Why not use Gary?

[illinipilot]

For someone with low time and little information about the area, why don't airlines and passengers who are worried about over crowding at the other CHI airports utilize GYY as a reliever airport?

 

[jumppilot]

"In the ghetto...."

 

[brew3departure]

I thought this too...

...until you consider a few things.

The post above says it all, really, but then again, often airports are not in the best neighborhoods.

And yes, there is public trans. via the Chicago/South Shore railroad, but the main way to get places for most people is probably by car. And if you've ever driven I-80/65 or I-80/90 near the IL/IN border, you know it's miserable -- more truck traffic than anywhere else I've seen, and one direction is crowded 24/7. That's reason enough for me to stay far away from Gary.

Pan Am tried it, not sure if they still fly there...it's too bad really - the one that should be utilized, IMHO, if people are willing to drive to Peotone and back is Rockford - RFD - almost the same distance as Peotone, a little further -- but the interstate and all the infrastructure is already there. Rockford is an absolute ghost airport, sans a few practice approaches and corporate traffic until 10:30pm when the UPS aircraft start arriving.

Take care,
-brew3

 

[demo]

"In the ghetto...."

Actually, it's not. It's surrounded by industrial businesses and vacant land.

Current construction on the Skyway does make driving to GYY from downtown painful right now, but that won't last forever. And once you get to Cline it's smooth sailing. Also, the NICTD is considering a South Shore stop right at the terminal.

 

[pavelump]

I think that if Illinois could annex that part of Indiana, they might do it, but Daley and Blagojevich don't want to go throwing money into Indiana...

The runway (12/30) is plenty long, actually longer than Midway's longest runway.

Dave

 

[TWA Dude]

I think that if Illinois could annex that part of Indiana, they might do it, but Daley and Blagojevich don't want to go throwing money into Indiana...

That truly is the bottom line. Everyone knows about Cincinatti and their airport so it won't happen again.

Also, GYY would need some serious upgrades to the transportation situation. The city of Gary has like just one taxicab and if you're not standing right there when he arrives he'll drive off. This is exactly what happened to my pax when I flew a charter into there. Luckily the friendly FBO let me take the crew car into town to pick up my stranded pax.

 

[brew3departure]

Daley...

Interesting point about annexing that part of Indiana - but try this one on for size. The name of the Gary Airport is the "Gary/Chicago Regional Airport" - and Daley created an airport authority of the same name...several City of Chicago airport vehicles were sent to Gary and a whole bunch of tax $$$ was funneled to Gary through that "Airport Authority."

I think Daley's done some good for our city, but after the Meigs fiasco, I don't really consider any of his interactions with aviation relevant.

Take care,
-brew3

 

[CitationLover]

surrounded by industry and vacant lands

what industry? empty steel mills and casinos?

they should build an airport like that japanese one. find a huge sandbar and build it on lake michigan.

 

[T-REX]

Meigs was a huge sandbar! I flew into Gary a year ago in a 182 and was treated like I was in a jet. No landing or handling fees and gas was about $1 cheaper than the alternatives.
GO CUBS!

 

[SpiderMan]

Actually miegs was construced from landfill from the chicago fire.