My first time flying Spirit Airlines

I sat there at my computer with about 18 different browser tabs open. JetBlue, American Airlines, Expedia, Google Travel, Skyscanner, my calendar, my Chase Rewards page, and the Weather Channel.

It was Sunday night and I needed a flight for Tuesday back to NYC. After a 4-day road trip and another week of driving around Florida, I was ready to get home. But how was I going to do it?

The weekend’s winter storm had already started to batter New England. I read about two different flights that skidded off runways and more delays and cancellations. The reckless government shutdown affecting TSA security lines. And all I wanted was to get home to my own bed and my regular working life.

But things weren’t looking good. Last-minute fares on JetBlue were over $800 for flights from Fort Lauderdale to NYC; the same on United and American. My AAdvantage miles (usually my savior in these last-minute bookings) were at a premium and there were no direct routes…