Be Prepared When Bad Weather Strikes

Air travel can be dicey when the weather outside is frightful, so heed these tips from Fare Compare CEO Rick Seaney if you think you might be affected by bad weather:

* Before heading to the airport, check your flight status on the airline's or airport's Web site.

* Also, make sure you have your airline's phone number hand-programmed in your cell phone or written down somewhere handy with a stash of change for pay phones - so you can call the airline the minute your plans change.

* If you're already at the airport, you'll usually have better luck making alternative arrangements through the gate agent rather than the ticket agent, so head to the gate pronto.

* Anytime you're stuck waiting in line, maximize your chances of reaching someone by getting on the phone with the airline, too.

* If bad weather is going to cause you to get to the airport late and miss your flight, call the airline immediately to get put on the stand-by list. Ditto if you know you're going to miss your connecting flight.