{"id":6487,"date":"2022-05-19T06:20:43","date_gmt":"2022-05-18T22:20:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/?p=6487"},"modified":"2023-05-18T10:59:07","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T02:59:07","slug":"202203wn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2022\/05\/19\/202203wn\/","title":{"rendered":"Roundtrip Flight between Washington Reagan and Chicago Midway with Southwest Airlines"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>March 2022, I flew to Chicago for some conference, as the first business trip I took in over 2 years from COVID.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010992.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010992.jpg\" alt=\"Downtown Chicago\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Downtown Chicago<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><script src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide.min.2.4.21.js\"><\/script>\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide-skyblue.min.css\">\n<script>\ndocument.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function () {\n    var secondarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-1', {\n        fixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n        focus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n        cover:true,isNavigation:true,\n        breakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n    } ).mount();\n    var primarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-major-1', {\n        type:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n    } );\n    primarySlider1.sync( secondarySlider1 ).mount();\n    var secondarySlider2 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-2', {\n        fixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n        focus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n        cover:true,isNavigation:true,\n        breakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n    } ).mount();\n    var primarySlider2 = new Splide( '#splide-major-2', {\n        type:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n    } );\n    primarySlider2.sync( secondarySlider2 ).mount();\n    var secondarySlider3 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-3', {\n        fixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n        focus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n        cover:true,isNavigation:true,\n        breakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n    } ).mount();\n    var primarySlider3 = new Splide( '#splide-major-3', {\n        type:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n    } );\n    primarySlider3.sync( secondarySlider3 ).mount();\n    var secondarySlider4 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-4', {\n        fixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n        focus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n        cover:true,isNavigation:true,\n        breakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n    } ).mount();\n    var primarySlider4 = new Splide( '#splide-major-4', {\n        type:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n    } );\n    primarySlider4.sync( secondarySlider4 ).mount();\n    var secondarySlider5 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-5', {\n        fixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n        focus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n        cover:true,isNavigation:true,\n        breakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n    } ).mount();\n    var primarySlider5 = new Splide( '#splide-major-5', {\n        type:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n    } );\n    primarySlider5.sync( secondarySlider5 ).mount();\n    var secondarySlider6 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-6', {\n        fixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n        focus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n        cover:true,isNavigation:true,\n        breakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n    } ).mount();\n    var primarySlider6 = new Splide( '#splide-major-6', {\n        type:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n    } );\n    primarySlider6.sync( secondarySlider6 ).mount();\n} );\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p>After almost two years of COVID restrictions, things were getting back to normal and I attended an in-person conference in Chicago in March 2022. Since my employer reimbursed the southwest credit that I got back in 2020, I was confined to fly Southwest, which happened to be providing a decent number of flights between the three airports of Washington DC and Chicago Midway.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Flight_WN2026_from_Washington_Reagan_to_Chicago_Midway\">Flight WN2026 from Washington Reagan to Chicago Midway<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>After 11 previous departures from Washington Reagan National Airport, this was the first time I would be departing from the 9-gate terminal A, which was connected to the rest of the airport and the metro station via a long indoor passage. There was a small exhibition area (p1-2 below) that would to some degree, make the walk less boring.<br \/>\nThere were worker shortages across all sorts of jobs in the United States in early 2022, and Southwest\u2019s deficiencies were in full display as I arrived at its checkin area with ridiculously long lines (p3), luckily there\u2019s no wait at the nearby bag drop counter, nor was the security checkpoint.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220313_124504.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220313_124504.jpg\" width=\"90%\" alt=\"Gallery\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gallery<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Along the walkway connecting Terminal A to the more modern Terminal B\/C where metro station was located.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220313_124512.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220313_124512.jpg\" width=\"90%\" alt=\"Gallery\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gallery<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Along the walkway connecting Terminal A to the more modern Terminal B\/C where metro station was located.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220313_125149.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220313_125149.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Lines at Southwest Counter\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lines at Southwest Counter<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">The lines before the full service counter were unacceptably long, yet there weren\u2019t any lines at the nearby \u201cbag drop\u201d counter. It\u2019s very puzzling that so many people would require \u201cfull service\u201d.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220313_130755.