(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago aviation officials expect more travelers to pass through O'Hare and Midway airports this holiday weekend than at any time since the beginning of the pandemic.
Not every traveler heeded the advice to arrive early to have plenty of time to get through security lines.
Orly Bitton of the Near North Side was one of them.
"I got here a little later than expected," she said at Midway Airport.
Passengers who talked with WBBM Newsradio's Jim Gudas said they have mixed feelings about the risk of contracting COVID-19 with crowded terminals, long lines and full planes.
Mask mandate on display at Midway Airport.Jim Gudas
"The planes are actually cleaner than they've ever been," said Chicago's Alena Cloud, about to board a flight to Northern California. "And everyone's pretty compliant. I mean, you see the random people who have their mask below their nose, but we feel pretty safe overall."
Tony Johnson of the West Loop said he would feel safer flying, if more people were vaccinated.
