Copyright cleveland.com
With less than three weeks to Thanksgiving, the record-breaking federal government shutdown has left holiday travelers in limbo, and subscribers to my daily text messages on Friday shared stories of canceled flights, backup plans, and growing frustration over political dysfunction. Their responses reveal a mix of anxiety, resignation, and resourcefulness as Ohioans adapt yet again to a new kind of holiday uncertainty: airlines canceling flights because of disruptions in air traffic control and airport staffing. Travelers who once worried about snowstorms or packed highways are now confronting a man-made obstacle: a political standoff that has grounded parts of the government and the holiday spirit. More than 125 people responded to my question about their plans. (Anyone can join the free texting group, which offers news updates and opportunities to share views directly with the newsroom, by visiting https://www.joinsubtext.com/chrisquinn.) Here’s what they had to say. “We’re driving instead” — travelers trade skies for roads The most common theme from texters was simple: forget the airports. Many are swapping plane tickets for long car rides, citing fears of delays, safety issues, and uncertainty about when — or whether — the shutdown will end. “We cancelled our air travel plans last night & are driving instead,” one person said. “While we will spend 24 hours (round trip) in a car we will be able to be with family.” Another wrote: “Plans have changed to drive instead of fly. Everyone is within 9 hours so that’s the plan. We don’t trust the idiots in Washington to get anything done.” Several said they are already hearing similar choices from others. “Flight Plans are definitely changing with many opting to drive or not travel at all,” one reader said. Another noted, “Friends and family that were looking to make the annual pilgrimage home have canceled their plans… They all have obligations that make it necessary to get back home on time.” Even those with long hauls are preparing for the open road. “I got a great price on an airline ticket this year to go to my son’s in Baton Rouge,” one texter said. “My backup plan is to drive the 16 hours if I need to.” Others have canceled flights outright. “My daughter and her family had plans to fly to Florida… They cancelled their flights and instead will drive to Myrtle Beach.” “We’re just waiting it out” — Hoping for a breakthrough Plenty of readers are holding their breath — and their reservations — in the hope that Congress acts before the turkeys hit the ovens. “We already made flights but they may get cancelled,” one person wrote. “We’re waiting to see what happens.” Any optimism often came laced with doubt. “I did not even try to book flights to visit my 94-year-old mother for Thanksgiving, as I have little faith in our federal Congress to negotiate and end the shutdown any time soon,” one texter confessed. Others are watching for signs of improvement before making changes. “People I know are waiting for now to see,” a reader said. “If the flights we have scheduled are cancelled, getting onto another one won’t likely be possible.” Some remain philosophical. “Hard to make a backup plan when everything is in flux,” one wrote. “Just gotta wait and see, and if I get stuck, at least I will be at home with a Bob Evans dinner.” “The airlines aren’t helping” — Refunds, rebookings, and frustrations Several texters described tense battles with airlines over refunds or alternatives. “I was supposed to go to Hilton Head, leaving CLE on 11-20,” one reader wrote. “I requested a refund ($1,435) because my flight goes through ATL, a hub airport with service reductions… They are balking at issuing the refund.” Another shared: “Friends had their flight cancel last week (to Orlando). She immediately booked a van for the trip. Now she’s there and car rental prices are sky high as more flights are being cancelled.” A few commended carriers trying to be flexible. “United has been extremely gracious and is allowing people to cancel or change flights right now, for any future flight, without penalty,” one texter said. “Even for those who purchased the basic economy tickets that do not allow change.” But most comments reflected exasperation with air travel generally. “No one in my family will be even attempting to fly anywhere!” one said. Another added, “I told two of my daughters that usually fly around the holidays to stay the hell off the planes.” “Smaller, safer, simpler” — Redefining the holiday Beyond logistics, many readers said the uncertainty has reshaped their holiday mindset — away from elaborate gatherings and toward modest, local ones. “We’ve decided to stay home with a smaller family gathering,” one wrote. “I think the air traffic control situation will continue to worsen and I can’t blame the controllers.” Another family is finding meaning in the chaos: “We don’t trust lives to airlines nor do we want to spend long hours at the airport. Funds are questionable. We’ve all agreed to refocus Thanksgiving on giving… Right now it’s looking like homeless shelter boxes.” Others echoed that sentiment: “Most are changing the Big Plans to smaller safer plans to avoid serious highway back ups & airport delays,” a reader said. Several noted the financial pressures of the season. “The majority of the poor or the working class can’t afford to travel, especially because the high food prices and the high utility prices keep going up and up,” one reader wrote. “It’s hard to believe that people even want to travel.” Some see the changes as an opportunity to rediscover nearby destinations. “We usually head out of town for a mountain getaway,” one texter said. “Now it’s been lovely to consider what is within driving distance that we’ve never seen before.” “They can’t even govern” — Anger at Washington Politics infused nearly every thread of the responses. Many blamed one party or another, often with fiery language. “Maybe you should talk with your Democrat Party friends and tell them to open the government,” one reader wrote, while another countered, “Thank Trump for our misery. MAGA congresspersons will pay.” Some lamented what they see as a broken system. “I think government cannot get it together and do the job they were elected to do,” one said. “It is very sad.” Another wrote, “Just fix this government crap and let’s get back to work. Stubborn politicians are the worst.” A reader summed up the frustration succinctly: “People are mad! Our insurance premiums just went way up AND now this? Republicans can fix this and won’t. They suck.” Others broadened their anger beyond party lines. “Why do politicians get paid (Congress) but not necessary people like the air traffic control?” one person asked. “So now we have a truly sick, possibly insane president and no one says boo—not even the press?!?! So much hypocrisy!!!” Even among the weary, humor peeked through. “Oh no! Flight cancellations that keep well-heeled faraway family from getting home to be with family they cannot live close to see regularly! Oh no! What an IMPORTANT story!” one reader teased. A shared weariness Threaded through the anger and logistical gymnastics is a collective exhaustion — a sense that Americans have grown used to instability. “After a global pandemic our tolerance for disruption feels higher,” one reader wrote. “The constant flip-flops in rulings and policy make it feel uncertain to which degree the latest ‘issue’ will actually materialize.” Others simply shrugged. “I feel way too many people flying anyway. People need to be more content with themselves and their lives,” one texter mused. Another said, “Not feeling very festive this year. The daily news is grim. The Trump virus seems to have more of a stranglehold on well-being than the COVID virus did.” But there were glimmers of grace, too — people determined to see loved ones despite it all. “We made flight reservations last week to Boston,” one wrote. “Fortunately, if our flight is cancelled, we can drive instead.” Whether by plane, car, or not at all, the readers’ comments capture a country caught between frustration and faith — still hoping that, come Thanksgiving, the skies might clear and families can find their way home.
