<p>Friend’s S in stranded at Laguardia. Flight cancelled and the earliest he can be rebooked for is Mon. He is renting a car and driving. Friend would rather S not be alone. He is a student at West Point. Anyone know someone stranded at Laguardia who would like to drive west to Chicago?</p>
<p>This time last year my son was also stranded and the airline told him they couldn’t fly him home for several days. After several phone calls to India, we got him home that night. Be persistent.</p>
<p>What about flying from JFK, Newark, Philly, etc. instead? Has he checked out that possibility?</p>
<p>It’s also possible to take Amtrak from New York to Washington, DC, and then fly from Washington to Chicago. There are seats available tomorrow on both routes.</p>
<p>But this would not be cheap.</p>
<p>Actually it’s cheap to train it from NY to Chicago in coach. and there is no ice in coach. It’s still a 12 to 14 hour drive. </p>
<p>Go over to Islip(long island) and take Southwest to Midway Chicago SW has non stop flights so they dont get behind so much in delays.</p>
<p>Amtrak is fully booked for the next few days from NY to Chicago. That’s why I suggested going through DC.</p>
<p>Ths for all your suggestions. He rented a car and hit the road. Thirteen hour drive.</p>
<p>Hope he makes it safely with no snow en route.</p>
<p>
Not a good idea. It also might be much longer than a 13 hour drive given the snow.</p>
<p>he should be wearing his uniform. A small placard 8 x11 with “Chicago”.</p>
<p>We make the drive from eastern PA (Allentown) to the northern Chicago suburbs all the time; in fact, I was making it exactly a week ago tonight, and will be making it again in three weeks (ugh - I can’t believe I just realized that) It’s straight interstate all the way,(770 miles for us) but fairly rural in most of PA. It’s usually about an 11-hour drive, including a few very brief stops. </p>
<p>He’ll also need some $$ for the tolls; every state you go through has them; I’d say one-way, it’ll cost him around $20.</p>
<p>I’d definitely say the leg through PA is the scariest if the weather isn’t good. We hit a few snow squalls last week, and with the mountains, curves, you definitely have to be on top of your driving game.</p>
<p>With the weather today, this is not really an advisable option.</p>
<p>At least the gas is cheap!</p>
<p>We should keep him in our prayers.</p>
<p>**Driving from Laguardia to O’Hare
**</p>
<p>(thru a present winter storm and with 2 more storms predicted over the next several days)</p>
<p>Now that’s just got to be funniest thread title in CC history.</p>
<p>I’ve done the drive … Hartford to Chicago in 1978 in a March storm, Chicago to Hartford in May 1982. Between, I used the airplane! I have also taken the train from Chitown to Philly. </p>
<p>I would look for all other available options to fly into ORD, such as HPN, BDL, even BOS.</p>
<p>Friend’s S arrived home safe and sound. Trip with stopping at a motel for some shut eye took 20 hrs. Thank you all for your advice and prayers. Just to be clear, no one thought it was a good idea to drive. Offered the suggestions from here to put on uniform and be persistent. But you know how it goes with a 21 yr old man/child. Happy holidays to all!</p>
<p>Thanks for the update. Glad he arrived safely. 
Expect a few more posts advising against the drive, recommending the train, alternate routes, etc… lol</p>