Skip to Content

Strangers work together to get home for Christmas

<i>WSMV</i><br/>Sydney Kokinis is trying to get back home to Indiana after studying abroad.
Arif, Merieme
WSMV
Sydney Kokinis is trying to get back home to Indiana after studying abroad.

By Joylyn Bukovac

Click here for updates on this story

    NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WSMV) — More than 6,000 flights have already been canceled across the nation according to Flight Aware, a flight tracking site.

Thursday was the busiest day for Christmas travels. Although, with the winter storm in the Midstate in the evening, several people were stuck at the airport overnight.

On Friday, more than 80 flights flying out of Nashville were canceled. There were also been more than 75 cancelations for flights heading into Nashville. Some people stayed up all night while being stranded at BNA.

“We need a Christmas miracle,” Gina Schepers said. Her family is traveling to Florida for a Christmas cruise.

Many travelers like Sydney Kokinis have been traveling for two days. She’s trying to get back home to Indiana after studying abroad.

“Just to see my family. I haven’t seen them in 4 months and I would love to give everyone a big hug and give them the gifts from Seoul. That’s my hope and that everyone here gets home safely,” Kokinis said.

She made it to Indianapolis, but when the pilot tried to land the winds were too strong. The pilot had to turn the plane around and land in Nashville instead.

“I was like ‘No,’” Kokinis yelled. “Then 30 minutes later the pilot said. ‘We are going to Nashville!’”

Now Kokinis, and a group of people she met on the plane, are working together to get back to Indiana in time for Christmas. The group of strangers all chipped in for a rental car and are driving each other home. Even though they met on the plane, they acted like long-time friends. Kokinis says it’s from the bond they made during the hectic travel day.

“We are going to road trip it. Probably stop at Mcdonald’s first and get some coffee,” Kokinis said while talking to her new airport friends.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Article Topic Follows: CNN - Regional

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

CNN Newsource

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KIFI Local News 8 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content