As Thanksgiving break arrived at Indiana University, students across campus packed their bags and headed to airports across the country. The time away from school is usually exciting, but this year many IU travelers said the experience felt more uncertain. Delays and cancellations made some students worry they might not make it home in time for the holiday.
Airlines say recent flight cancellations have been linked to a shortage of air traffic controllers. They also say the government shutdown has made the situation worse. These issues created confusion and concern for students flying through major airports, especially those who needed connecting flights.
Nicka Ghods, a senior at Indiana University, flew home to San Diego for Thanksgiving. Her trip required a connection through Charlotte North Carolina. She said she felt nervous before she even left campus because she knew how busy the airport could be during the holiday.
“Since I am from San Diego California, I have to take a connecting into Charlotte North Carolina, so it kind of freaks me out a little bit because I know Charlotte is a big airport and a lot of flights are getting cancelled out of there,” Ghods said.
Eric Thompson shares his experience with a flight cancellation and the lack of clear communication from the airline.
Charlotte is a major airport where many national flights connect, especially for travelers going between the Midwest and the West Coast. When flights are cancelled there, many passengers can be affected. Ghods said she checked her flight information closely and paid attention to updates so she would not be surprised once she arrived at the gate.
Faculty also faced travel concerns during the break. Some flew home to see family, while others traveled for work. Ansley Valentine, Theatre Drama and Contemporary Dance Associate Professor at Indiana University, flew to Florida for a theatre program. His trip required a connection through Chicago, one of the largest airports in the country.
“I am flying through Chicago through O Hare, but I am hoping that since I am getting on in Indy that maybe that will be okay, but you know it will certainly be kind of a mess if I get stuck in Chicago, and then cannot get down to Florida to do this program,” Valentine said.
Valentine said he hoped that starting in Indianapolis would help him avoid major delays, but he still prepared for a possible change in plans. Like many travelers, he paid attention to his flight status online and considered backup options in case his connection did not work out.
Ansley Valentine explains how delays could have affected his theatre trip
During the break many students heard about travel problems from friends, family or other passengers online. While some travelers received clear updates, others said information came slowly and created confusion. For many people, not knowing what was happening was just as stressful as the delays themselves.
Eric Thompson, an MFA acting candidate at Indiana University, recently experienced a flight cancellation. He said that when his plans changed, there was not enough direct communication from the airline about what to expect.
“The hardest thing for me was just that there was kind of a lack of information from United, a lack of information from the airline. And all I could hear was word of mouth or people speculating about what was going on,” Thompson said.
Thompson said that when many people wait together without official information, travelers often repeat things they hear from others nearby. This can make it difficult to understand what is actually happening and who to trust for answers.
Even with these challenges, Thompson said travelers can still prepare for busy travel seasons. He believes patience and planning are important when delays happen and thinks people should be ready for changes when they fly during the holidays.
“People should have patience, expect some hiccups here and there, and have a second plan in place,” Thompson said.
For most Indiana University students, Thanksgiving travel ended with relief. Some flights were delayed, some schedules changed without notice, and some travelers waited longer than expected. Even with those challenges, many still made it home to celebrate the holiday.
With winter break coming soon, students may use what they learned from Thanksgiving travel to prepare for their next trip. Many said they plan to check their flights earlier, watch for updates, and stay flexible if schedules shift. The main goal remains the same for anyone traveling home. They want to arrive safely and spend time with the people who matter most.
