Jfazzer From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 153 posts, RR: 10 Posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 1287 times:
Hi,
I am thinking about booking a day trip to ORD with SK from MAN via CPH.
Just to fly long haul with them really.
However I will have a day to kill in Chicago and was wondering what the airport is like for spotting for a total stranger to the area and being on foot.
Also what are the cops like in the area? do they get piss*d off with spotters or are they pretty cool.
Would I be able to view anything from the airport itself?
Fsgay From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 23 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 2 days ago) and read 1253 times:
If I remember correctly, from my last layover there, it is possible to get halfway decent views of activity on Rwy 32L/14R from the far end of Concourse F, and probable from the far end of Concourse E (although I didn't venture down that direction). Windows in Concourse F are pretty decent (no tint), but the windows in the two main United Concourses (A and B) are few and far between ,as well as being heavily tinted, so those two concourses are generally pretty bad for photography. From the looks of it, you could probably get decent shots of activity on Rwy 27L/09R from the far end of Concourse H as well.
SpeedbirdEGJJ From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2003, 429 posts, RR: 5 Reply 3, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1204 times:
Hi John
Depends if your looking for photos or actual 'spotting'. I was there a few weeks back and would be happy to share my info. Drop me an email if you like
AndrewUber From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 2528 posts, RR: 50 Reply 4, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 1186 times:
John -
I have spent quite a bit of time in Chicago over the last few months, and I can offer you some help. While I am not familiar with the spotting opportunities at the ORD terminal, I can tell you that if you rent a car you can get a ton of great shots around ORD and even MDW.
Syncmaster and I have found some nice private property around the edges of ORD, as well as a few construction sites. Ask for a foreman and they will usually be very open to you spotting from their areas as long as you stay out of the way. We've nailed some fantastic shots from the southern edge of the airport, right under the approaches:
Getting to Midway isn't very difficult. You can ride the "L" downtown, then get on the Orange Line and it will take you straight into MDW. There are lots of spots around Midway, you can even walk the perimeter of the airport. The parking garage and surrounding business have some great spots as well.
As far as security goes - I have been approached and even searched while in Chicago, but I've never had any major problems. The cops around ORD are getting a bit more tolerant it seems, and the cops at MDW are pretty nice too. Just don't be too invasive (leaning a ladder on the fence, and climbing up to shoot OVER it might land you a free night in jail).
We go up there every couple of weeks on business, let us know which dates you're thinking about coming in and perhaps we can even arrange some sort of get together or tour. We do have some KILLER access at MDW!
Syncmaster From United States of America, joined Jul 2002, 1929 posts, RR: 16 Reply 5, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 1166 times:
Quoting AndrewUber (Reply 4): Getting to Midway isn't very difficult. You can ride the "L" downtown, then get on the Orange Line and it will take you straight into MDW. There are lots of spots around Midway, you can even walk the perimeter of the airport. The parking garage and surrounding business have some great spots as well.
Thanks for the plugs! Just to add to what you've already said, you would take the blue line from ORD to downtown, then transfer to the orange line at the Clark and Lake station.
Joness0154 From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 667 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 1141 times:
Hey Drew, would you be interested in some company next time you visit the Chicago area? I am just getting in to the spotting/photography scene and I'd like to find someone in the area that can show me the ropes, has good access, etc. Im just a newbie
I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem
AndrewUber From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 2528 posts, RR: 50 Reply 7, posted (6 years 5 months 3 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 1133 times:
Quoting Joness0154 (Reply 6): Hey Drew, would you be interested in some company next time you visit the Chicago area? I am just getting in to the spotting/photography scene and I'd like to find someone in the area that can show me the ropes, has good access, etc. Im just a newbie
If I have time, I enjoy showing folks around. E-mail me through one of my photos, we'll see what we can figure out!
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