Massive winter storm causes dozens of delays, cancellations at RDU
Millions of Americans are fretting over last-minute travel plan changes because of the massive winter storm pummeling much of the U.S. this week.
At Raleigh-Durham International Airport, some people are moving up their flights to get to their destinations.
More than 7 million people will be flying this holiday, according to the American Automobile Association.
At RDU, they expect almost 600,000 travelers across the 18 days that make up this holiday season.
The massive storm and arctic blast is headed towards North Carolina.
Javier Olivarez, who flew into RDU from North Dakota and stopped in Minnesota, says both places are already covered with snow.
“Oh it was bad. A lot of ice. A lot of snow over there,” he said.
Here in the Triangle, rain showers and bitterly cold temperatures can be expected over the next few days.
Pamela Howell moved her flight up to avoid cancelations -- but her flight was still delayed and she’s been waiting at the airport since this morning.
As of Saturday morning, there have been 24 delayed flights out of RDU and 13 reported cancelations.
RDU saw 50 cancelations on Wednesday. Nationwide, more than 8,000 flights have been impacted due to the winter weather.
“They sent an email as I was getting ready the first time they said it was delayed until this afternoon. And then another one that said it was delayed until tonight," she said.
Many are already bracing for the days ahead, with more delays and cancelations potentially on the way.
“We are headed up to stay in Virginia tonight and then going to New Jersey tomorrow. My concern is Friday, depending on how the storm hits it might affect us," said another traveler, Mark Bintleff.
The busiest travel day at RDU will be Friday, with over 38,000 travelers. The slowest day will be Sunday, with about 25,000 passengers.
RDU leaders recommend arriving two hours before a domestic flight, and three hours before any international flights.
Pinehurst-based Kind Cookie Co. Co-Founder Nicholas Vandre has quite the strategy to make traveling more easygoing.
"Every time we travel, we bring cookies to all the first responders we see," Vandre said. "People [are] out there doing good things."
The Vandre family enjoys spreading some Christmas cheer.
"These cookies here are for the Delta Air Lines pilots that are taking us to California," Vandre said.
Vandre said his family didn't have power for several days due to the Moore County outages.
"The community banded together, and everybody pitched in and helped out where they could, so it was good," Vandre said.
Traveler Jason Waite's Thursday flight was on time, but he arrived almost three hours before takeoff time, not taking any chances.
"With the weather, I didn't know," Waite said.
Waite said he was heading to Orlando to visit his parents.
"It's supposed to be like 40, 45 [degrees] down there, so I was wishing it will be a bit warmer," Waite said.
With Christmas and New Year holidays landing on Sundays this year, AAA said the window of travel time is extended.