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220313_130755.jpg\" width=\"90%\" alt=\"Terminal A Interior\" \/><\/a><\/br>Terminal A Interior<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Not a very spacious terminal, seating was very limited. This bar at the center of the terminal was the only dining facility.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010969.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010969.jpg\" alt=\"Southwest B737 (N236WN)\" \/><\/a><\/br>Southwest B737 (N236WN)<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Arrived at the gate slightly delayed, because, as expected, the previous plane couldn\u2019t depart on time.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220313_141058.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220313_141058.jpg\" width=\"80%\" alt=\"Refueling\" \/><\/a><\/br>Refueling<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">After everyone was properly boarded, this fuel truck arrived and topped up the fuel tanks. It seemed weird as refueling should have happened long ago, instead of keeping passengers waiting. Maybe a change in routing would require additional fuel, or maybe this was another sign of Southwest\u2019s operational woes.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20220313_124504.jpg\" alt=\"Gallery\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20220313_124512.jpg\" alt=\"Gallery\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20220313_125149.jpg\" alt=\"Lines at Southwest Counter\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20220313_130755.jpg\" alt=\"Terminal A Interior\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010969.jpg\" alt=\"Southwest B737 (N236WN)\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20220313_141058.jpg\" alt=\"Refueling\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-1, #splide-thumb-1 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220313_124504.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220313_124504.jpg\" alt=\"Gallery\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220313_124512.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220313_124512.jpg\" alt=\"Gallery\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gallery<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Along the walkway connecting Terminal A to the more modern Terminal B\/C where metro station was located.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220313_125149.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220313_125149.jpg\" alt=\"Lines at Southwest Counter\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lines at Southwest Counter<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">The lines before the full service counter were unacceptably long, yet there weren\u2019t any lines at the nearby \u201cbag drop\u201d counter. It\u2019s very puzzling that so many people would require \u201cfull service\u201d.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220313_130755.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220313_130755.jpg\" alt=\"Terminal A Interior\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Terminal A Interior<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Not a very spacious terminal, seating was very limited. This bar at the center of the terminal was the only dining facility.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010969.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010969.jpg\" alt=\"Southwest B737 (N236WN)\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Southwest B737 (N236WN)<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Arrived at the gate slightly delayed, because, as expected, the previous plane couldn\u2019t depart on time.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220313_141058.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220313_141058.jpg\" alt=\"Refueling\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Refueling<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">After everyone was properly boarded, this fuel truck arrived and topped up the fuel tanks. It seemed weird as refueling should have happened long ago, instead of keeping passengers waiting. Maybe a change in routing would require additional fuel, or maybe this was another sign of Southwest\u2019s operational woes.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Southwest called itself a \u201clow-cost airline\u201d despite it being the most generous when it comes to change policies and baggage fees. However, it shared some unwelcoming traits with the other ULCC\u2019s in the United States (namely Frontier and Spirit), that it pushed unrealistically short turnaround schedules at airports with the minimal number of leased gates. As a result, any operational hiccup would cascade through its schedule, as the previous plane at the gate, WN647 to St Louis (N7725A), departed 30 minutes late. Because of that, my plane to Chicago (N236WN) had to wait at the ramp. And from my limited experience flying Southwest, that\u2019s regrettably not unexpected.<br \/>\nThen I scouted around, Reagan Airport\u2019s terminal A was a roundhouse with 9 gates that\u2019s not too spacious. A shortage of janitors meant trash was very visible all around. Adding to that, there was certainly a shortage of charging ports around.<br \/>\nWhen it\u2019s finally boarding time, the gate agents announced a full flight to Chicago (so as to encourage people to gate check bags), it ended up with a few empty seats, and I wasn\u2019t a fan of lies.<br \/>\nThen I got onboard to find the seatback storage wasn\u2019t properly cleaned, adding to the day\u2019s dismay.<\/p>\n<p>Southwest Airlines 2026<br \/>\nWashington Reagan (DCA) \u2013 Chicago Midway, IL (MDW)<br \/>\nBoeing B737-700 (N236WN)<br \/>\nScheduled Departure &#8211; 2:00pm<br \/>\nActual Departure    &#8211; 2:32pm<br \/>\nScheduled Arrival   &#8211; 3:05pm<br \/>\nActual Arrival      &#8211; 3:15pm<br \/>\n1 hour and 43 minutes<br \/>\nHere&#8217;s GPS tracking:<\/p>\n<div style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:3\/2;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=103177918&#038;measures=off&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>And here&#8217;s a video of the takeoff:<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QoChr6E-oUw\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>After a snowstorm a few days ago, weather was great around Washington DC, so I got a tour of northern Virginia\u2019s suburbs and mountains through the departure. While snow had mostly melted in Washington DC, slightly to the west Dulles Airport was much covered in snow.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010971Q9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010971Q9.jpg\" alt=\"Looking back at Reagan Airport\" \/><\/a><\/br>Looking back at Reagan Airport<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010973.