Travelers at Orlando International Airport (MCO) were left stranded and sweating this week after one of the airportโs trams broke down, forcing passengers to walk the long outdoor path between terminals in Floridaโs sweltering August heat. The viral video, captioned โTram broke at MCO,โ shows a massive crowd of passengers shuffling along the elevated walkway, stretching as far as the eye can see. Airport vehicles and even a fire truck can be seen below as frustrated travelers made the long trek, some dragging bags and children behind them.
While no official explanation has been given yet for the Florida tram malfunction, social media users quickly shared their reactions, with many sympathizing with the stranded travelers. One user summed it up perfectly, โYou know theyโre soaking in sweat. August in Orlando is a hard no.โ Another said, โIโm sure it felt like actually hell.โ
Others were stunned to learn that the Florida airport even had a pedestrian walkway. โI didnโt even know it had a walking path,โ one commenter admitted, while another added, โThatโs so miserable.โ Several users also raised concerns about accessibility, with one writing, โOmg, I did not know this was something that could realistically happen. What about guests with disabilities??โ
Chaos at Florida Airport After Tram Breaks Down, Passengers Forced to Walk in Brutal Heat
Some tried to find the humor in the situation. One traveler joked, โBaby Iโm from NY, Iโm still making my flight,โ while another said, โSo glad I didnโt fly into Orlando yesterday!โ But for others, the breakdown was no laughing matter. โThat would be my literal nightmare,โ one anxious flyer commented, while another confessed, โIf Iโm not flying into Terminal C, Iโm not going,” referring to the newly opened Terminal at MCO that does not have a tram connecting the security screening building to the gates.
Many pointed out how uniquely miserable the situation must have been in Central Floridaโs humidity. โIโm sweating just watching this video,โ one wrote. Another shared their own horror story, โI had a layover in Orlando coming back from Jamaica once and the tram was down. They kept all international arrivals in the tram area blocked in with no way out for almost an hour. It was such a scary feeling to be trapped there. Iโll never do a layover after an international flight in Orlando again.โ
While the footage sparked plenty of memes, most commenters agreed that Orlando International needs a better backup plan. โThey really need an enclosed backup that has AC and people movers or something,โ one user suggested, echoing the sentiments of many who called the experience unbearable.
