MIAMI – Over 2,000 American Airlines flights were canceled over the weekend causing headaches for travelers both in South Florida at Miami International Airport and across the country.
On Monday, there were about 12 American Airlines flights delayed and over 20 flights canceled at Miami International Airport (MIA).
“I’m just hoping it doesn’t get canceled,” said a man at MIA Monday morning. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this trip. We’ll see. So far, it’s on time.”
Some passengers at MIA were stuck overnight due cancelations, with some being stuck for two entire days.
Senator Marco Rubio tweeted out his experience, Monday morning, saying his flight to Orlando from Miami was canceled, as well.
Now, passengers fear the travel nightmare may not be over.
Cellphone video from inside Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport over the weekend cshowed the long lines wrapped around the departures section, and similar scenes were found at MIA.
“It was supposed to be a really good company, I always travel with them, but lately they failed,” said Mexico City-bound traveler Rachel, who did not give her last name. “The line was like super, super big and no one told us anything.”
Frustrated passengers like Rachel were left scrambling to find a way home.
“It’s horrible, the fact that there is no compassion,” said Deshane Philip, who was flying to the Virgin Islands. “A two-month old baby that was premature, we haven’t been asked, ‘do you guys need assistance’? We stayed on the line for three hours. My son has been crying the whole time.”
Another stranded passenger said since Saturday, two of his flights have been canceled and his elderly mother-in-law is suffering.
“She’s 84 she has dementia,” said Eddy Batres, who is traveling to Central America. “She got Alzheimer’s and she is caught off guard here. She fainted twice today.”
Rachel told Local 10 News she was heading to Mexico City when her flight was cancelled 20 minutes before the scheduled boarding time.
American Airlines is blaming two days of severe winds in Dallas and gusts of up to 50 mph for cancelations and delays.
They released a statement that read, in part:
“With additional weather throughout the system, our staffing begins to run tight as crew members end up out of their regular flight sequences.”
“I’m a doctor, so I’m a little nervous I have to be back in Chicago to see my patients I have no way to call them and cancel them,” said Silvia Panitch, who was flying to Chicago.
On Sunday, a total of 21 American Airlines flights were cancelled out of MIA due to crew shortages.
The travel nightmare left many forced to find alternative ways to get home.
“Just wait here,” said Enrique Varriga. “I have no place to go.”