Frustration reigns at Norman Manley

Frustration summed up what several passengers were feeling following cancellations and delays, after severe weather conditions across the United States, Canada and Europe over the Christmas weekend forced the closure of airports and grounded several flights.

However, Tuesday brought some hope for the stranded passengers, who had been facing cancelled flights since Sunday.

When some passengers got to the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) from as early as 4:30 a.m. yesterday, they felt they were in good stead to be first in line for a flight home. To their dismay, however, the airport was already crowded.

"We got here before 5 a.m. and already it was crowded. In my estimation there were about 400 persons here. Three hundred in line ahead of us, and another 100 behind us," said Lennox Carpenter. He and his mom have been trying to get home to New York since Sunday night.

Plans may be cancelled

A very upset Dorret Carpenter said, "It's just been terrible. I don't even want to talk about it."

Dorret's brother, Paul Channer, was also scheduled to return with them for a week's vacation, but it was possible he might have to cancel those plans, as already three days had passed since he was supposed to leave and it was not clear when they would actually get a flight out.

"And I have to come back for work," said Paul.

Dorret suddenly remembered her ackee, bammy and fish in her carry-on that needed to be refrigerated. She shook her head.

"I may have to throw it all away," she lamented.

Deloris Allen and her sons, Garfield Nicholas and Milton Wisdom, were vacationing from Connecticut. The brothers had to head back for work this week, but their flight was cancelled on Monday. Luckily, Milton got booked on a flight heading out yesterday, but Garfield was booked for Friday, and placed on standby for yesterday.

"My son (Garfield) is a police officer and he has to go back to work, so I really hope he can get on the flight today (Tuesday)," said Deloris.

For herself, she said: "I'm not going anywhere. That snow storm is too bad and I have six weeks so I'm going to wait before I try to head home."

Marsha, who did not want to give her full name, drove all the way from Ocho Rios, St Ann, to catch her flight on Monday, only to be told en route that it was cancelled. She had been at the airport since 4:30 a.m. yesterday and her New York flight was delayed three times already.

Georgette, a marketing officer, who was unwilling to give her last name, needed to get back to work in Canada, "so I definitely need to be on this flight today".

Generally, the mood at the NMIA was wait-and-see, cross-your-fingers-and-hope.

Several persons were already booked on a flight, while quite a few were on standby for Air Jamaica, Air Canada or JetBlue. While The Gleaner was there, flights were still being delayed by several hours.

"The flight delay again to 5 p.m.," one passenger came back and told those waiting to head to JFK airport in New York.

"See what we talking about," another said.

anastasia.cunningham@gleanerjm.com