Cheektowaga, N.Y. (WBEN) - Despite travel concerns with the Federal Aviation Administration scaling back flights nationwide because of the government shutdown in Washington, members of "Bills Mafia" are still making the trek to South Florida for this weekend's divisional matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.
Some Bills fans flying out of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport on Friday have been prepping for this trip for weeks.
"It's great. The last year of the rivalry, so we were at the home Miami game. Now we're going to the away Miami game and closing the loop on it," said Bills fan Cal from Orchard Park.
"I can't wait. I work at a nursing home and our residents have been asking me all week long," added Bills fan Lisa from Rochester. "We were at the Chiefs game this past weekend, so we were cold, now we're going warm."
For many Bills fans, this trip to Miami is not the first time they've traveled to cheer on their favorite team away from the comforts of home. It's an opportunity that many members of "Bills Mafia" cherish, some on an annual basis.
"The Bills fans, the 'Mafia', we travel really well together. And down here, because of the weather - so much nicer than it is in Buffalo - it's a great place to go at this time of year," said Bills fan Jennifer from Clarence. "There's so many of us, it's just awesome."
"The camaraderie, meeting people, and just being a good group. We have our bars where we're going to go to, we know what the agenda is, and we're all in the same hotel. So we'll see each other constantly, and I'll make new friends I always do," added Bills fan Mike from Toronto.
The FAA's order to scale back flights is set to impact 40 major airports across the United States, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and even Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. The impact is expected to be felt across the U.S. air transportation system, affecting both passengers and package deliveries.
Fans don't seem too worried about getting to Florida for the game and the weekend's festivities. It's the trip back home that is most concerning to them.
"They're reducing 10% of the flights today, as of today. It's ridiculous that they're shutdown," said Bills fan Mark from Hamburg. "And [lawmakers are] getting paid, so why can't they pay the air traffic controllers? I don't get that. Yeah, I don't understand it."
"We are a little concerned. We're hoping when we get to New York to get our connecting flight that there's no interruptions. Fingers crossed," added Kelly from Hamburg.
Kickoff this Sunday is slated for 1 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.