By DAN HEATH
Staff Writer
February 05, 2008 07:51 am
—
PLATTSBURGH -- A joint effort helped diminish the disappointment created when Friday's nasty weather canceled two Allegiant flights.
Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas said everything went as well as could be expected after cancellation of the 6 p.m. flight to Fort Lauderdale and the 7 p.m. inaugural flight to Orlando.
"Obviously, we were all looking forward to the launch of Allegiant's first flight to Orlando," Douglas said.
The chamber had planned a send-off celebration similar to the airline's first flight to Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 16. Douglas said the events included invitations for several local Girl Scouts to be dressed in Disney costumes obtained by Allegiant officials, as well as decorations and refreshments.
As freezing rain started pelting the region Friday and airports throughout the Northeast began to close, it became obvious the flights would at least be delayed, so it was decided to cancel the send-off party.
Because passengers faced a lengthy delay, if not cancellation of their flight, the Chamber of Commerce decided to make their stay as comfortable as possible.
"It was even more important we be there, not less important," Douglas said.
The chamber team went to the airport to provide refreshments and promotional materials. They also gathered newspapers donated by the Press-Republican and Denton Publications to give the travelers something to do.
While more than 200 passengers were affected, Douglas said, only about six got very angry. Everyone else was very understanding and patient, he said, realizing the weather was the problem.
Representatives of the chamber, county and SheltAir were at the airport to answer questions as best they could.
"They (passengers) had a sense the airport was there and looked after them," Douglas said.
Once the flights were canceled, passengers with cars were directed to the hotel corridor at exit 37.
"There were a remarkable number of people without cars here," Douglas said.
The county responded by arranging for a CART bus to ferry passengers to hotels and promised a return trip the next day. Best Western also made its shuttle service available.
"None of us left there until the last passenger had left the terminal," Douglas said.
"We are the little airport that cares about its passengers."
The one scheduled and two postponed flights left without incident the next day.
Some people decided not to travel, mainly those who were only going down for the weekend. Douglas said Allegiant offered those passengers full refunds.
Allegiant spokeswoman Tyri Squyres said airline officials appreciate the local efforts to step in and assist its customers in making the experience reasonable and helping them through the big delay.
"Typical airline procedure would be that customers are on their own, but the airport did step up and assist those passengers, particularly those that had driven a significant distance across the border," she said.
"They helped make arrangements for those customers that were impacted by the delay."
dheath@pressrepublican.com
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