I traveled to Chicago the other day and as my flight was landing at Midway Airport, I looked out my window and saw the campaign plane of Senator Barack Obama, parked near one of the private hangars.  A crowd of people were gathered around the access stairs.

I call it “Air Force On The One,” and it was really cool to see.

I thought to myself, of course it’s parked here, because he’s from the South Side of Chicago — same place my father is from — which is where Midway is located.

On the return trip yesterday evening, my flight left the gate but was then held up on the tarmac, with its engines shut off, due to the fact that all New York City airports had been closed for an hour to allow the arrival of Air Force One, which I call “Air Force Um.”  Something about a United Nations visit.

So instead of getting home in time to tuck my kids in for the night, I arrived an hour after bed time.

I just roll with the flow, usually, and I did this time too.  But it occurred to me that Air Force Um will soon change it’s name back to its proper one and take on new passengers.

Here’s a cultural reference point, for anyone who got lost just now, or who wants to go old skool for a minute: