What would you do- S/H flown from New Orleans

[brandip22]

Hey guys! I know things are terrible in New Orleans and to worry about a vacation to WDW during this time seems trivial. We have decided to still go, though. Problem is, that we were suppose to fly out or New Orleans Airport via Southwest. MSy has not announced being closed thru Sat yet, SWA is making accomodations thru Friday and we are suppose to leave Saturday. We really feel that MSY will still be closed Saturday or the traffic will be so terrible, it'll take forever. SWA will let us fly out of Houston- a 5 hour drive for us. Should we go ahead and change now or wait to see if MSY opens. We are leaning towards changing it now to Houston, but would hate for MSY to open and then drive that extra 5 hours for nothing. OTD, we hate to wait and no flights be available. What woudl you do? Thanks

 

[debster812]

Personally, and I mean this will all due respect, and not one shred of snarkiness, I would drive the 5 hours and fly out of Texas. Even if MSY opens (does not look very likely at this point) do you really want to even try to navigate around NO with the infrastructure (such as it is) so stressed right now.

I would count my blessings that I am able to continue with life as relatively normal, and take my vacation, and drive the 5 hours to TX.

Again, I say this will all due respect, and no snarkiness intended.

Edited to add: by flying out of Texas, if for some reason MSY does open, SWA might be able to use your seats to evac someone else who might need to be out of NOLA. (elderly, ill, infirm, infant)

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

I would drive to Houston to fly too. With the widespread devastation the airport probably won't be fully functioning and many people will not be there for their usual work routine. That's when mistakes are more likely to be made.

 

[brandip22]

Personally, and I mean this will all due respect, and not one shred of snarkiness, I would drive the 5 hours and fly out of Texas. Even if MSY opens (does not look very likely at this point) do you really want to even try to navigate around NO with the infrastructure (such as it is) so stressed right now.

I would count my blessings that I am able to continue with life as relatively normal, and take my vacation, and drive the 5 hours to TX.

Again, I say this will all due respect, and no snarkiness intended.

Edited to add: by flying out of Texas, if for some reason MSY does open, SWA might be able to use your seats to evac someone else who might need to be out of NOLA. (elderly, ill, infirm, infant)

No snarkiness taken. That was one of our thoughts, too. I think I'm just going to go ahead and call. If they open back up, the roads will need to be used by those poor residents.Thanks!

 

[debster812]

No snarkiness taken. That was one of our thoughts, too. I think I'm just going to go ahead and call. If they open back up, the roads will need to be used by those poor residents.Thanks!

Thanks--I kind of typed something earlier off the cuff on a different board, and it got misconstrued, so I am REALLY trying to choose my words carefully, especially when emotions are so high right now.

 

[KathyTX]

I don't think travel out of NOLA will be "normal" for a long time to come. I would make other arrangements.

 

[zurgswife]

I'd also switch to Houston....

 

[DebbieB]

In looking at a map, the airport is between the Mississippi River and Lake Ponchartrain. I can't imagine it would be open soon.

 

[CarolA]

Go to Houston even if NO opens it is going to be a NIGHTMARE. There are literally thousands of folks trying to get out of town and they will all be at the airport with you....Flights will be overbooked for a good week just dealing with stuck tourists not to mention new folks fleeing that place! I would think it would be nightmare trying to keep up with kids etc. during that mess!

 

[vossjemi]

I heard on a news report on the radio today that both airports in New Orleans are under water today with all the storm surge. So, if that is true, I cannot imagine them being able to fly Saturday. I mean it could take weeks if not months to pump the water out, right? So so sad. We actually already have a trip planned and booked to New Orleans in feb about 10 days prior to mardi gras, having never experienced it. My brother has been about 5 times and was going to show us around. I know they will need our tourist dollars and still plan to go assuming travel is allowed by then, but I know it will be sooo sad to see the devastation. Last year we went to grand cayman about 6 months after Ivan was hit, and there was still so much damage there. It truly is heartbreaking.

 

[rascalmom]

I've heard that the airport is currently underwater. Even if it gets drained by the weekend (?), there is the possibility that the runways will have suffered damage. They may not know if/to what extent for a few more days. Look at how many roads are complete washed out - the soil underneath simply shifted.

I would plan on going to Houston. Good luck & have a great time on your trip!

 

[brandip22]

I am going to Houston, but I did want to update you all that the airport is not and has not been underwater. It's been completely dry. My friends that are staying here who are from New Orleans- well, Kenner, which is right outside of NO, just went back to get stuff from their house a few hours ago. The airport is actually in Kenner, not New Orleans itself and there is no damage to the airport. It looks like it will be several weeks, if not months until it is operational to consumers due to power issues, though. Thanks for your help, though. We are going out of Houston tomorrow