NWA Residents Face Airline Troubles

Travelers caught in the airline chaos following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States have experienced more than they bargained for.

Some of the stories from local residents include renting a U-Haul truck to get back home and being offered a free four-night stay on a cruise ship.

One Springdale resident was in flight when the attacks took place. His plane landed in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was able to fly into Kansas City on Sept. 12, but could not make it to the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport. There were no rental cars available, so he went to the local U-Haul dealership and rented a truck to drive back home. One-way rental of a small U-Haul truck from Kansas City to Springdale is only slightly more expensive than renting a National Rental Car economy-size vehicle for $106. And the rental car would have to be dropped off at XNA in Highfill, while the U-Haul’s dropoff is on U.S. Highway 71 Business in Springdale.

“I thought that was a brilliant idea,” said Francis Mayo, owner of Around the World Travel in Springdale.

Another travel escapade involved a local individual being on a cruise ship on the day of the terrorist attacks. Customs scrutiny was making the process of departing the ship extremely long. Since flights were not leaving Miami, Carnival Cruise Lines was having to pay the hotel bills for its guests. Passengers were offered an additional four-night cruise for free, which would be less expensive for the cruise ship than putting the stranded individuals up in hotels. The Fayetteville resident declined, rented a car, and drove all the way from Miami.

Mayo said she didn’t notice her clients “canceling flights out of fear” following the attacks. But AWT did refund 64 tickets on Sept. 12, simply because there was no air travel.