by
Fri, Jun 29 2012 11:51:55

U.S.

Midway Airport shuts down

The power went out on the runway on the evening of June 28, canceling and diverting flights and stranding passengers in hot airplanes or in terminals for hours. Here's how it all played out on social media along with a look at the aftermath.

  1. scottkleinberg
    Scott Kleinberg@scottkleinberg
    For those asking/traveling/waiting for loved one, Midway Airport is closed. Power out. Flights being diverted. Big mess.
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 20:07:49
  2. CourtlandOlson
    C Olson@CourtlandOlson
    Power problems at Midway…airport is shut down. Welp, that pretty much puts the proverbial icing on the cake for today’s travel.
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 19:09:32
  3. Tom Fernandes
    Tom Fernandes
    Ok this is a new one for me. On the plane about to take off at Chicago Midway and all the lights at the airport suddenly go out. No lights on the runways. No lights on the taxiways.
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 19:16:56
  4. frometalp
    Savy Lacombe@frometalp
    Yo ima let you finish but Midway Airport had one of the worst delays of all time!
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 20:16:55
  5. BREAKING: Flights being diverted all over with #Chicago's #Midway #Airport closed. #Travel #Aviation http://pic.twitter.com/ilFibLvi
    Peter Harders@PeterHarders
    ·
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 20:52:24
  6. recs83
    MAC @recs83
    The lights at midway airport went out......wtf! Like don't they have a back up plan for this kinda thing.
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 19:53:40
  7. Midway closed due to runway lighting problems
    Midway Airport was closed to flights this evening due to runway lighting problems, according to the FAA .
    Chicagotribune
  8. animalmarshall
    Marshall@animalmarshall
    @ChicagosMayor @RahmEmanuel Fix your Midway airport lights dude! This isn't the way to keep people in your city!
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 20:05:08
  9. the_rubberduck
    Rubber Duck@the_rubberduck
    Tweeting this from 30,000 ft above MDW“@gateNo1: Due to AIRPORT LIGHTING, the Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) was closed as of Jun 28 at 09:10”
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 19:32:18
  10. Norb Weitendorf
    Norb Weitendorf
    I'm here at O'hare, but supposed to be at Midway. Plane left Atlanta an hour late and then when we got near Midway, the airport lost power. We circled for another 45 minutes and then the pilot said he decided to go to O'hare because he was running out of gas. Good idea genius. Now to get my car from Midway. Ugh!!!!!!
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 20:30:58
  11. KingCzar5
    BØÛT✈ĮÑĘŠ@KingCzar5
    Wtf!!! Runway lights shut off wen we trying to take off. Midway airport, smh this a first. #Flights_on_hold
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 19:19:28
  12. scottkleinberg
    Scott Kleinberg@scottkleinberg
    Midway Airport closed: According to @nbcchicago, ComEd said it was notified of the power outage at 9:45.
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 20:30:34
  13. fire4hairlady
    fire4hairlady@fire4hairlady
    @scottkleinberg thank you! Any word on if they get runway lights back up tonight?
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 20:08:10
  14. scottkleinberg
    Scott Kleinberg@scottkleinberg
    @fire4hairlady You're welcome. Unfortunately, I don't have any more info right now, but I'll pass along if I do.
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 20:09:10
  15. revlarz
    Lawrence Gunther@revlarz
    Oh man..Comed has really done it now!(kidding)...Midway's infield lights are out, airport shut down-per FAA
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 20:12:27
  16. Curvatude
    Curvatude@Curvatude
    People are so silly ranting @ #Midway airport as if they purposely have power issues. #really?
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 20:26:15
  17. keithhadley
    Keith Hadley@keithhadley
    Power out at Chicago Midway Airport. Sister coming in with kids. Really, no backup generators??
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 21:48:36
  18. ComEd
    ComEd@ComEd
    @scottkleinberg @nbcchicago Hi Scott, ComEd is onsite & currently working with Midway representatives to resolve the issue.
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 20:47:25
  19. George S. Klein
    George S. Klein
    UH OH somebody forgot to pay the electric bill at Midway airport. :-/)
    Fri, Jun 29 2012 04:15:49
  20. Willie Perez
    Willie Perez
    ITS BOUT TO GO DOWN AT MIDWAY AIRPORT LOL
    Fri, Jun 29 2012 09:12:58
  21. Rnorton29
    Rich Norton@Rnorton29
    @scottkleinberg why?? what happened at Midway?
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 20:15:35
  22. UBRodriguez
    UB Rodriguez @ WGCI@UBRodriguez
    As of 920p, runway lights at Midway Airport are out. Inbound flights are being diverted to other cities, says SW employee. I'm delayed.
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 19:39:57
  23. scottkleinberg
    Scott Kleinberg@scottkleinberg
    According to tweets and @WGNNews, FAA says Midway closed. Diverted flights to Columbus, Detroit, Milwaukee, St. Louis.
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 20:17:23
  24. LegallyErin
    Erin@LegallyErin
    @scottkleinberg Why? @WGNNews
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 20:17:57
  25. LegallyErin
    Erin@LegallyErin
    @scottkleinberg Whoa. Just saw your other tweet. Power out? That's crazy! @WGNNews
    Thu, Jun 28 2012 20:18:33

Did you find this story interesting? Be the first to or comment.

Liked!

Scott Kleinberg

Social Mediaologist • internet curator • latte guy • mentor • Chicago Tribune social media specialist. Links+retweets are not endorsements. Opinions are my own.

12stories
47followers
36following
Total views
329

Sorry.

This URL is already in use. Please choose another URL.
Edit URL

Storify

@Storify

Are you sure?

Are you sure you want to delete this story?

Are you sure?

Are you sure you want to flag this story?