Traveling Through Chicago’s O’Hare Airport: The Layover

Airports are about one thing, and one thing only: extracting money from passengers.

Chicago’s O’Hare airport is no different, it’s just that it’s (generally) dirtier, more expensive, and more crowded.

(And perpetually under construction. Seriously, I can’t remember a time I walked through a terminal at O’Hare without swaths of it being blocked off, barricaded, kept separate by a rope.)

There’s always a delicate balance between manned machines, and DIY, enter-your-credit-card machines.

You’d think a vending machine would give you a slight cut on price, since they’re not paying an employee any wages…

But you’d be wrong.

I’m generally a little… Not surprised; that’s the wrong word. Nothing surprises me anymore. Amused? Maybe?

I’m generally a little amused when I see something different in a vending machine, and this trip through the airport was no different.

Headphones?

Sure.

You forgot yours at home, and don’t want to use the painful freebies the airline gives you.

Aspirin/ibuprofen/acetaminophen?

Shit, the airlines should be handing that out like candy.

But… 

Lego?

Big, box sets?

Who is this for?

Are you supposed to make it on your layover, and then put it safely in the overhead bin?

Are there that many parents who forgot birthdays grabbing something last-minute while between flights?

Who is this for?

Seriously, how is this profitable?