'Possibly The Worst': Howard Dean Calls Out DIA
DENVER (CBS4)- Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean was one of the United Airlines passengers delayed at Denver International Airport on Thursday.
Dean took to twitter to vent his frustrations saying that "Denver is a beautiful airport and possibly the worst run in the US. 1/4 inch of snow and it has been chaos here all afternoon and evening."
Denver is a beautiful airport and possibly the worst run in the US. 1/4 inch snow and it has been chaos here all afternoon and evening
— Howard Dean (@GovHowardDean) November 18, 2016
Dozens of United Airlines flights both arriving and departing were delayed at DIA during the snow storm on Thursday because of issues with deicing crews. By Friday afternoon one-third of United flights were still delayed.
"I want to make sure I am in at a reasonable hour, because my family is going to pick me up. I don't want them out at all hours, or for everyone to be over concerned," said United passenger Marieclaire Moroney.
United told CBS4 that the delays in the past 24 hours were caused by the lack of availability of deicing crews. United said they contract out a third party company to handle deicing procedures.
The airline said the delays and cancellations were because of a lack of staffing and mechanical issues from the third-party company.
Passengers told CBS4 the delays were so significant that passengers on planes that landed at DIA were forced to sit aboard the planes until a gate became empty. Some passengers said they had to wait four to five hours on the tarmac.
Dean also tweeted that the captain on his plane said, "longest deicing in his career" at an hour and a half.
Captain reports " longest de icing in his career". So far an hour and a half. Flights delayed four to five hours so far.
— Howard Dean (@GovHowardDean) November 18, 2016
There was a backlog of some United Airlines flights that were delayed or canceled on Thursday into Friday.
Kemme Keen and her husband remained in Denver nearly 24 hours after their flight was supported to land in Tucson.
"Instead of leving at seven, it was supposed to leave at eight. Then at nine. Then at 10, it disappeared," said Keen.
The Keens normally use wheelchairs to get around but say they were forced to stand in line for help, "We stood in line for three hours."
The Keens couldn't get out of Denver on Thursday night and had to pay for a hotel room out of their own pocket.
"It was just a quirk that we were able to get a hotel because everything was booked," said Keen.