Charlotte airport passengers face travel nightmare

CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Douglas International Airport had at least 380 flights delayed on Monday and that number will likely grow by the morning.

Thousands of passengers were trying to figure out how they would get to their destinations after their flights were disrupted.

The airport had nearly 750 flights canceled on Saturday and about 500 canceled on Sunday. There were at least 165 canceled on Monday.

A spokesperson for American Airlines said the network’s been experiencing weather disruptions since the weekend impacting hubs, such as Charlotte.

Passengers said they were having trouble re-booking.

“I’m looking at hanging out here for two days and two nights or spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars to try and find hotel and transportation to get there and back,” said passenger Dianna Dodge.

American Airlines said it’s evaluating conditions in Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, for Tuesday.

‘Holding our bags hostage’

Travel was a struggle at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Sunday. By 3 p.m., the number of canceled flights had already topped 200.

At first glance, it almost appeared that the line to get to American Airlines’ check-in counter was endless.

“We’ve been here for probably about three and a half hours I’d say,” said Danny Hughes. “We arrived at the airport 4 hours early. Our flight is about to take off. We arrived 4 hours early because were traveling with two young kids.”

Hughes and his family had hoped they would be back in Dublin Sunday night. Instead, they will have to pick out a comfy seat at the airport.

As you might imagine, the frustration for some passengers was boiling over. La Saundra Cousins was headed to Punta Cana; unfortunately, there was a layover in Charlotte.

“Holding our bags hostage, the lady that runs customer service she needs to be out on a corner ‘cause she’s awful. Customer service is awful, the workers are rude,” said Cousins.

“I live in Atlanta so I’m just chilling in the Charlotte airport. Good thing I love Instagram and Twitter or I would be bored out of my mind,” said Chandler Mentor.

At least Mentor still had the hope of departing Sunday night, but his flight was originally scheduled at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Now, it’s supposed to depart at 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

“From here to Atlanta I think is 5 hours,” Mentor said. “Like, I could definitely do that, but I already have a flight booked,” said Mentor.

More than 550 flights out of Charlotte Douglas have been affected. Airport officials advise that before you arrive, be sure to check the status of your flight on their website so that way you don’t join the frustrated people who are out there.