Flying into Midway (MDW) - should I go IFR or VFR?

[AndreiC]

I am planning on flying to KMDW (Midway, Chicago) tomorrow for some business that takes me there for 3-4 hours in the middle of the day. The weather is supposed to be nice VFR. Last time I flew there (about a year ago) I went IFR, and the approach controllers took forever until they got me sequenced in, etc. Moreover, the departure was a mess, they had a hard time getting my clearance without a file plan filed by a professional airline flight planning department, etc.

So I am wondering if you guys would recommend just going VFR (with flight following) and hoping they let me quickly into the Bravo, or if that is bound to cause a lot of trouble (both with needing to have 10 pairs of eyes to look for the busy traffic around there, and potentially them keeping me a long time outside of the B). Or do you recommend that I go IFR, and just accept that I will be routed all around.

Opinions, comments?

[toto]

I normally use Dupage in Chicago, but my opinion would be to go VFR unless required by weather.

My experience is that they’ll get rid of you as quickly as they can, and you’re far less likely to get a crazy routing under VFR than IFR. Ymmv

 

[Paul Thomas]

No experience at MDW but I prefer to travel IFR, especially when going into bigger airports. I think it makes coming into their airspace easier, I get an automatic Bravo clearance, and I'm treated the same as GA VFR traffic once I report the field in sight but I never expect a tight pattern. They're used to bringing in big iron and seem keen on giving me a long final but want 150 knots till 5 mile out. I think a tight pattern would actually work best but that's not how things are done.

Leaving, since it's a short flight, I may just head south VFR and climb once outside the Bravo. I know you're going away from home but you'll be in control of your routing and get home just as fast. I always find it more difficult to leave from an airport under a Bravo than just about anywhere else. I've never had a flight plan issue but I tend have to wait for an IFR release. I've had to wait up to 30 minutes but ATC involved supervisors on their own to get me out after 15 mins or so. I don't like to be stuck down low but sometimes it's the way to go.

[201er]

IFR. If you don't like what they're giving you, you can always cancel and proceed VFR.

[exM20K]

34 minutes ago, 201er said:

IFR. If you don't like what they're giving you, you can always cancel and proceed VFR.

This… provided you’re not in the Bravo. VFR into Midway is no big deal.  Heck, there’s an active flight school on the field.

-dan

[bigmo]

My wife likes to fly up for shows in Chicago. I use KLOT. The uber is only 15 extra mins vice KMDW and it’s really easy logistics.

That being said, I’d file IFR and just cancel if you start getting dorked around. 

[hubcap]

Personally, I always fly IFR for the reasons mentioned by @Paul Thomas.

Leaving may be easier VFR but I would definitely file IFR inbound.