Glad we didn't use SouthWest for this trip!It's very curious. Based on what I'm reading here, it's only Southwest so far. Equally odd, however, was that Southwest announced a couple of days ago that it anticipated flight disruptions, delays and/or cancellations for scheduled flights throughout Florida through September 17. Could be any number of reasons but nothing is clear right now. It doesn't seem to be MCO and the other airlines haven't followed - so it appears to be only a SW issue.
It's rampant speculation on my part (which is exactly what this thread doesn't need anymore of - but I'm at least prefacing it by saying I have no idea what I'm talking about and don't listen to me for facts) - but I wonder if SW has issues with slot allocation at these airports. There'll be a lot of traffic back into these airports when they reopen - a lot of demand and possibly not enough landing/take-off slots available for everyone. I have no idea what the arrangements are here, but the discount airlines can get squeezed by the legacy airlines and airport authorities when these fights come up. Could also just be aftereffects of SW trying to reposition its aircraft after all this. Whatever it is, anyone flying SW into MCO through next Sunday should continue to monitor their flight (per SW's earlier announcement).
Thank you all for your kind words. Believe it or not it helps to hear others sympathy.
I've been watching CNN non stop for the last 3 days and everytime the mayor of Miami spoke he said I never thought I'd say this but tourists please leave! So yes the city of Orlando maybe. Or but some parts of the state of Florida YES .... not trying to debate I respect your opinion just stating what he said! My prayers are with everyone!At this rate, I'm expecting to hear that Irma has hit the trifecta and sharknados have begun.
I've read a lot on this thread recently about the impact of arriving tourists on local resources and first responders. I've seen a lot of people weighing in both sides. Here's something that's bothered me about this debate: has Disney, the City of Orlando or the State of Florida ever once told tourists "Don't come here" during this event? They seem to be the ones in the best position to make that statement if there's a risk of overburdened resources. But I haven't seen anything along those lines. Sure - Disney is a business, but the City and State officials have different interests (and voters to answer to). Some might say it's common sense with the evacuations and Governor's press conferences. But government officials are well aware that Orlando is one the biggest tourist destinations in the US - that people still may come. And they haven't said not to. Of course Florida has its own economic interest - tourism is its biggest industry. According to the Governor's website, tourism brings in nearly $25 billion a year in sales tax revenue and keeps over 1 million Floridians employed. Maybe they don't want to damage that reputation? Or maybe - since tourists are a vital part of the state economy - Florida and Orlando's disaster and recovery plans account for taking care of those people it's welcomed into the state?
I can understand why residents wouldn't like tourists at a time like this. I've lived in places with high tourism and know the uneasy balance of depending on tourists economically but also viewing them as disruptive intrusions. Would I go to WDW during the storm? No. I'm supposed to go down this weekend - but if the aftermath is signicant I won't and couldn't in good conscience. But that's a personal decision - I'm not going to judge someone else that does, particularly when the officials there and Disney remain silent while keeping the gates open.
Which is sort of the point. If they want the tourist to leave, or not come, they will say it. No problem at all.I've been watching CNN non stop for the last 3 days and everytime the mayor of Miami spoke he said I never thought I'd say this but tourists please leave! So yes the city of Orlando maybe. Or but some parts of the state of Florida YES .... not trying to debate I respect your opinion just stating what he said! My prayers are with everyone!
Thank you so much for your generous thoughts and kind words. It really means a lot to me to hear.You never know how or why things worked out the way they did, until later. Right now, I'm hoping Rachel can fully enjoy her trip.
She will be fine, Universal will probably move back the training due to Irma. I would tell her not to stress and just call and let them know as soon as possible.Re: the flights, my sister who flew up here to Wisconsin to flee the storm is upset because her Southwest flight back to MCO on Tuesday morning was already cancelled today. She was able to book something else on another airline for Tuesday night, but who knows what will happen to that one. She had the early morning flight because she needs to get back for job training at Universal but now is going to miss it. She's hoping Universal is understanding of the situation (she's been trying to contact someone but hasn't heard back yet). I feel awful for her because she's worked so hard to be able to move back to Orlando and everything was finally moving along but now it's all up in the air.
Which is sort of the point. If they want the tourist to leave, or not come, they will say it. No problem at all.
Thank you all for your kind words. Believe it or not it helps to hear others sympathy.
We will try to take a small trip somewhere local for a few days but we aren't quite sure how to work it with the care needed for his mom. We are hiring some help and maybe we can find someone willing to care for her over a weekend so we can get away.
@Donald my hero - that's spot on. My husband has a lot of anxiety when leaving for vacations even after months of planning. He owns around 25 rentals and manages them himself. So he has to coordinate people to be available for issues that come up with tenants. And he had filed eviction papers on a tenant not paying rent and has a scheduled court date. If he missed it, he has to start the process over and they are already $3k behind on rent.
It's the not knowing that's killing us all.
We're booked for Wednesday, but so nervous the airport won't be open or our flights will be cancelled. We already re-scheduled that from Saturday. Trying to be patient is hard.
I'm not understanding why airlines are canceling flights so far into next week were due to fly out Thursday.
This has been the longest week and a half of my life I am exhausted.! And it's all thanks to Irma lol