Chicago International Airport

THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF OâHARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Wouldn't you be shocked in disbelief if somebody told you that "71 million people have descended on Chicago!" Most listeners would. During the last year, 71 million passengers passed through the 4 terminals of O'Hare International Airport which is equal to the entire population of France and the Netherlands. The passengers were travelling to Chicago or just switched planes to reach other destinations around the world.

Among the visitors from around the world arriving at Chicago O'Hare International Airport,

is Sigi Wosnitza from Dortmund, Germany.

OâHare is truly a gateway to the world. Chicago maintains a “Sister City” program with 40 cities on 5 continents. President Kennedy called OâHare “One of the wonders of the modern world” and that was in the days when OâHare was much smaller than it is today. The City Counsel of Chicago honored President Kennedy by re-naming the highway that connects OâHare to downtown Chicago “The Kennedy Expressway”.

OâHare International Airport was named after a young World War II Navy fighter pilot named Edward “ Butch” OâHare. By downing six Japanese torpedo planes, he turned the outcome of a critical Pacific battle. For his gallantry, he paid with his life. A thankful nation bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor on him. This congressional Medal of honor as well a replica of the fighter plane he flew is exhibited in terminal 2 of OâHare International Airport.

When OâHare was first built, it did not have a name. The airport was originally a classified military installation during World War II. On military maps, the airfield was referred to as “ORCHARD FIELD”. It was also the home base for lieutenant OâHareâs air squadron and was the largest storage facility of poison gas for warfare.


	THE LOMBARD LAMP - A GIFT FROM THE SISTER CITY HAMBURG, GERMANY TO CHICAGO, USA


	The Lombard Lamp is located at the intersections of Western, Lawrence and Lincoln Avenues, on Chicago's North side.


	Believe it or not, OâHare International Airport still carries the old secret name. The name designation for OâHare is known throughout the world as “ORD” which you can see on your baggage claim checks. Only a few people are aware of where the “ORD” designation came from.

Stepping in or walking out of the terminals, visitors confront a half- mile stretch of 50 flagpoles that represent the countries of nearly 50 airlines that OâHare is connected with. It is a most impressive view

The hoisting of the flags, according to the supervisor of building and grounds has a very serious ceremony. It is a two-man job. It is standard procedure that while the first person attaches the flag to the rope, the second person will check the proper position of the colors against a pictorial image. This is the result of a very embarrassing occasion when visiting foreign dignitaries found their countryâs flag displayed with the colors up side down. The incident occurred during a national sports event between Canada and the USA. A very proud Marine carried the Canadian flag with the Maple Leaf up side down into the stadium. I donât think we would appreciate it very much if somebody else would display our star-spangled banner with its stars located on the bottom of the flag.

Why is OâHare International Airport so unique? It not only holds the world record for travelers passing through, but airplanes take-off or land every 90 seconds. The airport has over one thousand food and concession stands. Best of all, and this is a subject nobody really wants to talk about, are the bathroom facilities. The association of international travel agents has named OâHare as having the cleanest bathrooms of the worldâs busiest airports. Over 50,000 toilet seat dressings that automatically change after being used are free of charge. It is also one of the very few airports in the country which is directly connected to a major downtown area. It costs $2,00 to reach Chicago safe and fast in 28 minutes on the Metro Blue line.

OâHare is designed to function in the worst type of snowfall. It is the only airport in the world possessing two sets of snowplow combination units unmatched by anyone else. Each set of a snowplow combination unit consists of five plows, each one carries a price tag of over a million dollars. Five snowplows (these are 5 million Dollars) in a staggered line can clear a 2.8-mile runway in less than 10 minutes.


	Ms. Nelli Stefanski, Assistant to the Commissioner Chicago Department of Aviation, O'Hare Airport, stands in Terminal 5 overlooking a field of empty flag poles. Only three flags fly at half-mast for thirty days, in honor of hurricane Katrina victims. The flag of the United States of America, the flag of the State of Illinois and the flag of the City of Chicago.

Regrettably, to all these upbeat records, there is a sorrow note to be added. The single greatest air catastrophe in US history occurred (May 27, 1979) at OâHare. A DC-10 loaded with 360 Passengers crashed during take-off and here were no survivors. The cause leading to the crash was an $11.86 missing shot peening manufacturing process on one of the six bolts, holding a jet engine assembly.

Summarizing the pro and cons, the future of Chicagoâs OâHare international airport is being painted in rosy colors. There is a constant expansion and modernization project in progress all the time. An additional runway is being added. The city attracts conventions and international shows. As long as this happens, the Windy City will welcome about 75 million visitors to OâHare this year.




			*THE* *CHICAGO* *WHITE SOX* 2005 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS


	Finally, a new page has been written in the history book of Chicago. After 88 years the White Sox brought home the trophy. The trophy is shown here at O'Hare International Airport, en route to the White House.


	President George W. Bush congratulates the 2005 World Series Champions, the Chicago White Sox, at a White House reception.


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