www.montereycountynow.com JUNE 4-10, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 19 shell-game of sorts for the flight attendants who would not be able to guess where I’d end up when it was time to put our tray tables and seat-backs into their upright and locked positions. Everything was going smoothly until we learned we were delayed for 10 minutes, then 30 minutes—not due to weather, not due to mechanical issues, but because the software on the plane hadn’t yet been updated to include Monterey as a destination. Then we took off and cruised for four hours. As we were descending, with 10 minutes to go before landing, the captain came over the PA to thank everyone for being on this “inauguration” flight from Chicago to Monterey. For a split second, my mind jumped forward to Jan. 20, 2029 and greener (hopefully) political pastures on our national stage. And yes, there are direct flights between ORD and Washington, D.C. While there was no fanfare leaving Chicago for this flight—or when I returned to O’Hare later that evening—passengers exiting onto the tarmac in Monterey walked through a colorful arch welcoming us with people cheering, press photographers snapping photos and a KSBW reporter grabbing Isaac from Portland for an interview; he made it onto their broadcast later that evening. All passengers were gifted United Airlines-branded golf Ts and a branded tote bag commemorating the flight filled with gifts like a large stuffed sea otter toy from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a “Monterey” baseball cap, a water bottle and a few brochures and stickers; truth be told, I took two giftfilled totes because I couldn’t come home with just one otter to a household with two children under age 6. Passengers on our flight were invited to the airport’s observation deck where dignitaries like Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson and U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, made remarks. Attendees were invited to Local notables joining the welcoming party at the airport included, from left, Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson, Pacific Grove Mayor Nick Smith, Carmel Mayor Dale Byrne, flight Captain Kyle Patton, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, Sand City Mayor Mary Ann Carbone and Seaside Mayor Ian Oglesby. Writer (and former Weekly intern) Gabriel Skvor arriving on the inaugural direct flight from ORD to MRY. Monterey airport officials hosted a party with Chicago-style finger foods and swag giveaways on the deck to welcome passengers arriving from ORD, including canine travelers.
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