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010973.jpg\" alt=\"Dulles Airport\" \/><\/a><\/br>Dulles Airport<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010974.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010974.jpg\" width=\"94%\" alt=\"Shenandoah River\" \/><\/a><\/br>Shenandoah River<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Appalachian Trail passed through the mountains in the right, separating Virginia from West Virginia.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010975.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010975.jpg\" alt=\"Winchester, Virginia\" \/><\/a><\/br>Winchester, Virginia<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010976.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010976.jpg\" width=\"97%\" alt=\"Great North Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Great North Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Tuscarora Trail passed through these mountains, again separating Virginia from West Virginia.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010971Q9.jpg\" alt=\"Looking back at Reagan Airport\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010973.jpg\" alt=\"Dulles Airport\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010974.jpg\" alt=\"Shenandoah River\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010975.jpg\" alt=\"Winchester, Virginia\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010976.jpg\" alt=\"Great North Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-2, #splide-thumb-2 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010971Q9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010971Q9.jpg\" alt=\"Looking back at Reagan Airport\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Looking back at Reagan Airport<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010973.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010973.jpg\" alt=\"Dulles Airport\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Dulles Airport<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010974.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010974.jpg\" alt=\"Shenandoah River\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Shenandoah River<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Appalachian Trail passed through the mountains in the right, separating Virginia from West Virginia.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010975.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010975.jpg\" alt=\"Winchester, Virginia\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Winchester, Virginia<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010976.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010976.jpg\" alt=\"Great North Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Great North Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Tuscarora Trail passed through these mountains, again separating Virginia from West Virginia.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Then we were onto the plains of Ohio.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220313_151312_HDR.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220313_151312_HDR.jpg\" width=\"90%\" alt=\"Allegheny Plateau\" \/><\/a><\/br>Allegheny Plateau<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010977.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010977.jpg\" width=\"95%\" alt=\"Alum Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Alum Creek<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Just outside Columbus, Ohio.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010978.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010978.jpg\" width=\"95%\" alt=\"Delaware, Ohio\" \/><\/a><\/br>Delaware, Ohio<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Just outside Columbus, Ohio.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010979.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010979.jpg\" alt=\"Lima, Ohio\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lima, Ohio<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010980.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010980.jpg\" alt=\"Van Wert, Ohio\" \/><\/a><\/br>Van Wert, Ohio<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\">\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;\">\n<tr style=\"border: none;\">\n<td width=\"62.2%\" style=\"border: none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220313_155521.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220313_155521.jpg\" alt=\"South Bend and Elkhart, Indiana\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"35%\" style=\"border: none;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010983.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-m\/P1010983.jpg\" alt=\"South Bend, Indiana\" \/><\/a><\/br><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010982.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-m\/P1010982.jpg\" alt=\"Elkhart, Indiana\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>South Bend and Elkhart, Indiana<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220313_155903.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220313_155903.jpg\" width=\"90%\" alt=\"LaPorte, Indiana\" \/><\/a><\/br>LaPorte, Indiana<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010984.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010984.jpg\" alt=\"Shores of Lake Michigan\" \/><\/a><\/br>Shores of Lake Michigan<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010985.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010985.jpg\" width=\"97%\" alt=\"Port of Burns Harbor\" \/><\/a><\/br>Port of Burns Harbor<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">In addition to being a port, it\u2019s also housed a steel factory. Yet from above, it looked pretty deserted.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20220313_151312_HDR.jpg\" alt=\"Allegheny Plateau\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010977.jpg\" alt=\"Alum Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010978.jpg\" alt=\"Delaware, Ohio\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010979.jpg\" alt=\"Lima, Ohio\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010980.jpg\" alt=\"Van Wert, Ohio\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20220313_155521.jpg\" alt=\"South Bend and Elkhart, Indiana\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20220313_155903.jpg\" alt=\"LaPorte, Indiana\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010984.jpg\" alt=\"Shores of Lake Michigan\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010985.jpg\" alt=\"Port of Burns Harbor\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-3, #splide-thumb-3 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220313_151312_HDR.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220313_151312_HDR.jpg\" alt=\"Allegheny Plateau\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Allegheny Plateau<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010977.