I'm in Chicago

[Firebird]

So I'm in Chicago. The trip started out badly....Southwest flight left Houston Hobby about an hour late, I got in late to Midway. I go to pick up the renter (compact, of course... poor student).

The guy at Budget says "We're all out of compacts at this hour. Do you want to upgrade to a full size for 8.00 more? ( I had a reservation)".

Of course, I say, no I do not. I want to get a car for the reservation price.

So the guy says....I'm searching....searching......

Long story short, I'm driving a silver 2007 Mustang for the price of the compact. Trip is looking up:D

[jtk1519]

Reminds me of the episode of Seinfeld where the rental company doesn't have a car to match his reservation. Great stuff. :D

[twcpfan1]

I thought they would have put you in the 'Cadillac of Minivans'. (like in 'Get Shorty')

[ktCarl]

Will you have the time to go to Wrigley and catch a Cubs game? That's one thing I would try to do up there. Just soak in the nostalgia.

[KT2000]

Will you have the time to go to Wrigley and catch a Cubs game? That's one thing I would try to do up there. Just soak in the nostalgia.

He wouldn't get into Wrigley unless he has some good connections. I lived in Chicago for two years and never got close to the place. Same for Bulls games at what was referred to then as "The Madhouse on Madison."

[twcpfan1]

After the way Cubs fans reacted to the Bartman incident, I do not know why anybody would want to go anywhere near Wrigley or be associated with that fanbase.

[KT2000]

A century of frustration unleashed on one dude...not pretty.

"Find him and string him up!"- Will Ferrell as Harry Caray

[Favpack]

So I'm in Chicago. The trip started out badly....Southwest flight left Houston Hobby about an hour late, I got in late to Midway. I go to pick up the renter (compact, of course... poor student).

The guy at Budget says "We're all out of compacts at this hour. Do you want to upgrade to a full size for 8.00 more? ( I had a reservation)".

Of course, I say, no I do not. I want to get a car for the reservation price.

So the guy says....I'm searching....searching......

Long story short, I'm driving a silver 2007 Mustang for the price of the compact. Trip is looking up:D

Good job FB - rental car agents are terrible negotiators. I'm really not that good myself -and I always nail these guys when they pull nonsense.

No, I just want the car I reserved for the price I reserved. Better half and I went to Disney World with 4 kids in tow - ours and others. I sprinted out of the rental van to beat the line and they pulled this nonsense. We got a Buick Limited, which was pretty good for 6.

[twcpfan1]

Good job FB - rental car agents are terrible negotiators. I'm really not that good myself -and I always nail these guys when they pull nonsense.

No, I just want the car I reserved for the price I reserved. Better half and I went to Disney World with 4 kids in tow - ours and others. I sprinted out of the rental van to beat the line and they pulled this nonsense. We got a Buick Limited, which was pretty good for 6.

I've been lucky. It seems they never have the cheap economy car that I arranged for beforehand. They always put me in an SUV for the same price I had intially agreed to pay. A few years ago, it was a Chevy Blazer at Honolulu Airport. It was fun driving up to the Northshore of Oahu in one of those instead of a Hyundai Accent.

[Firebird]

Will you have the time to go to Wrigley and catch a Cubs game? That's one thing I would try to do up there. Just soak in the nostalgia.


I don't have the $$$ or the contacts to get into Wrigley. I wanted to catch a Sox game, but I am traveling with two Russians (wife and her bro) who don't appreciate baseball like I do. It will still be a fun trip, though. I've never visited Chicago or the midwest before.

[stevefoxsc]

So I'm in Chicago. The trip started out badly....Southwest flight left Houston Hobby about an hour late, I got in late to Midway. I go to pick up the renter (compact, of course... poor student).

The guy at Budget says "We're all out of compacts at this hour. Do you want to upgrade to a full size for 8.00 more? ( I had a reservation)".

Of course, I say, no I do not. I want to get a car for the reservation price.

So the guy says....I'm searching....searching......

