You’ve seen the news: snow and ice in much of the nation (and I can tell you the roads in Dallas were very icy this morning).

If you’re supposed to fly today, one word of advice: don’t.

Stay home and avoid the mess at the airports:

•  Take advantage of the airline “change fee” waivers: Contact your airline to reschedule your flight without having to pay the $150 change fee.
• Don’t get stuck: Being at the airport is no guarantee of quick rescheduling; a colleague’s wife who was scheduled to fly today just learned she won’t depart snowbound Scotland until Friday

Already at the airport? Contact your airline immediately. More tips:

• Multi-task communications: If your flight is canceled or delayed, immediately get in line and listen to the gate agent; at the same time, call the airline (it may be quicker)
• Use your elite miles status: If your status entitles you to a dedicated airline phone number, use it
• Follow your airline on Twitter: Airlines have staff monitoring social networks, and often respond more quickly to tweets for help than other communications

Important Note! There is a misconception that there is a federal requirement that forces airlines to provide you with hotel or meal vouchers in weather situations; there is not. Bad weather is considered outside an airline’s control. However, some airlines may offer such things as a goodwill gesture, and by all means, ask.

See more tips in my article called, Bad Weather Flight Delays and Cancelled Flights: What to Do Next?