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About Patrick Smith
Expertise
I can answer queries on most any issue pertaining to commercial air travel -- from airline service and safety to technical questions about aircraft and flying. I am particularly knowledgable about the routes, service cultures, and safety records of the world's airlines.

Experience
Patrick Smith is an airline pilot and the author of Salon.com's popular "Ask the Pilot" series. His book, "Ask the Pilot -- Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel," was published by Riverhead/Penguin in 2004 and was Amazon's pick for the best travel book of that year.

Publications
Salon.com, various newspapers and magazines.

You are here: Experts > Shopping > Air Travel > Aviation/Flying > bad weather

Aviation/Flying - bad weather

Expert: Patrick Smith - 5/1/2008

Question
Should I change my flight?? I am in a wedding on Saturday in birmingham and i
am flying out of new orleans _ There is an 80% chance of rain with 12 mph
winds in New orleans and likely rain in alabama as well. What are my chances of
the flight being delayed?

Answer

An 80 percent chance of rain with 12 mph (i.e. light) winds is no reason to consider changing your flight.

It is impossible, however, to predict if there will be delays. Probably not, but who knows. Remember that most flight delays are not weather delays, per se, but *traffic* delays. The likelihood depends somewhat on if your flight is making a connection or not. Are you traveling nonstop to Birmingham, or connecting through ATL?

Meanwhile, you might find these articles of mine helpful...

iPhone commercial and weather delays http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2007/11/16/askthepilot254/

“Passenger Bill of Rights” and the guts of weather delays
http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2007/03/02/askthepilot223/

The art and science of weather delays
http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2007/02/22/askthepilot222/

Congestion and chaos
http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2007/07/13/askthepilot238/

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