SEATAC, Wash. – Monday's snowstorm created havoc for passengers trying to get in and out of Sea-Tac Airport, but it's what happened at a hotel that left a bitter taste in the mouth of one man.
Many travelers had to camp out at the airport Monday night and into Tuesday morning. And even then, some were still waiting.
Joe Ahlenius spent the night at the airport sleeping on the pool toys he brought back from Hawaii.
"Everyone was laughing. A guy said 'I need to take a picture. You're weird and my sister likes weird people,'" said Jo.
Alaska Airlines says it can't get the Ahlenius' on a plane home until Wednesday.
"I thought 'Shoot. We've got to find a place to stay and I'm supposed to be at work today,'" said Ann Ahlenius.
Sea-Tac Airport officials say they do not expect weather-related travel delays on Wednesday – a busy travel day before the holiday.
Despite the fact that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is typically called the "busiest travel day of the year," Sea-Tac Airport officials say it's really not. They expect 89,000 travelers Wednesday and about 90,000 Sunday. They say some summer travel days reach 100,000 per day.
Surprise rate hikes at hotels
Puyallup resident Jason Anderson found a room at the Ramada Inn next to the airport, but you probably wouldn't call him lucky. He saw a Ramada ad for $53. He didn't know until he signed the receipt that he was charged $274.36.
"I couldn't believe that it was nearly $300 for one night," said Jason.
"I was just thinking they're taking advantage of people," said Meegan Anderson, Jason's wife.
Ramada's manager says charging that much, for what is normally a $60 to $80 room, is standard when the hotel fills up.
"It's the holiday season, the busiest travel day of the year. It's going to be this way through the rest of the travel season," said Brandon, the hotel manager.
The Washington state Attorney General's Office says it commonly gets complaints about hotels and motels raising their rates somewhat during a storm. It's only against the law if the amount is considered unscrupulous or offensive. Of course, that is open to interpretation.
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