Where is YWG?

haha. It's Winnipeg, Manitoba.

In going to venture this was not today as the only YWG flight from ORD today left from C3, although at the time of OP's post, it was just prior to boarding time for that flight.

Of course if it was I. Terminal 2 on a previous day, I'm guessing the OP didn't use the club, as it's as modern as they come.

Been to DEN or SEA lately?

It sounds like the OP has flown a lot of international, where terminals are light-years ahead of US airports, or through DEN, which is relatively new. United's terminal at ORD IS actually quite old and outdated. Small gate areas, few places to sit (other than the small, crowded gate areas), food selection pretty dismal.

If UA is in Chicago for the long haul, they should look at building their own terminal somewhere on the airport property, including adding international arrivals and immigration/customs areas. It would be an investment worth making.

They did build their own Terminal. It's called Terminal 1.

They have outgrown it and have spilled over into Terminal 2. I believe they will eventually take over most or all of T2 as well.

As far a immigration, I think if it were a possibility UA would have already done it. My guess is it has more to do with CBP than UA.

Airports, Chicago. Oh what a tangled web we weave. Airports here are ALWAYS full of controversy and problems funding. O'Hare/Midway and the failed Peotone airport. We support two airports here not just one like most cities. Changing anything takes years of arguing. Just changing and updating our runways was 10 years in the making. Unlike many airports, O'Hare is surrounded by middle class and a few upper middle class neighborhoods and suburbs. Any change that might hint at an increase in traffic comes with overwhelming opposition and most often court cases with suburbs suing the city.

Funding for the airport ... not that easy.

I take it that you don't spend much time in the USA. :) With few exceptions we don't do big infrastructure projects well, and we don't have an airport like YVR, let alone some of the Asian airports (SEA probably comes closest to YVR, and IMHO is overall the best major US airport).

Part of it is that most of the airports were built in the 70s-80s when construction standards were much lower, and people spend less time in them.

of UAL hubs, SFO is IMHO by far the nicest. Big, open International Terminal (G) and an amazing new Terminal E (domestic). And the F terminal is big and open with lots of light, one of the best of the 80s terminals.

Denver is also big and open, but long walks, its functional but utilitarian. Nothing particularly visually interesting, but probably second best.

But of the remaining, I would put ORD third. Its visually interesting with its open glass, and the B/C walkway is still interesting. If you came from PEK you came into Gates C, but with customs your arrival was a little different. And if you then went straight to Terminal 2 (gates E and F) I can understand you feelings. Yes the RJ terminal (where you likely flew out of) is a dump, its old and crowded.

But overall ORD (if you spend some time there in B/C gates) is better than LAX (old and dated), IAH (which other than the E gates is a total cramped dump, with some of the worst RJ gates around) or IAD or EWR which combines bad facilities with rude staff.

Denver is pretty nice. Good places to eat, open, bright, clean.

ORD isn't that bad. Yes it leaks a lot during rain, and yes E/F really are quite horrible (with poor seating and just that icky feel.) And there's a lack of seating in the entire airport.

But ORD probably has the best restrooms of any airport I've ever been to, they're generally impeccable, never smell of stale anything. The bubblers have the water bottle fill stations on them. Once you get out of F the food options aren't too terrible. And as big as it is, it really isn't too tough to get around in.
There really are much worse airports out there. I hate connecting in DTW, LGA is a dump, ATL is hot, overcrowded and a maze, MCO is well, Orlando. The only nice airports (outside of the smaller regional ones) that come to mind would be CLE, SLC, PDX and RDU. I don't think we need newer or hugely modern ones, but no torn cushions, and loads of outlets would be helpful.

As for Chicago airports, one cannot forget the cluster that was involved with the decommissioning of this beauty.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meigs_Field

EWR - A is just about my least favorite. At least there's a UC close by to avoid the chaos.

Only airport I've ever been to that has auto toilet seat covers ^

Try Cleveland. The United Main terminal (C?) was just dirty and disgusting - plus some of the Jetways weren't working when I flew in - we parked, baggage was unloaded, then we moved to a different gate so we could deplane. The satellite terminal (D?) is in better shape - but currently it's all commuter jets (which I was flying out on...)

J

At least they don't regularly use airstairs for mainline aircraft in the US as they do in Europe.

In this case, the airport is just a reflection of the city.

FRA is the first one I remember.

...and if you have to get there or leave, very far fr:rolleyes:m any and everything else.