Day 2 – Brisbane, QLD, to Chicago, IL
After months of planning, researching and looking forward to our big American adventure, it was finally time to leave Australia behind and head for the USA. Today’s mission was to get from Brisbane to Chicago, which sounds simple enough until you factor in a couple of long-haul flights, airport queues, baggage delays and the general joys of international travel!
Business Class – Now We’re Talking!
Check-in at Brisbane Airport was painless, which was a much better experience than the previous year. Things were off to a good start, and thanks to our successful Business Class upgrade, we were able to enjoy the Singapore Airlines Lounge before boarding.
As for Business Class, all I can say is WOW! It really is something else. The extra comfort and the overall experience were fantastic. I could certainly get used to travelling this way, although our bank account might have a few objections if we made it a regular habit!
Of course, no matter which class you fly, a long-haul flight is still a long-haul flight. After all those hours in the air, we were more than happy to finally disembark in Los Angeles.
Welcome to America – Now Where’s Our Luggage?
Anyone who has travelled to the USA will know that getting through immigration and Homeland Security can sometimes feel like an endurance event in its own right. This time, however, we sailed through remarkably quickly.
Naturally, there had to be a catch.
After getting through immigration without too much fuss, we then waited what seemed like forever for our luggage. Apparently, someone forgot the bit about unloading the premium baggage first. So much for the perks of travelling up the pointy end!
Eventually, our bags appeared and we were officially on American soil. We made our way through Terminal 4 to catch our connecting flight to Chicago.
American Domestic Flights – A Different Ball Game
Flying domestically in the USA is quite different from flying around Australia. Perhaps it’s simply the sheer volume of people travelling every day, but the whole experience felt a little more dismal than we were used to.
We had never flown with American Airlines before, so we weren’t quite sure what to expect. Having now tried them, I think I’d be inclined to stick with Delta next time.
The flight was fully booked, ran a little late, and we also had to pay extra for our baggage. By this stage, we were well and truly into the just get us there phase of the journey.
After around 26 hours of airports and flights, we finally arrived in Chicago. We were tired, ready for a shower and keen to get settled into our accommodation. The adventure was officially underway, but we still had one more little hurdle to overcome.
The Taxi That Tested Our Patience
We grabbed a taxi from the airport to our motel in Willowbrook. During the trip, the driver gave us some story about zones and penalty rates that had me wondering whether we were being taken for a ride in more ways than one!
To make matters worse, he didn’t even bother helping load or unload the luggage. After a long day of travelling, that didn’t exactly win him any points.
With my phone connection now sorted, we decided that Uber would be our preferred transport option from here on. At least with an app, you have a better idea of what you’re paying before the wheels start turning!
Econo Lodge Willowbrook – A Convenient Base
When booking accommodation, one of the things I always try to ensure is that there are dining options within walking distance. After a long day of travel, the last thing you want is to organise another taxi just to find something to eat.
The Econo Lodge Willowbrook ticked that box, with Denny’s, The Kerry Piper and Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket all nearby.
There was just one small hiccup at check-in. Despite having made our booking through Booking.com more than nine months earlier, the motel couldn’t find our reservation.
Not exactly the welcome you hope for after 26 hours of travel!
Thankfully, they had a room available and honoured the price we had originally been quoted. So, after a bit of uncertainty, we were finally able to check in and put our feet up.
The Kerry Piper – Thirsty Thursday to the Rescue!
For dinner, we decided to head to The Kerry Piper, and if you’re ever in the greater Chicago area, this place is well worth a visit.
As luck would have it, we arrived on a Thursday, which meant it was time for their Thirsty Thursdays specials. With pints going for just $4, it seemed rude not to take advantage of the offer. After all, we hadn’t travelled all that way to ignore a bargain!
The food was a winner too. Their Pub Burger was one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. It was seriously good!
Mind you, after a day of airports, flights, delays and jet lag, it’s entirely possible the pints had something to do with my glowing review. But I’m happy to give the burger the benefit of the doubt.
After a long day getting from Brisbane to Chicago, a good feed, a few reasonably priced pints and a comfortable bed were just what the doctor ordered.
We’d made it to the USA, and our Route 66 adventure was about to get properly underway. Now we just needed to catch up on some sleep before hitting the road!
#TheThirstyTourists #TouringIsThirstyWork
