Snow Turns Ft. Lauderdale Airport Into Campground
MIAMI (CBS4) – Hundreds of travelers have found themselves with some extra time in South Florida after their flights home were canceled due to a snow storm blanketing much of the South and Northeast.
At Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport some people are finding ways to get comfortable as they wait, sometimes for days, for flights home.
"I'm flying out tomorrow. I was supposed to fly out yesterday, but because of the snow in Atlanta, I couldn't get on a flight," said Brett Neilson.
Because of the snow Neilson has been in Ft. Lauderdale three days longer than he originally had planned. To pass the time, he said he's been reading, playing cards with a new found friend Quinten Williams and sleeping on the floor.
"We went downtown last night," said Neilson. "Fort Lauderdale is a cool place to get stuck in I suppose."
Using luggage and some of the belongings, Imee Estiller and her husband created their own little 'love nest' in the airport. They've been camped out there since Monday and aren't scheduled to leave until Thursday night.
"This is our like first year wedding anniversary, we're celebrating here in Florida, so, it's ok," said Istiller.
Also patiently waiting for a flight home was a swim team from Syracuse, New York which had been in Ft. Lauderdale for their winter work out.
"We're definitely ready to go home, but the blizzard might prevent us from doing so," said Katie O'Donnell.
Along with passengers, more than two dozen jets from various airlines are also stuck in Ft. Lauderdale because their scheduled flights were cancelled because of the snow.
Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport spokesman Greg Myers said they had 75 flight cancellations Wednesday. Twenty-seven departures were canceled to airports in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Hartford, Philadelphia, Providence, Long Island, Newark, both New York City airports, Raleigh/Durham, and White Plains.
Myers also said 48 arriving flights have been canceled from airports in Atlanta, Atlantic City, Baltimore, Boston, Hartford, Long Island, Manchester, Newark, Newburgh, NY JFK, NY LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Richmond, and White Plains.
Nearly 80 flights in and out of Miami International Airport were also canceled Wednesday.
According to Miami International Airport spokesman Mark Henderson, 50 arriving flights and 27 departing flights have been canceled.
The arrival cancellations are from the following cities: Hartford, CT; Boston, both New York City airports; Baltimore/Washington International; National Airport in DC; Newark, NJ and Atlanta. Twenty-nine of the arrival flights are from the Northeast and two are from Atlanta.
The departure cancellations are to Boston; both New York City airports; Newark, NJ and Atlanta.
The airlines involved are: American Airlines, Continental and Delta.
American expects to resume flights at New York City-area airports by Wednesday afternoon, but won't start flying again in Boston until Wednesday night.
Passengers are urged to check with their carrier before attempting to come to Miami International Airport due to the weather conditions throughout the Northeast and other parts of the country.
