FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. \u2014 Dozens of Spirit Airlines planes sat grounded at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport as the ultra low-cost carrier shut down operations over the weekend, leaving passengers stranded across South Florida and beyond.<\/p>\n
Travelers described confusion and frustration as they scrambled to find ways home.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s crazy. I don\u2019t even know what to do,\u201d one passenger said.<\/p>\n
Pete Emory said the situation quickly turned into a nightmare.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s gonna be a nightmare. So it\u2019s been one heck of an ordeal. I mean, we had a great time here, but it\u2019s just terrible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines sent a letter to staff about the shutdown. Workers at the airline\u2019s Dania Beach headquarters were seen leaving the building carrying boxes filled with personal items as they exited for the final time.<\/p>\n
Questions remain about what comes next for employees, including whether severance packages will be offered.<\/p>\n
President Donald Trump said the federal government had looked into ways to help keep the company afloat in an effort to preserve jobs.<\/p>\n
He added that roughly 14,000 jobs were at stake.<\/p>\n
However, that proposal did not move forward.<\/p>\n
Broward County commissioner Michael Udine spoke on the shutdown. <\/p>\n
\u201cA tremendous loss to the South Florida business community and the flying public in general. As we move forward, we will attempt to bring in other carriers to pick up the slack, and do what we can for affected employees.\u201d<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfe0 News From Your Neighborhood<\/p>\n
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