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CHICAGO, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Would-be travelers around the country are stranded or scrambling to change their plans, after Friday's early morning fire at a FAA radar facility forced mass cancellations at both of Chicago's airports and throughout the United States "Flights have begun arriving and departing to and from the Chicago area at a reduced rate," FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown told USA Today on Friday afternoon.
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For most passengers, however, Friday morning's fire means canceled plans, uncertainty and wasted money.
"They put us on a flight tomorrow but now we have to fly through Miami instead of direct," Alex Simmons, who was attempting to fly to San Juan with 20 family members and friends, told USA Today.
"Some of our group is being split up and has to fly all the way to Houston first. We have non-refundable hotel reservations for tonight in San Juan that are going to waste."
"There feels like there was no contingency plans in place," added George Deszcz, 62, who was en route to Dallas for a family wedding. "[It's] unacceptable."
Can't fly into Milwaukee because of this Chicago fire, so I'm stuck in the armpit of 'Murrica, Newark, NJ. #getmeoutofhere #gettinghostile
Advertisement— Alex Stormoen (@stormyoday) September 26, 2014Still at #ohare stuck... Been here since 450am. I know it's not your fault @united but it's so important I get back to #dca asap please help
— Lia James (@Lia_James) September 26, 2014#indianapolis doing everything it can to help #ohare and #midway after flights grounded and diverted due to fire at #faa facility.
— CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) September 26, 2014
