Sandy disrupting life in the nation’s eastern portion

Ahead of Hurricane Sandy’s landfall in the U.S., the storm already is causing widespread disruptions for millions of travelers, with thousands of flights cancelled, mass transit shutdowns in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., and Amtrak cancellations across the Northeast. More than 7,000 flights were cancelled Sunday and Monday, affected travelers around the world. Further cancellations were likely into Tuesday and Wednesday. According to FlightAware.com,the most affected hub was Philadelphia, with 1,084 cancellations scheduled for Monday. In New York and New Jersey, airports remain open although all flights in and out have been suspended, according to the Port Authority, which is encouraging travelers not to head to the airports. Airlines abroad have cancelled most flights to the U.S., including British Airways and German carrier Lufthansa. Lufthansa expects to resume flights to three U.S. destinations on Tuesday afternoon, but says it is monitoring developments closely, NBC News reported. Major airlines are offering waivers to customers who wish to reschedule their flights without paying the typical fee of up to $150. To cancel a ticket, passengers should call the airline. Don Morelli, a meteorologist with WSI, a sister company of The Weather Channel, said major flight delays and airport closings were likely to continue through Tuesday.  For the Golden Corner of South Carolina, Sandy is expected to bring winds gusting up to 50 MPH, powerful enough to down trees and power lines.  Driving could prove dangerous over the next few days,especially for those who operate high-profile vehicles.