Small Business

How to Handle Weather Delays

By Rick Broida

Updated on: August 16, 2007 / 12:01 PM EDT / MoneyWatch

Is there anything more aggravating than a flight that's delayed due to weather? I mean, you can't even blame the airlines! (Aw, go ahead -- they probably had some hand in it.) James Wysong, a flight attendant and author of two air-travel books, offers 10 tips on avoiding (or at least dealing with) weather delays. Many of them are chestnuts you've probably heard before, but it's all good advice nonetheless. Here's a sampling:

Fly nonstop. If possible, pay the extra amount and skip the connection. And if you have to connect, make the connection as early as possible. For example, if you are going to Germany from Santa Barbara and have a choice of connecting in New York at 5 p.m. or in Los Angeles at 1 p.m., go for the LAX connection.
Skip the long line. When your flight cancels due to weather, everyone heads to the long customer service line. Many airlines have customer service stations utilizing computers with printers and telephones. These areas can help you just as much, if not more, than the customer service desk.
Weather the storm. If all hotels are booked solid and the airport is closed, put on your headphones and go to your happy place. Realize that this frustrating experience is only a minor glitch that will eventually come to an end.

Allow me to add my own tip: Be prepared. I always assume my flight's going to be delayed, so I always bring a stack of magazines, a PDA full of books, an iPod or Zune stocked with TV shows, movies, and music -- you get the idea. And maddening as those delays can be, I try to look upon them as much-needed downtime. Photo by sookie. [via The Consumerist]