I thought that they were trying to GET to NYC. Maybe I misunderstood. But if that was the case, there's Boston, Hartford, Philly, DC, Newark, and a host of 2nd tier airports (White Plains, etc) within a couple of hours. I figure that they could hook a flight to ONE of them, maybe with a transfer. Then catch a train, rent a car, call a friend, take a bus, something.
I dunno, I've never flown on a Buddy Pass before.