distance via St. Louis does not appeal.

[pantryslut.livejournal.com]

I fly United all the time. It seems fine to me, pretty comparable to American.

[womzilla.livejournal.com]

ITA lists a $235 flight on ATA via Midway, if you return on Tuesday and are willing to take prop planes.

LGA to MSN Thur, May 27 2:01p-7:00p
MSN to LGA Tue, June 1 4:20p-9:22p

Greyhound is $138 but takes about 22 hours; can you sleep on a bus?

[mintogrubb.livejournal.com]

tell me, rebird, isht a pass from London, England, in your icon? It looks remarkably like the ones that we see on the Tube.

[redbird]

It should: that's my London Travelcard, scanned and reduced to make an LJ icon.