Long story short, I'm driving a silver 2007 Mustang for the price of the compact. Trip is looking up:D

stangs :puke

[KT2000]

I highly recommend going up to the observation deck in the Herbie Hancock building.

The best view of downtown in the city, in my opinion. The Sears is cool, but it's almost too high to get a great view. Plus, standing up there you feel as if you are about to fall off the edge of the world and some people don't enjoy that particular sensation.

[Firebird]

stangs :puke

They aren't my favorite, but you look a dang sight cooler in a stang than you do in a Focus.

[jrock210]

So I'm in Chicago. The trip started out badly....Southwest flight left Houston Hobby about an hour late, I got in late to Midway. I go to pick up the renter (compact, of course... poor student).

The guy at Budget says "We're all out of compacts at this hour. Do you want to upgrade to a full size for 8.00 more? ( I had a reservation)".

Of course, I say, no I do not. I want to get a car for the reservation price.

So the guy says....I'm searching....searching......

Long story short, I'm driving a silver 2007 Mustang for the price of the compact. Trip is looking up:D

No wonder it started out badly you flew with Southwest.

[Firebird]

No wonder it started out badly you flew with Southwest.


Southwest is the best airline in the country. There is no airline that gets higher customer satisfaction rankings consistently. Over the years, Southwest is on time more often, loses less luggage, and flies for less than virtually any other carrier. They outstrip the traditional big carriers by that measure so badly it's ridiculous. Not to mention, they were the only major carrier that still turned a profit in the months after 9/11.

I'd fly Southwest transcontinental if I could. I'd munch peanuts and drink Dr. Pepper all the way.

[jrock210]

Southwest is the best airline in the country. There is no airline that gets higher customer satisfaction rankings consistently. Over the years, Southwest is on time more often, loses less luggage, and flies for less than virtually any other carrier. They outstrip the traditional big carriers by that measure so badly it's ridiculous. Not to mention, they were the only major carrier that still turned a profit in the months after 9/11.

I'd fly Southwest transcontinental if I could. I'd munch peanuts and drink Dr. Pepper all the way.

any airline serving Dr. Pepper has to be a good airline. Forget my other coments.

[Firebird]

I highly recommend going up to the observation deck in the Herbie Hancock building.

The best view of downtown in the city, in my opinion. The Sears is cool, but it's almost too high to get a great view. Plus, standing up there you feel as if you are about to fall off the edge of the world and some people don't enjoy that particular sensation.


I just caught this...Tommy Boy....nice.....one of the great comedies of our generation.

[PaulinPlano]

He wouldn't get into Wrigley unless he has some good connections. I lived in Chicago for two years and never got close to the place. Same for Bulls games at what was referred to then as "The Madhouse on Madison."


Catching the Cubs will be extemely tough right now since I just watched them beat LA at Dodger Stadium today.:D

Guys, getting a Cub's ticket is not difficult. They are not sold out for the season. On my trip, I got great seats, but I did buy them a month in advance.

I just checked the Cubs website and if you can send the women shopping on Michigan Avenue or something, you can get a single infield seat RIGHT NOW for Monday's game. You can get 3 seats right now for Tuesday's game. Of course this all means your in Chicago for the week.

Go to Gino's East for a pizza! But expect to enjoys a 45 minute happy hour while your pie is made.

And take the boat ride tour. It takes you through town and talks about Chicago. They will also take you out on the lake. Monday's weather looks like your best bet for a tour, But I suggest catching the day game if you can. Tuesday and Wednesday are night games.

[PaulinPlano]

So how long are you staying?

[Humblefied]

Ok, so to have the best pizza of your life you need to go to luminatis. That place has the most amazing pizza in the world. Enough said.

[Firebird]

So how long are you staying?

I'll be back in God's country tomorrow night....so, no Cubs or Sox:(

[BDB]

I'll be back in God's country tomorrow night....so, no Cubs or Sox:(

only a card can say gods country and make a :( face after that.

:D jp jp :D