DALLAS — Long lines, frayed nerves, and impromptu concourse sleepovers were still part of the traveling routine at both DFW Airport and Love Field on Thursday as flyers face more cancellations than they did on the first day of the winter storm that continues to cripple transportation in north Texas.
TSA lines were building quickly in DFW Airport Concourse C at midday on Thursday, with wait times upwards of 40 minutes. Michael Schwartz of Fort Lauderdale was in that line, his second in two days.
“We had an 11 o’clock, that got canceled," he said of his flight originally slated for Wednesday that was rebooked on Thursday. "I got moved to two. My buddy got moved to six yesterday. That was canceled. He’s not getting out until Saturday. “
Lauren Hempkins and Luis Garcia both spoke with WFAA's Scoop Jefferson late Wednesday night in Concourse C. Their American Airlines flight was canceled after they already boarded. Then they were told they would need to wait more than four hours for their luggage to be returned to the baggage claim area.
“I’m trying to stay positive," Hempkins said. "Because everyone else is freaking out. We saw some people losing it in there.”
“It’s disrespectful what they’re doing knowing we can’t do nothing else," Luis Garcia said. "Because we can’t leave and we’re stuck here waiting on them. It’s ridiculous.”
Passengers also reported having little luck booking rental cars as transportation options. Hempkins said a cab driver did offer to take her to Austin and quoted her a $1,200 fare. She turned him down.
The raw numbers further explain the reasons for all this angst and frustration. According to Flight Aware, DFW Airport was at a 58% cancellation rate Thursday on flights originating from the airport. Love Field, also in numbers greater than they were the day before, was recording a 32% cancellation rate.
But other passengers reported better results: airlines offering hotel rooms overnight and flights being rebooked within a 24 hour period. As of Thursday afternoon, advance cancellations at both airports for Friday were numbering at roughly just 2%.
Deicing operations continued Thursday at both airports. For a few hours Thursday the DFW Skylink tram, that takes passengers between concourses, was frozen in place. It has since returned to normal operation. And airport and airline operations experience staffing shortages related to weather and travel just as any other business.
But in all this frustration, we also found a very calm Cheryl and Bob Adams waiting on their delayed flight at DFW Airport back home to Florida. They were in Dallas to visit their son, an airline pilot, which explains part of their lenient attitude toward continuing delays and cancellations.
“Well we’re retired. Every day is Saturday," Cheryl explained with a laugh as they walked through DFW Concourse C.
“Doesn’t do any good to get upset," added Bob Adams. "These people are doing the best they can."