Leaving Conference?

[sandilou]

I have found a flight that would save me either driving 4 hours each way to a bigger town for a cheaper ticket or $200 from here, but it leaves at 3:55 on Saturday. Is that do-able? You can leave from conference, right? How soon do the shuttles start leaving?

Thanks!
Sandi

 

[Liquid Sky]

I have found a flight that would save me either driving 4 hours each way to a bigger town for a cheaper ticket or $200 from here, but it leaves at 3:55 on Saturday. Is that do-able? You can leave from conference, right? How soon do the shuttles start leaving?

Thanks!
Sandi

That's cutting it REALLLLLLLY close. I wouldn't suggest that. If you want to take that flight then you can leave conference early and get a cab.

 

[Gina M]

Bring your luggage to McCormick Place and take a cab from there and you can always leave conference a bit early if needed. Don't go back to the hotels with the shuttles - there will be a ton of people doing that.

 

[skaugchef]

I left from conference around 1:30 my first time. I'd suggest leaving later but if it saves you money it's doable.

 

[BethCooks4U]

I left from conference around 1:30 my first time. I'd suggest leaving later but if it saves you money it's doable.

They normally pass out the new season CN on the way out of conference and do not give them to anyone early so you might miss out on getting that but otherwise you have to do what you have to do!

 

[skaugchef]

They normally pass out the new season CN on the way out of conference and do not give them to anyone early so you might miss out on getting that but otherwise you have to do what you have to do!

I guess I wasn't THAT early. I did get the new season cn.

 

[raebates]

On a personal note: If you're planning to leave early, please sit near the exit. In years past I've been frustrated by sizable sections getting up in front of me and leaving while I'm trying to pay attention to what's going on. I understand the need to leave early, but it's terribly disruptive to do that if you're sitting near the front.

I realize that this is my own issue. Your opinion may differ.

 

[priseortega]

We had to leave early this past year and missed out on so much. I would recommend you leave later rather than earlier from my experience.

Priscilla

 

[straitfan]

Our flight last year departed O'Hare @ 3:20 and we made it! We stayed for the entire closing session, but sat near the exit and really hustled to the luggage area and hopped on a shuttle. (We DID get the new CN). We knew we'd be in hurry, so we bought the shuttle tix in advance, and made sure we knew EXACTLY what to do before we left the luggage/shuttle area to go to the meetings. PC really had their act together on the shuttles last year and it went very smoothly!

 

[deanna_g]

There was one evening last year that my team waited over an hour and a half for a shuttle back to the hotel. It was insane. So if you're going to the airport straight from conference, take a cab rather than a shuttle to the hotel and then a shuttle from the hotel to the airport. That's my $.02!

 

[otisbg]

For the past 2 years, I have done a departing flight between 3-4pm. and never had a problem - even having enough time to grab lunch at the airport. Last year, my flight was delayed until 6pm. I do not like to schedule the last or second last flight out as quite a few times while traveling, those flights have been delayed, cancelled etc....and I have had to stay overnight unplanned. I have booked my flight already and will be departing at 3:10pm on that Saturday. I do take my luggage to McCormack and am on my way by 1:30pm.
Best of luck to you

 

[ChefCKHall]

I scheduled a 6:30 PM flight from Midway. The conference ends at 1:00. I will probably just take shuttle from McCormick to airport and then relax, review, rest!

 

[flemings99]

You can make it. Just like the others said be ready to depart right away and definitely sit near the exit. Your talking basically about a 4pm flight. That gives you 3 hrs after conference lets out at 1. You'll be fine.

 

[Becca_in_MD]

There are Go Airport Express or other shared ride shuttles directly from McCormick Place. You should find out where they depart. I have had to hoof it across the entire facility to the pick-up area. Find out from the transportation company when their scheduled pick-ups are and if you need a reservation. Or, pay more for a cab or find others to share a cab with you. This is assuming you're flying from Midway. O'Hare is farther from McCormick so will take you longer to get there.

 

[almondfarm]

You can also take the public bus from McCormick to the transfer stationa nd then get on the El and go right to midway. I have done this with no trouble and made a 4:20 flight.