Anyone fly into or out of ORD today? I just came in on UA7559 from ATL (where I received my first free upgrade!) and we had a crazy landing pattern, I assume because of the wind. We came in from the southeast like usual and then turned west, went by the airport, turned northwest, kept going and going and going -- well past Barrington. We probably went 30 miles past the airport before we turned around and landed to the southeast on 14R. We were being tossed around like a ragdoll!

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/TCF7559

In other breaking news:

Ice is cold, fire is hot.

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

Wind may have been the factor in that it determined which of the runways could/couldn't be used, but I think this extended leg was probably more for sequencing. I'm pretty sure that I was on flights where we flew this kind of pattern where winds were not as much of a factor.
For example, I remember a few where we landed on one of 9-27 runways and flew to ORD and then west for probably 10 minutes before turning back around (flying parallel to the final approach course).
All that said, some strong winds at ORD today - even more so now than 3 hours ago. 32 knots gusting to 43, now that's something. And low level turbulence. How was the ride coming in?

Would also like to warn the OP that O'Hare is snowy in the winter.

....

I've had that approach numerous times. It's usually used when there are strong winds blowing to the north west or during low visibility conditions. Once in a snow storm, we went 40 miles past the airport before turning base and final to join the ILS.

and i'll see your ord and raise you an sfo. had to take my bird feeder down as it was swinging almost to 45 degrees (and dumping bird food all over the place)

And it's dark at night.

Gosh - No mercy for the OP Came in on an RJ from SDF at 11 am today - we used 10 and it was pretty windy coming down. My next flight ORD-IAD on a 777 was rocking somewhat at the gate (C17 I think) while we waited for a mx to be fixed. On taxi, I heard on Ch 9 that somebody was cleared to taxi to 14L for takeoff - to which the pilot did an audible doubletake - the instruction was repeated - and the pilot said something like "Oh okay, not used to that one" - guess because it's a bit of a hike to get over there... Anyway, a bit more interesting than normal today.

And in other news ... I just spent an SWU to get confirmed in C on the ORD-SFO 744 next week. I am in 13K - been flying with UA for 10 years and this will be my first upper-deck 747 ride!!!!