{"id":1911,"date":"2014-09-27T14:17:06","date_gmt":"2014-09-27T21:17:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/journalists-org-develop.go-vip.co\/newsroom\/newsroom14\/?p=1116"},"modified":"2021-06-22T18:40:10","modified_gmt":"2021-06-22T22:40:10","slug":"onas-guide-to-getting-home-after-the-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/journalists-org-develop.go-vip.co\/newsroom\/2014\/09\/27\/onas-guide-to-getting-home-after-the-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Getting Home After the Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"

Online News Association attendee Antoinette Siu was supposed to fly home Sunday morning to cover Oprah Winfrey\u2019s appearance<\/a> at the dedication of the Syracuse University Newhouse Studio and Innovation Center the following day.<\/p>\n

Her travel plans, however, have been canceled by American Airlines.<\/p>\n

Her situation stems from Friday\u2019s fire at a Chicago-area radar facility<\/a>. More than 600 flights were canceled at O\u2019Hare International Airport by early afternoon on Saturday. At Midway International Airport, more than 70 flights were canceled.<\/p>\n

Airlines were using social media Saturday as a customer service tool. Passengers have been tweeting their flight issues and airlines such as Delta<\/a>, United<\/a> and American<\/a>\u00a0have responded with support.<\/p>\n

@parshooter321<\/a> 205 shows an arrival time of 7:59, and the EDI flight is at 10. You will have time. ^JJ<\/p>\n

\u2014 United (@united) September 27, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

@stealmyrecords<\/a> While I am limited by twitter, I will try to assist. Please follow and DM your confirmation number and request. *RB \u2014 Delta Assist (@DeltaAssist) September 27, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

At ONA, companies like Banjo<\/a> showcased tools that can assist reporters in crowdsourcing content. They compile tweets, Facebook posts and Instagram photos using geolocation to develop a feed like this example of social media related to delays at O’Hare and Midway in Chicago<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Events like Friday\u2019s fire at O\u2019Hare, which knock out part of the air traffic control system, can be very disruptive to the airline industry, said Benet Wilson, an aviation journalist since 1992 and ONA board member.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Chicago goes down, it\u2019s a ripple effect that goes across the world, not just in the United States,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The Chicago Department of Aviation recommends passengers contact their airlines to get updated information.<\/p>\n

For Siu, contacting American Airlines involved an hour and a half wait to speak with a live customer service representative. American offers a callback feature if all agents are busy so people do not have to wait on hold for that long. She thinks she will make it back for the Newhouse dedication after changing her flight a few times with American.<\/p>\n

Airline Tips<\/h3>\n

United Airlines:<\/strong> United says they are offering changing of travel plans<\/a> in some cases. They also report very high volume of calls and recommend using the website for the latest information<\/a>. \u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

American Airlines:<\/strong> American says customers can\u00a0change their flights with no charge<\/a>. They said to check flight status<\/a> online for the latest information. \u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Southwest Airlines:<\/strong> Saturday flights were cancelled between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Southwest is offering passengers holding a reservation thru Oct. 1 to opportunity to\u00a0change their flight<\/a>. They will operate on a slow schedule after 2 p.m., according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. Passengers can check their flight information here<\/a>. \u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Delta Airlines:<\/strong> They will also be offering passengers \u00a0a chance to change their flight<\/a>. Passengers can check flight information here<\/a>. \u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/b><\/p>\n

Chicago Area Airports on Social Media:<\/p>\n