Some info for those whose flights may be affected by weather
Note: I was on the fence about simply adding this to the logistics thread but felt that there is some stuff here of general interest and/or importance for those of us traveling by air. Mods feel free to remove if you think that makes sense.
I wanted to update folks who might be affected by the winter storm coming through what appears to be much of the eastern US tonight. Specifically I wanted to share a couple things I learned from a very helpful Delta agent about flights through the next 48 hours as well as tracking these things in general.
If you're one of the lucky folks who are going out today and aren't impacted, save me a seat at the bar in Houston...
For the rest of us*:
General stuff I learned
----The airlines are always last to make decisions so it makes sense to gather addl information (see below) when deciding whether to sit tight or audible plans.
----While I am sure most of you know of the flightaware.com website that tracks flights and (very helpfully) inbound equipment, the agent introduced me to https://nasstatus.faa.gov which has not only current airport status but also planned and/or possible closures, etc for all major airports
---The agent mentioned that checking the FAA site mid-afternoon is probably the best time to get a sense of where things are headed, even before the official comms come out to fliers and media outlets.
Specific stuff (mostly for us Northeasterners)
The bad news (for people in my situation):
----most everything out of BOS, JFK, LGA, and NWK both direct to Texas cities and connecting through Delta hubs is sold out. I didn't bother checking all other airlines but a quick expedia search showed only availability for flights out so late tonight that they likely could be impacted by the storm just as much as those tomorrow.
The good news:
----the game is on Monday, and apparently most airline agents are either CFB fans or are married to one.
The former point matters because things are supposed to die down towards the end of tomorrow, giving a window on the back end of Sunday to start clearing the gates and getting planes and crews where they need to go.
The latter point matters because I was told a few times that, given my son's and my circumstances , agents would use every tool at their disposal (including booking on other airlines) to get us to the game. I can only speak for my experience with Delta and as someone with some status there, but my sense was that their willingness to go "all in" on getting us to the game had more to do with general empathetic recognition of the importance/rarity of the situation.
Hope this helps, and that for those traveling you all make it safely to the game!
*For those wondering why I didn't make my flight out earlier, it was a combination of not having info at the time along with the fact that one of my friends from freshman year at Markley (who walked to my first UM game with me and my hallmates, making this somewhat ironic) is having her 50th birthday party up here tonight that I didn't want to miss.
January 6th, 2024 at 10:16 AM ^
Glad I'm going out of DC tomorrow. It's a mess here
January 6th, 2024 at 10:18 AM ^
On a brighter note, the Monday forecast in Houston would seem to favor a running vs passing attack.
Thunderstorms during the evening, then skies turning partly cloudy overnight. Low 41F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
January 6th, 2024 at 10:21 AM ^
I believe it has a retractable roof but I'm all for leaving it open.
January 6th, 2024 at 11:26 AM ^
I am all for it as well, but unfortunately they have announced that the roof will be closed.
January 6th, 2024 at 10:25 AM ^
the stadium has a retractable roof.
January 6th, 2024 at 10:20 AM ^
I don't know where to direct the email, but if there is going to be an inch of snow possible Monday evening into Tuesday morning I hope every single superintendent in Michigan calls a proactive snow day Monday afternoon.
January 6th, 2024 at 10:55 AM ^
wouldn't it be better to have that snow day on tuesday, thus allowing for a late night on monday?
January 6th, 2024 at 11:06 AM ^
How about NO! They don't have snow days like they use to. They send the kids home with laptops with 3-8 hours worth of school work and call it an " E leaning day". I'll be to hungover to play teacher
January 6th, 2024 at 10:24 AM ^
the current forecast says it is going to be rain but no snow in NY tomorrow. So i am betting that departure from JFK will not be greatly affected.
January 6th, 2024 at 10:41 AM ^
Counterpoint -- nearly everyone who is traveling is doing with some particular event in mind, whether it's a wedding, business meeting, cruise departure, or, in this case, a football game. Not all agents will be willing to go that extra mile, particularly when it would violate airline policy. (Most airlines will not book onto a non-partner airline for weather-related disruptions).
That said, if you do find yourself with a canceled or significantly delayed flight:
- Keep calm. Airline personnel frequently put up with awful abuse; you'll get better service if you're the rare, pleasant exception.
- Be prepared. Research to see what flights are still for sale that will get you where you need to go. Start with flights on your current airline. You may need to connect.
- Be creative. I once made it to a Michigan basketball game by flying AUS-LAX-DTW -- it was the only way to get to tip-off on time. (Now, if only Michigan had won...). During IRRegular OPerationS, or IRROPS, the regular routing rules go out the window.
