Travelers at Detroit Metro Airport are maintaining positive attitudes despite widespread flight cancellations and delays caused by the ongoing government shutdown affecting air traffic controllers.

Watch Tiarra's report in the video player below Detroit Metro Airport travelers stay positive despite government shutdown flight disruptions

The Federal Aviation Administration ordered U.S. airlines to reduce flights at 40 major airports across the country as air traffic controllers continue working without pay during the government shutdown.

Canton resident Vicky McKernan experienced firsthand the disruptions when her Thursday flight from Detroit to Philadelphia was canceled.

"Thursday night, I got an email and notification from American Airlines, saying that my flight from Detroit to Philadelphia was canceled and they would re-book me," McKernan said.

McKernan had to reschedule her Pennsylvania trip for Saturday, but remained optimistic about the experience.

"It really wasn't a big deal for me, the TSA lines were fine, no issues there," she said.

McKernan expressed surprise at the duration of the government shutdown's impact.

"I didn't expect this government shutdown to shut down that long," she said.

Detroit Lions fan Matthew Soltysiak from Traverse City faced multiple delays on his flight from Detroit Metro to Washington D.C. for Sunday's Lions versus Washington Commanders game. After several delays, he successfully switched flights and arrived in D.C. early Saturday morning.

"I spent some time at DTW kind of debating, 'Should I go to that flight, which is going to probably be very filled up, or should I stay on the flight I'm on, which is going to be much later?'" Soltysiak said.

Despite the travel challenges, Soltysiak noted the positive atmosphere among fellow Lions fans on his flight.

"I think this talks about the dedication and the excitement that there still is around this team, because, you know, there were obstacles in the journey, right? But it was like, well, we still wanna get there, we still wanna go to this game, and find any way we could make it happen," Soltysiak said.

Travelers are advised to check their flight status frequently to stay informed about potential cancellations and plan accordingly.

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About 4% of flights were canceled at Detroit Metro Airport on Friday as the Federal Aviation Administration announced it is reducing flight capacity due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video reports: Flight cancellations hit Detroit Metro amid government shutdown Travel troubles grow nationwide and at Detroit Metro Airport

The FAA is cutting flights to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who have not been paid since the shutdown began and to maintain safety for travelers. A shortage of controllers has developed over the past month.

I spent the day at Metro Airport checking in with travelers about their concerns amid the uncertainty.

"This is our first trip with the kids, so hearing that flights might be closed today was stressful," said Kara Lougheed, a traveler from Rochester who is heading to Disney World in Orlando with her children.

Lougheed said she's more worried about her return flight from Florida.

"I like being in control, and it's out of our control, so we are just going to get there and see what happens," she said.

Detroit resident Jennifer Velker, who travels frequently for her medical sales job, expressed concerns about work-related delays.

"I travel with a large team of 52 all over the country, and my whole team was pretty worried that we would have some delays or cancellations," Velker said.

"We are on a strict timeline when it comes to work, can't exactly be late to the hospitals," she added.

The president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association said in a statement on Friday that controllers are working under intense conditions.

"Many controllers work mandatory overtime, up to 6 days a week and 10 hours a day. While their intense schedules leave little room to take on second jobs, some find themselves considering gig work to pay their bills," the statement read.

Some travelers are taking proactive measures. Janet Firestone moved her flight from Metro Airport to Charleston, South Carolina, by one day.

"I got an alert from Delta that they're may be changes with flights, and I was supposed to fly out tomorrow, so I talked to the agent, and they suggested I fly out today to beat the craziness that may happen," Firestone said.

A Delta spokesperson said the airline intends to notify passengers at least one day in advance if their flights are canceled. Travelers are advised to check their flight status before coming to the airport.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

The ongoing government shutdown is forcing airlines to reduce flights due to a shortage of unpaid air traffic controllers, with Detroit Metro Airport among 40 airports nationwide expected to face significant disruptions.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report: Detroit Metro Airport travelers brace for impact ahead of anticipated flight cuts

The Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to cut flights because air traffic controllers have not been paid since the government shutdown began. Controllers have now missed two paychecks, and union leaders say working without pay is not sustainable.

"We'll be here an extra hour. Hopefully, we'll get there on time," Susan Jackson said.

Jackson traveled from Lansing to Detroit Metro Airport on Thursday with her husband for a trip to California. Their flight was delayed.

"I'm more concerned about coming home cause I have to work the next day and I'm not sure how that's going to go," Jackson said.

The anticipated flight cancellations have Jackson reconsidering her holiday travel plans.

"Honestly with all the delays, we're probably just going to somewhere local," Jackson said.

Jackson expressed sympathy for federal workers affected by the shutdown.

