Chicago O'Hare

I took the shuttle from the Intercontinental Hotel to the airport at 08:40. After we had dropped some other guests at the CTA station “Rosemont” we continued to O'Hare and I was dropped at United's terminal 1 around 08:50. I headed for the self check in facilities.
While going through the check-in process I was asked if I would like to have an upgrade to First for 154 USD or for Economy Plus for 39 USD. I declined both offers and instead settled for the second last row in Economy with a window seat. At the end, I got the somehow expected “You have to see an agent” sheet out of the machine. Not uncommon if you are connecting from an international flight and are a foreigner crediting the miles not to Mileage Plus. The wait for the agent took some time because there was only one on duty and another passengers seems to have some difficulties with his ticket and there were four passengers in front of me. 15 minutes later it was my turn and I had my boarding pass seconds later. I headed for the Priority security lines at the left hand side of the check in facilities. The line moved quickly and after the usual shoes off, laptop and liquids out of bag thing I was through security and on my way to the Red Carpet Club in concourse C.

The Red Carpet Club was busy, but not overcrowded. Many free seats were available. I noticed, they have changed carpets and lounge chairs in some parts of the lounge. Food offerings were muffins, bagels and fruits (bananas, apples, oranges) and coffee, water orange juice were available was well. I got a coffee, a muffin and a banana and took a seat. I sent some text messages to friends and waited for boarding time. Five minutes prior to boarding time I headed for the gate where I arrived as everybody was asked to approach the desk for a ID check.

Boarding started a bit behind the scheduled boarding time, but the plane was not full.

As usual First Class, Global Services and 1Ks were asked first to board soon followed by Premier Executives, Premiers, Star Gold and Star Silvers.

30 May 2009
FRA – YUL
[Chicago O'Hare – Montreal Pierre Elliot Trudeau]
UA 7630 (United); Embraer 170 (N647RW)
Gate C 4
10:27 – 13:30 [effective 10:26 – 13:34]
Economy Class
Seat 17 A

I was greeted by a flight attendant while entering the Embraer 170 Regional Jet and headed for my seat in the second last row. I chatted a bit with the flight attendant working in the rear galley while I stored my belongings in the overhead compartment. She asked me where I was coming from and after I told her that I was coming from Germany replied to my very surprise in German. It happened, that she was also German, but moved to the US back in the early 80ies or so.

The plane filled with passengers. Boarding was completed soon and the captain gave us some information about flight time and weather conditions in Montreal followed by the safety demonstration done by the flight attendant – the speech however was done by tape.

We pushed back and taxied for the runway 32 where we had to queue behind seven or so other planes. At 10:50 it was finally our turn and we climbed into the sky and made a right turn to Lake Michigan. The first flight time was quite a bit bumpy and the seat belt signs were turned on but turned off after 15 minutes in flight. I took a few pictures and continued to read in the papers I brought with me from the lounge and started my laptop and did a bit of work with my trip report.

The beverage service started after twenty minutes flight time. Sitting in the last occupied row meant I got the whole can of the tonic water I had ordered.
Immigration forms were distributed after the meal service.

After the meal service the crew took a seat on the very last row and did some paperwork. A mother was walking with her young child through the plane and the two flight attendants were very charming to her and her child.

The flight was uneventful. Only as we began our approach into Montreal Airport is became very bumpy. We got nice views over the city centre of Montreal where we touched down around 13:28.

I chatted a bit with the German born flight attendant a bit about Germany, Montreal and the US as we were waiting for the jetbridge and the other passengers leaving the plane.

It was quite a walk from the far end of the concourse to the immigration and customs. Immigration was empty and it was just a question of seconds before I could enter into Canada.

Outside I waited for rcs85551 to arrive and together we headed for the Hertz counter.

Overall it was a nice flight and the flight attendants were very good. They were sitting in the rows behind me after they have done service, but were nevertheless attentive and noticed if a passenger was looking for them and they walked several times through the cabin and looking if anybody needed anything. So far, a great crew.

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