I don't get it? You were in FLL and you chose to drive all the way to MCO for 9 hours to pay 1000 for a ticket???
Did you ever consider calling any other airline ? Did you ever consider flying to DCA/BWI ? Considering how many airlines operated between WAS and south Florida (Miami, FLL, and PBI) I am surpised you have not tried to get a flight out of any of those 3 airports.