NEWARK, N.J. — Frustration is mounting at airports as a record number of fliers take to the skies this holiday weekend.
On Sunday, delays and cancellations eased even as airlines struggled to meet staff shortages.
But for many, trying to catch a flight is a miserable experience, CBS2’s Dave Carlin reported.
At Newark Liberty International Airport, mishaps have been reported due to delays and cancellations that have led to overnight stays in hotel rooms that some did not expect.
READ MORE: Delays, cancellations hamper holiday travel at busy airports
Dublin is a destination that has so far been denied to Claudio Sandoval. The California native was stranded in Newark, delayed by at least a day from meeting the rest of his family in Ireland.
On Saturday, his connecting flight from Newark was canceled and he was rebooked for Sunday night.
“I really don’t know if it’s even going to happen,” said Sandoval, of Panorama City, Calif. “A dream family vacation that turns into a nightmare.”
“The line is really crazy right now,” added Rich Lima of Hamilton, New Jersey.
READ MORE: TSA: 2.46 million passengers passed through airport security on Friday
There have been thousands of canceled flights across the country since the start of the holiday weekend. Much of this has been blamed on the lack of staff and in particular the shortage of pilots.
Some airlines are preemptively cutting flights from their summer schedule to try to avoid the chaos of doing so at the last minute.
“I don’t know why the airline doesn’t have enough personal stuff for the reason. It was also a strike. There are so many factors,” said Benjamin Howell of Berlin.
Howell was here to help his friend Rebecca Wieland find a flight to Germany to replace her originally canceled one.
“I’m a student and I have exams in two days, three days,” Wieland said.
“We’re just hoping to find a way to get her back,” Howell added. “I tried to call them on the hotline. Don’t call. This is disappointing. It’s disappointing.”
READ MORE: No end in sight for July 4th weekend flight delays and cancellations amid staff shortages
After CBS2’s groom-to-be met at Newark Liberty on Friday, Alam Khan of Boonton, New Jersey, was stuck at the airport and in danger of missing his own wedding in Toronto.
“My suit is ready… my shoes are ready to go. I have four sisters, my nephews here. They’re all waiting. The flight is canceled and I’m stuck here at Newark airport right now,” Khan said.
When he was told that his booked flight had been cancelled, he went by car and arrived in time for the wedding. His nine-plus hour drive was a bit rough, but worth it.
Airline representatives echo this advice: Plan ahead and call your carrier before you get to the airport, and even then, keep checking.
Dave Carlin
Dave Carlin serves as a reporter for CBS2 News and covers breaking news and major events in the tri-state area.
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