While the travel industry and the traveling public ostensibly share
many of the same goals -- both sides want to see people get where
they're going, set a spell, and then move on -- it is the
differences between the two groups that make this business fun.
Atlanta's Hartsfield International has bested perennial winner
O'Hare in the who-has-the-busiest-airport contest. Talk about your
double-edged swords. While the tourism community may see this as an
indicator of the Atlanta area's healthy economy, to travelers it's
tantamount to McDonalds bragging about having longer lines than
Burger King.
Even more ludicrous, people are actually feeling sorry for
Chicago over the loss. Hurried conversations conducted in hushed
tones decry Chicago's loss of status and express no small doubt
that the City of the Big Shoulders has indeed slumped.
There is some hope left, though, for that windy town. O'Hare
still leads the pack in terms of takeoffs and landings. So cheer
up, Chicago. Your airport may have shorter lines, but your airspace
is way more crowded than anybody else's. I wonder if there's a
greeting card for that.