Midwesterners landing at TIA relieved to escape bitter cold

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - Minneapolis resident Jim Vabos is living the dream of all mid-westerners after landing at Tampa International Airport Wednesday afternoon.

"When I was driving this morning, my truck thermometer read negative 27," he said. "I think that's the coldest I've ever felt."

The gateway to the Bay Area, TIA, was filled with people who were either escaping the cold or headed into it.

"It is wonderful," said Elizabeth Hughes, who traveled from Massachusetts. "Florida is where you go this time of year."

Brandon Marut was headed back to the northeast after a vacation.

"Our flight didn't get delayed so I am happy about that," he said. "But people are definitely jealous I am down here and it's 18 degrees up there."

TIA says there were 15 canceled flights, mostly to and from Chicago.

A few travelers even made it to the beach. And while there weren't any bikinis or buff bodies, Clearwater had sand, sweatshirts and even a few shorts.

"At home, we are in the teens," said Monica Hopely of New Jersey. "We are happy to be here even in the 50s."

TIA says, other than the canceled flights, the number of delays Wednesday was about the same as a normal day.