How many flights do you think Dispatch deals with? ONE?

We need to remember that a vacation is not necessarily synonymous with becoming an airline’s self-loading cargo; and there are other alternatives besides a stultifying staycation. Airline executives believe they can get away with treating their paying customers like rubbish, and fleecing them with an endless array of fees, because there is no alternative. We might grumble, but they know that we’ll be back at the airport with our shoes off and our wallets open sooner rather than later.

But the fact is that there are alternatives. The alternatives might not be desirable, convenient, or even safe (e.g., Greyhound’s dodgy terminals), but it’s worth at least investigating them anyway. I have long believed that airline executives actually like to hear stories about disgruntled passengers because each one is a testimonial to the effectiveness of their slash-and-burn cost cutting. Refusing to buy their degraded product (whenever that’s possible) is the only message we can send them that stands any chance of being heard in the executive suite. Looking at available alternatives empowers us, even if we ultimately opt for an airline veal pen.

The “all knowing” passenger can be told the exact explanation as stated above and still NOT believe you. Like, I’ve MADE UP some silly explanation that a weather cell is sitting over New Jersey and your flight to New York is delayed. I’ve said this for yearsssssss: Weather, doesnt always have to be at your destination to delay your flight. I like the ones who shove their blackberries in your face and proclaim their weather experts (showing you weather information), that we’re lying, and want the real explanation. Could it be that the alternate airport, in the event of a diversion, may be experiencing weather issues as well?