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010977.jpg\" alt=\"Alum Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Alum Creek<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Just outside Columbus, Ohio.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010978.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010978.jpg\" alt=\"Delaware, Ohio\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Delaware, Ohio<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Just outside Columbus, Ohio.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010979.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010979.jpg\" alt=\"Lima, Ohio\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lima, Ohio<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010980.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010980.jpg\" alt=\"Van Wert, Ohio\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Van Wert, Ohio<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010983.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-m\/P1010983.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"South Bend, Indiana\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010982.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-m\/P1010982.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Elkhart, Indiana\" \/><\/a><\/br><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220313_155521.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220313_155521.jpg\" alt=\"South Bend and Elkhart, Indiana\" \/><\/a><\/br>South Bend and Elkhart, Indiana<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220313_155903.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220313_155903.jpg\" alt=\"LaPorte, Indiana\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>LaPorte, Indiana<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010984.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010984.jpg\" alt=\"Shores of Lake Michigan\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Shores of Lake Michigan<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010985.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010985.jpg\" alt=\"Port of Burns Harbor\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Port of Burns Harbor<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">In addition to being a port, it\u2019s also housed a steel factory. Yet from above, it looked pretty deserted.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>We were to land on runway 22L, that meant during approach we flew just south of I55\/Stevenson Expressway at a relatively low elevation. I was sitting on the right side of the plane and treated with vantage views of Chicago\u2019s skyline.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010986.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010986.jpg\" alt=\"Chicago Waterfront\" \/><\/a><\/br>Chicago Waterfront<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010988.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010988.jpg\" alt=\"Downtown Chicago\" \/><\/a><\/br>Downtown Chicago<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010989.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010989.jpg\" alt=\"Downtown Chicago\" \/><\/a><\/br>Downtown Chicago<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010991.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010991.jpg\" alt=\"Downtown Chicago\" \/><\/a><\/br>Downtown Chicago<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010994.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010994.jpg\" alt=\"Downtown Chicago\" \/><\/a><\/br>Downtown Chicago<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010986.jpg\" alt=\"Chicago Waterfront\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010988.jpg\" alt=\"Downtown Chicago\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010989.jpg\" alt=\"Downtown Chicago\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010991.jpg\" alt=\"Downtown Chicago\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1010994.jpg\" alt=\"Downtown Chicago\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-4, #splide-thumb-4 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010986.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010986.jpg\" alt=\"Chicago Waterfront\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Chicago Waterfront<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010988.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010988.jpg\" alt=\"Downtown Chicago\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>D<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010989.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010989.jpg\" alt=\"Downtown Chicago\" \/><\/a><\/br>Downtown Chicago<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010991.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010991.jpg\" alt=\"Downtown Chicago\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Downtown Chicago<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1010994.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1010994.jpg\" alt=\"Downtown Chicago\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Downtown Chicago<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>And here&#8217;s a video recording of the landing:<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zIe44spG37o\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Finally, Southwest\u2019s ground crew at Chicago Midway brought some redemption, as I got my checked bag approximately 18 minutes after our arrival at the gate. Compared with its peers, that&#8217;s certainly a great time given the labor shortage in 2022.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Flight_WN946_from_Chicago_Midway_to_Washington_Reagan\">Flight WN946 from Chicago Midway to Washington Reagan<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Fast forward to the return trip, it&#8217;s a rainy afternoon as I arrived at Chicago Midway Airport. This time, the checkin area felt great, but there was some wait at the security checkpoint.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220318_171119.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220318_171119.jpg\" width=\"94%\" alt=\"Checkin Area\" \/><\/a><\/br>Checkin Area<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">With Southwest\u2019s commanding presence in Chicago Midway.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220318_171225.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220318_171225.jpg\" width=\"59%\" alt=\"Art\" \/><\/a><\/br>Art<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1020008.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1020008.jpg\" alt=\"Gate A4\" \/><\/a><\/br>Gate A4<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">My plane would be boarding from this semi-circular building which was located at the far end of the terminal.