"It breaks our heart for the families and the people who are having to work without any pay and not knowing when this is going to end. I cannot imagine that," Jackson said.

Detroit resident Barbara Jean Stallworth Dixon is planning to travel to Los Angeles for Thanksgiving and hopes her trip goes as planned.

"A little nervous about the flying because you don't have all the guys you need to fly," Stallworth Dixon said.

Delta Air Lines told me they intend to cancel flights a day in advance to give customers more options before heading to the airport.

Travel agent Sheri Langwald from The World of Travel in Bloomfield Hills offered advice for travelers to keep their trips on track.

"The first thing I tell my clients is before they leave the house is to check the status to the flight. Number two is to look for other options just in case their flight is canceled or delayed. Like let's say you're flying to Miami, you can also look into flying into Fort Lauderdale," Langwald said.

Langwald also recommends travel insurance.

"This is one of the perfect reasons in case of any delays or cancellations, usually one of the things that's covered," Langwald said.

With no deal in sight to end the government shutdown, the impact could be severe as people travel to see family and friends for the Thanksgiving holiday.

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The FBI conducted raids at multiple locations in Dearborn and Inkster on Friday, with Director Kash Patel announcing on social media that the agency had thwarted a potential terror attack planned for Halloween weekend in Michigan.

Federal agents raided homes on Horger and Middlepointe streets in Dearborn, along with another location in Inkster. Multiple people were arrested during the operations, which left local communities in shock.

Related: Michigan lawyer says a Halloween terror plot that FBI Director Kash Patel described never existed

7 News Detroit spoke with Former FBI assistant director Daniel Roberts who is also a retired Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Michigan Division to understand what goes on behind the scenes in terrorism investigations like this one.

"Most of the time, they involve what's called the Joint Terrorism Task Force or JTTF, which is the FBI working in partnership with many state and local police departments such as the Michigan State Police, Detroit Police, and others," Roberts said.

Roberts explained that terrorism investigations are complex and time-consuming operations.

"Those cases tend to go on for a lengthy period of time, and they involve a lot of very sophisticated investigative techniques. A lot of it like technical coverage, maybe even informant usage, and things like that," Roberts said.

Holly Kemp, who lives near one of the raided homes in Dearborn, described the dramatic scene that unfolded Friday morning.

"My husband jumped of bed because he heard a bang sound and all of a sudden he heard bang, bang, bang so he thought it was a shotgun and he looked out the window and saw a bunch of cop lights," Kemp said.

At least two suspects were arrested, and three others were taken in for questioning. The individuals reportedly ranged in age from 16 to 20 years old.

A defense attorney for one of the suspects has stated there was never a plot to carry out a terror attack.

Roberts noted that having minors involved in the case could create additional legal complications.

"There really is no ability for the federal government to charge a minor, someone under the age of 18 years old. So that's why the JTTF that I mentioned before is so important because one of the partners, one of the state or local law enforcement partners, is likely gonna have to deal with charges in that case," Roberts said.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to examine the details of the alleged plot.

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Metro Detroit families who depend on SNAP benefits are turning to food banks and pantries as government assistance remains uncertain during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Diamonique Wright, a Detroit mother of four who works part time and receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, knows the daily struggle of making ends meet.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report below: Metro Detroit families turn to food banks as SNAP benefits remain in limbo during shutdown

"You just have to make it work and day by day, minute by minute, hour by hour, you just have to do what you have to do," Wright said.

For Wright and her family, SNAP benefits provide essential support that extends far beyond just food assistance.

"It is a plus for me being a mom of four and it does goes a long way. It truly goes a long way it gives my children the food that they need, it gives me a peace of mind at the end of the night knowing that they do have food to eat," Wright said.

Wright is among more than 1.4 million Michiganders who rely on SNAP each month for food assistance. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees SNAP, stated in a memo that no benefits will be issued on Nov. 1.

List: Food resources in metro Detroit as pause in SNAP funding expected

The impact extends beyond individual families, affecting entire communities and support networks.

"For a lot of people who don't understand it, saying it doesn't really hurt them, it may not hurt you, but you have to think about your family members that it does hurt, grandparents, aunts, uncles," Wright said.

Adrian Lewis, CEO of Forgotten Harvest, reports seeing increased demand across their 200 food pantries. The organization has experienced a combined 15% increase in demand.

"Inflation has definitely driven that demand for quite some time. When you compound that with removing SNAP benefits, of course that's going to be as much as double, I believe," Lewis said.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that $4.5 million will be going to the Food Bank Council of Michigan, helping organizations like Forgotten Harvest.

As the political stalemate continues in Washington D.C., Wright has a direct message for lawmakers.

"Just make a decision, people are out here really suffering, you know, hungry," Wright said.

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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.