"REAL" March Madness

In preparation for SPRING BREAK 2009, we would like to review the highlights of our March 2nd newsletter- with all it's dire warnings.

1) PREPARE! There is NO SUBSTITUTE for being prepared. Regardless of what you have heard in the media, SPRING BREAK represents the single most chaotic time of the year as far as ground transportation (in and around O'Hare & Midway airports) is concerned. Expect traffic delays and long lines just about everywhere!

2) A majority of the schools in our area begin SPRING BREAK on March 30th. However, most travelers will be gone by then. Traditionally, the "exodus" begins as early as the Wednesday before, and it would seem that the biggest "getaway day" is Thursday prior, with Saturday and Sunday mornings being busy as well. By the actual first day of Spring Break, things will already have quieted down - until the returns begin on Friday. THIS YEAR'S DATES TO
REMEMBER: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 - THURSDAY, MARCH 26 - FRIDAY, MARCH 27 - SATURDAY, MARCH 28 - SUNDAY, MARCH 29 - FRIDAY, APRIL 3 - SATURDAY, APRIL 4
- SUNDAY, APRIL 5.

3) Leave extra time. Vacations are for relieving stress. Why start one off by piling additional stress on your already over-burdened shoulders? Leave yourself enough time to compensate for unusually heavy traffic, construction delays, weather, slow sky caps, etc.

4) Reserve your transportation NOW! If you haven't done so already, book your ride. Every year, ground transportation providers book up well in advance of spring break. This is especially true when it comes to bigger vehicles like SUV's, vans and limousines, which typically book up first because of the extra room or luggage capacity. Each year, we receive last ditch phone calls from people who are unable to find transportation during peak periods, and while we'll do our best to help, we DO book up early.

5) There is a misconception among a few of our regular clients that O'Hare-Midway puts Spring Break travelers ahead of it's regular customers at this time of year. In actuality, most of our Spring Break travelers ARE our regular clients. Our corporate clientele are the foundation of the retail segment of our business.

6) Expect delays. Weather, construction, and the volume of travelers will have a negative effect on the airports, and there is no magic formula to change it. In an evaluation of circulation times through O'Hare Airport during peak periods last spring, drop offs took about 15 minutes longer than normal. Pickups at the lower level - again during peak periods - took an average of 30 minutes longer, with maximum waits in excess of an hour or more.

7) Be patient. Travelers should know what to expect, and understand that ground transportation companies are not deliberately trying to make them miserable. In our 50 (+) years of business, O'Hare-Midway has taken pride in our service and commitment to our customers, and we do our best to prepare our staff and chauffeurs when major travel dates are approaching.

In conclusion, we would like to wish everyone who travels during Spring Break 2009 a safe and happy journey. We look forward to serving you on your return!