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20220318_171119.jpg\" alt=\"Checkin Area\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20220318_171225.jpg\" alt=\"Art\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1020008.jpg\" alt=\"Gate A4\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-5, #splide-thumb-5 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220318_171119.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220318_171119.jpg\" alt=\"Checkin Area\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Checkin Area<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">With Southwest\u2019s commanding presence in Chicago Midway.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220318_171225.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220318_171225.jpg\" alt=\"Art\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Art<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1020008.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1020008.jpg\" alt=\"Gate A4\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Gate A4<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">My plane would be boarding from this semi-circular building which was located at the far end of the terminal.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>This time, I forgot to check in 24 hours before departure. I did it in T-22 hours and ended up seated at the last row of the plane (but not in a middle seat).<br \/>\nIt\u2019s one of the last flights of the day, and judging by the fact that we were only late by half an hour, it\u2019s almost a miracle on Southwest\u2019s scheduling.<\/p>\n<p>Southwest Airlines 946<br \/>\nChicago Midway, IL (MDW) &#8211; Washington Reagan (DCA)<br \/>\nBoeing B737-700 (N946WN)<br \/>\nScheduled Departure &#8211; 7:15pm<br \/>\nActual Departure    &#8211; 7:57pm<br \/>\nScheduled Arrival   &#8211; 9:55pm<br \/>\nActual Arrival      &#8211; 10:20pm<br \/>\n1 hour and 23 minutes<br \/>\nHere&#8217;s GPS tracking:<\/p>\n<div style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:3\/2;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=103177954&#038;measures=off&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>It rained throughout the day in Chicago, and the weather system created some bumps between Lake Michigan and South Bend.<br \/>\nThe clouds didn\u2019t clear until we were over Morgantown, WV.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1020012.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1020012.jpg\" width=\"95%\" alt=\"Morgantown, West Virginia\" \/><\/a><\/br>Morgantown, West Virginia<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1020016.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1020016.jpg\" width=\"95%\" alt=\"Morgantown, West Virginia\" \/><\/a><\/br>Morgantown, West Virginia<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220318_210837.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220318_210837.jpg\" width=\"86%\" alt=\"Flying past Dulles Airport\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flying past Dulles Airport<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220318_211156.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220318_211156.jpg\" width=\"83%\" alt=\"Reston, Virginia\" \/><\/a><\/br>Reston, Virginia<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Developed areas along Dulles Greenway.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220318_211854.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220318_211854.jpg\" alt=\"John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts\" \/><\/a><\/br>John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220318_211922.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220318_211922.jpg\" alt=\"Washington Monument\" \/><\/a><\/br>Washington Monument<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1020012.jpg\" alt=\"Morgantown, West Virginia\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/P1020016.jpg\" alt=\"Morgantown, West Virginia\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20220318_210837.jpg\" alt=\"Flying past Dulles Airport\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20220318_211156.jpg\" alt=\"Reston, Virginia\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20220318_211854.jpg\" alt=\"John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20220318_211922.jpg\" alt=\"Washington Monument\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-6, #splide-thumb-6 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1020012.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1020012.jpg\" alt=\"Morgantown, West Virginia\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/P1020016.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/P1020016.jpg\" alt=\"Morgantown, West Virginia\" \/><\/a><\/br>Morgantown, West Virginia<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220318_210837.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220318_210837.jpg\" alt=\"Flying past Dulles Airport\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flying past Dulles Airport<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220318_211156.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220318_211156.jpg\" alt=\"Reston, Virginia\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Reston, Virginia<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Developed areas along Dulles Greenway.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220318_211854.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220318_211854.jpg\" alt=\"John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/IMG_20220318_211922.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220318_211922.jpg\" alt=\"Washington Monument\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Washington Monument<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After flying past Dulles Airport, we made a turn north and started River Visual Approach. I had flown that approach for a few times and the excitement certainly wore off, so I should conclude this post with the following video:<\/p>\n<p><video controls width=\"600\" poster=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/thumbnails\/IMG_20220318_211916.jpg\" preload=\"none\"><source src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/WN946_River_Visual_4k30_H265_4Mbps.mp4\"><source src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2022\/03\/wn\/WN946_River_Visual_4k30_H264_4.5Mbps.mp4\"><\/video><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">4 minutes, 2160p30fps, 4Mbps\/125MB for H265, 4.5Mbps\/124MB for H264.<\/span><br \/>\nEND<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>March 2022, I flew to Chicago for some conference, as the first business trip I took in over 2 years from COVID.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,2],"tags":[536],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6487"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6487"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6487\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7544,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6487\/revisions\/7544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}