oh great a winter storm watch

[halld6479]

I finally get the guts to fly and set up a trip as a family and now they are calling a winter storm watch in my area. I hurried and booked rooms at the hotel at the airport but several members have to drive in to the airport. our plane starts out at our local airport so no delays before us. one part of our family is going into chicago, but all the rest of us are headed to atlanta. Please everyone I need a truck load of pixie dust sent my way!!

 

[Tara]

I finally get the guts to fly and set up a trip as a family and now they are calling a winter storm watch in my area. I hurried and booked rooms at the hotel at the airport but several members have to drive in to the airport. our plane starts out at our local airport so no delays before us. one part of our family is going into chicago, but all the rest of us are headed to atlanta. Please everyone I need a truck load of pixie dust sent my way!!

headed your way -- living in the northeast, that is definitely the most worrisome part of planning a winter vacation!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

lol... misery loves company. I have to fly to Chicago tomorrow for the weekend. Brrrrrrrr!

Pxie dust your way!

 

[klmall]

We are also worrying for our trip in a couple of weeks, the first time since traveling in winter of '99 DH says not to worry about things you can't control but I worry anyway!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Be optimistic! That storm watch might be all wrong. And if not, some of these early season storms don't hang around too long, as the ground is still realtively warm. Last time we had one, they called for 4" of snow. Well-the grassy areas got that, but on the roads less than an inch. And that melted when the sun came up.

 

[halld6479]

well I am hoping if we make it to airport and set a couple hours before our flight we will at least be there should the airline decide they can fly out. I have never flown and know nothing about airports so hope if plane is delayed or cancelled because of storm they would put us on the first flight out then, is that likely? it shows the next plane out would be noonish instead of 5:30 am.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'm not certain exactly how they handle cancelled or late flights, as it's never happened to us. I'm sure someone on the Boards will have the answer.

 

[Detailor]

We tend to fly to Florida well into the winter (late Feb, early March) when the weather frequently dictates whether flights leave northern Vermont. In the twelve plus years we've gone to Disney, we've had flights cancelled twice due to weather - both with big storms that had cancelled the previous day's flights too. We've been lucky that we've made it to Orlando on the same day as originally planned, though much later than planned.
I think the keys are to listen to kmall's husband - some things are just out of our control AND when faced with a bad situation be nice! I can't tell you how many times I've been next in line after a ticketing agent has dealt with someone who just wants to get where they want to be and doesn't care how loud or abusive they are to the ticketing agent. We've ended up in first class just for being polite and patient after people like that.
They do try to get you on the next available flight that's cleared to go out, but may have to re-route you and of course they have to have space on other flights to help you out.

I hope that your flight gets out okay.

Dick Taylor

 

[safetymom]

Just keep checking your airline website for information. The best thing to do if there is nothing posted about delays is to head to the airport. Things can change quickly and if you aren't there you could miss the flight.

Also people may change their flight plans and you could ask to standby for an earlier flight. If they do cancel flights don't rebook for the first one of the morning when they resume. Typically they cancel that one also.

Keep your meds with you and anything you would need for the first 24 hours with you. That way if you have any delays you don't have problems with no meds, diapers, etc.

Also carry the 800 number for your airline with you. If cancellations are announced before running to the special services desk call the 800 number for new flight options. That will put you ahead of all those people standing in line fighting for those same seats. You should also have the phone numbers for your car rental agency also.

Just pack a lot of patience and you will be fine.

 

[bavaria]

Just pack a lot of patience and you will be fine.

once again 'mom' is giving excellent advice!!

OP, have a wonderful trip.... I fly through ORD all the time and usually find that I have fewer delays in winter than I do in summer

Best of luck!

 

[boomhauer]

We leave next Frday from Providence for Disney. My only concern has been getting delayed because of bad weather. Knock on wood, the current forecast doesn't call for any snow or rain. I've been checking daily for the past week.

 

[noahdove]

Yes, I know there is a watch here also...the first time I flew with my 2 daughters it was 0 degrees and the wind chill factor was 10 below....We had to change planes in Philly and it was 32 degrees and we thought it was a heat wave By the time we got to MCO it was 68 degrees and wow!!!! Same way on the way home....funny thing, I never even really thought about a delay or such...I'll not only be send you pixie dust, but a few prayers as well...As I tell my children, God is in Control...

 

[tlhbdm]

We have the same winter watch here in Iowa, personally I really don't think it is going to be to the mulititude they are saying, because it formed over baha, Mexico and storms get smaller over land so I personally think (could be totally wrong, but I have really good esp) that they are turning a mole hill into a mountain. And if it does happen, if I have plenty to do at home, considering my DF and I are getting married next Friday. I just hope the weather is good on Thursday so all of our out of town guests can make it in. We have one groomsman coming in from southern Missouri(we are in central IA, about a 6 hour drive), my dad coming in from northern Missouri, and DF and I flying out of Kansas City, so please send Pixie Dust our way.

 

[Vijoge]

Well, I'm about 30 miles from Chicago and there's no rain, no snow, no ice. It's cold and a bit windy but that's all.

 

[Charleyann]

FORECAST IS CALLING FOR 50 CM OF SNOW ON MONDAY ! I WANTA GO TO DISNEY ALREADY!

CHARLEYANN

 

[Vijoge]

Well, the weather turned here this afternoon. First it snowed a bit and then turned to freezing rain and ice. The roads around town resemble a skating rink. Salt trucks are out but people are sliding. It's cold and windy. Nice night to go to bed early and snuggle up with something warm. Well, after I get some chocolat-my son is baking brownies.