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HARRISON, N.Y. - Nick and Pat Haick looked for a place to settle inside the Westchester County Airport on Monday afternoon after hearing their flights home to Atlanta continued to be canceled.
"We've got nothing more to do than sit, eat, and look at each other," Pat joked. "But all things considered, we've been okay."
The couple was originally supposed to fly out of Westchester yesterday after attending a high school reunion in New Jersey but the ongoing effects of Tropical Storm Irene delayed handfuls of flights going out of the area. They have been on standby ever since.
The storm canceled flights throughout the Northeast and also closed major highways and roads on the ground.
Very few flights were on-schedule as of Monday afternoon as the storm affected various areas throughout the Northeast. Long lines and crowded waiting areas became the norm at the Westchester Airport on Monday as travelers had nothing left to do but wait.
"The closest available hotel room is 14 miles away," Pat said. "But we can't book it because we aren't sure when our flight will become available."
Hotels throughout the area became difficult to book as travelers, like the Haicks, looked for options. Lack of transportation and the expensive nature of rental cars and long taxi rides left most stranded travelers with few other places to go.
"It's been a coordinating nightmare," Pat said.
The Haicks were lucky enough to have their luggage flown to Atlanta before them so they only had to wait in the airport with the essentials. A backpack they carried included a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a change of clothes.
"We did anticipate this a little bit," Pat said. "I was more optimistic and was coming no matter what."
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E-mail town reporter Phil Corso at PCorso@TheDailyHarrison.com.
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