Spirit Airlines shut down overnight, canceling all flights and stranding thousands of travelers, including many at Orlando International Airport.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing but emptiness \u2014 that\u2019s all you see when you look at the checkout lanes here for Spirit,\u201d one observer said. \u201cYou can also see this update right here: Spirit has shut down all of its operations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Passengers whose trips were disrupted said they received little help.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t get a transfer \u2014 they didn\u2019t move us over. No help, no accommodations \u2014 nothing,\u201d Amber Savinon said. \u201cJust, \u2018Your flight is canceled.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Furious \u2014 that\u2019s the word from many Spirit travelers blindsided by the sudden shutdown Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey basically just abandoned everybody,\u201d Steven Watkins said. \u201cI was abandoned.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other travelers said they were stuck for hours.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been in the lobby for eight hours. Checkout was at 11,\u201d Watkins said. \u201cI\u2019ve been stranded, walking around \u2014 out in the sun. It\u2019s been a terrible day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Christian Santiago, a former Spirit flight dispatcher who worked for the airline for three years, said he was at Orlando International Airport on Saturday watching the last flight.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just unbelievable. It was like a nightmare,\u201d Santiago said. \u201cI couldn\u2019t believe what was going on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Santiago is among 17,000 workers who are now out of a job, but he said he remains grateful for the company.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the reasons I came from Puerto Rico was to work for Spirit Airlines,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was more than a job \u2014 it was a career.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other airlines are offering priority hiring options for employees affected by the shutdown, Santiago said. He said he already has a new job and hopes to stay in aviation.<\/p>\n
\u201cFortunately, I was able to move on, but I was hoping to stay in the aviation industry,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Customers were told not to expect help rebooking on other airlines. Some may be eligible for refunds only if they booked directly through Spirit, not through a third party.<\/p>\n
Rosen Hotels and Resorts is offering reduced rates for customers impacted by the shutdown.<\/p>\n
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