New York and Washington airports nearly empty after huge snowstorm

2014-02-13 75

There's not a lot to love about this latest blast of severe winter weather if you're an air traveler a day before Valentines' Day.

(SOUNDBITE) DAWN POLLARD, STRANDED PASSENGER SAYING:

"I'm horrible. It's Valentine's Day weekend. I came here on a business trip and was leaving to go home this morning and leave for a pleasure trip for Valentine's Day and now I'm stuck here. So, it's a sad time for me."

More than 5,000 domestic U.S. flights were canceled and hundreds more delayed Thursday as a severe winter storm moved north along the East Coast, dumping heavy snow, sleet and rain on runways.

Departure halls at New York's LaGuardia Airport were empty except for a few stranded -- and very frustrated -- passengers.

(SOUNDBITE) LUCY LU, STRANDED PASSENGER SAYING:

"I feel disappointed, but what I can do? And the airline company - they just say to stay here and wait."

And at Reagan National Airport, waiting for the storm to pass was easier for some than

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