Originally Posted by
Austin787
Do I wish AA would leave ORD? No.
Do I wish to avoid connecting in ORD? Yes
If AA were to dehub ORD, they could reopen the STL hub or create a hub at United's former CLE hub.
Why not reopen the LUS hub at PIT if you're going to open something that close to PHL/DCA/LGA/JFK?
As far as using Gary or Rockford vs a new airport in Peotone, it would almost have to be a new airport since neither Gary nor Rockford has space to expand (Gary is constrained by active railroads and the Indiana Toll Road and Rockford is constrained by waterways). The Peotone airport is 20 - 30 years out, though, and would have to be paired with a high-speed rail line - driving to Peotone from the Loop takes 1.5 - 2 hours on a good day.