- Be flexible. Consider alternate airports, even if it means incurring a one-way rental car fee. Reasonable alternates for Houston include Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio, each of which are between a 2.5 - 3.5 hour drive. In a pinch, you could also try New Orleans -- it's about a five-hour drive, or even Shreveport or Baton Rouge, each of which is a four-hour drive but has many fewer flights beyond Texas than the others. Also, if you are traveling in a group, be prepared to split up -- it'll be a lot easier to find 2 seats each on 2 flights than 4 seats on one.
- Be persistent. Keep watching flight inventory. During IRROPS, it changes constantly. Airlines will automatically rebook passengers onto flights; some of those passengers will then find something that suits them better and then free up that seat for somebody else. It's a giant game of musical chairs, and the way that you win is by refusing to give up. Just because a seat isn't available now doesn't mean it won't be available in five minutes.
- Understand your carrier. Southwest, Spirit, Allegiant, Frontier, and JetBlue are all various types of "low-cost carriers." One of the ways that these airlines offer low fares is by refusing to enter "interline agreements," which are what would allow airlines to offer travel on other carriers in the first place. So, whereas Delta can endorse a ticket for travel on United, a Delta ticket cannot be used on Southwest: Delta would have to whip out the corporate card and buy tickets at retail to put a passenger onto a Southwest flight. If you're asking to be moved to another carrier, keep this in mind.
- Illegal cabotage is still illegal. You cannot travel between two US points by connecting in another country unless at least one international leg is operated by an American airline. So, if your creativity has gotten you to, say, BOS-YYZ-IAH, that's great, but if both legs are operated by Air Canada, you likely won't be allowed to board.
- Sign up for an ExpertFlyer trial: https://www.expertflyer.com , then take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the interface. This allows you to see real-time inventory for most airlines (some low-cost carriers, including Southwest, will only have schedule information). You can also get flight status information for any flight in one place.
Good luck everyone. Travel safely. :)
January 6th, 2024 at 11:12 AM ^
This is great info, thanks for sharing it!
January 6th, 2024 at 12:03 PM ^
These are good tips. Some other tips during IRROPS:
- If our flight is canceled, try rebooking in the app while calling the airline while waiting in line for an airport agent. Do all three simultaneously. (If you have lounge membership, go there as agent lines are usually much shorter there, but if you do, I am assuming you know this already.)
- Reinforcing what J Redux said, agents are usually appreciate of suggestions if you can find alternate routings, particularly on their own airline.
January 6th, 2024 at 1:56 PM ^
To put #2 in other words ....... be proactive and solution-oriented.
Don't wait for the airline rep to come up with a second option. Have a few options already researched and prepared before you even chat with them.
I remember having a early evening DFW-CVG flight cancelled, and I had to be in Cinci the next morning. I suggested DFW-Louisville and DFW-Columbus, OH flights, but no seats were available. I then suggested a DFW-Phoenix connecting to a red-eye into Cinci. That did work. The whole discussion took 2 minutes, the airline rep thanked me for having some ideas already thought out.
January 6th, 2024 at 10:52 AM ^
There is still time to rent an SUV and road trip if necessary. Good luckaking the trip everyone, go blue
January 6th, 2024 at 12:51 PM ^
So how nervous should I be about my 2 pm flight on Monday DTW —-> IAH? Lands at 4 and gives me 2.5 hours to get to the stadium.
January 6th, 2024 at 12:55 PM ^
You serious, Clark? That plan was risky in perfect weather. You're talking about traveling through downtown Houston -- or way out your way on a ring road -- during rush hour on the way to an event. If you're renting a car, you also have to deal with the logistics of waiting for the rental car shuttle, picking it up, etc. With thunderstorms in the forecast for Monday in Houston, I'd absolutely be trying to take an earlier flight.
January 6th, 2024 at 1:33 PM ^
Unfortunately, work dictates it. Fortunately, I have reasonable safeguards protecting my investment (insured flights, can sell ticket close to face value that I paid, can just drive home and watch it withmy kids and other family).
Google maps said 44 min driving in traffic at 4/5 pm yesterday. No bags to deal with. Hopefully, I can find a friend in the flight and scoop an Uber/cab together. Wish me Luck!
January 6th, 2024 at 1:32 PM ^
When is the weather supposed to be bad enough to potentially cause delays in Houston?
I'm scheduled to fly Tampa --> IAH on Monday late morning, but booked a backup late night flight tomorrow. Not sure how much at risk I am.
January 6th, 2024 at 4:05 PM ^
Another heads up --- The FAA has grounded 171 Boeing planes (737 Max 9s) because of Friday evening's incident (a window blowing out on climb-out at 16,000 feet) on an Alaskan AIrline flight.
This is causing some cancellations. If you're current itinerary has you on a 737 Max 9, it may (this doesn't go for the entire fleet, only some of them) be an issue. Look proactively for an alternate.