Phoenix Travelers Rebook Flights or Drive Home After Cancellations

The ground stop at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport had ended by November 14, but travelers were still dealing with canceled and delayed flights, long waits and luggage separated from its owners. In the preceding 24 hours, 134 flights were canceled and 132 delayed. Some passengers sought new bookings, while others decided to travel by road.

Barb Davies and Gail Schauer, friends from Minnesota, were trying to get home after a trip to Arizona. Davies had traveled with Schauer to celebrate her recovery from open-heart surgery in February. Their flight home had been canceled, and they booked another departure— their third attempt, using three different airlines. They hoped to reach Minnesota in time for a daughter’s 30th birthday celebration on Sunday morning.

Jeremy Varney and his daughter Carmen had come from Chicago for a soccer tournament. They thought their flight would go ahead after the ground stop was lifted, but another cancellation changed their plans. They decided to drive the roughly 25 hours home so Carmen could return to school on Monday. Carmen said she likes road trips, while her father said they would make the best of the situation.

Jim, who lives in Casa Grande, said his Portland flight was called off after he and his wife checked their bags on November 13. When he went to retrieve them the next day, he learned the luggage had already been sent to Portland, where his grandchildren live. He said he did not blame anyone for the mix-up.