<p>Hi all-- tomorrow is the long-awaited day when D and I fly from Boston to Pittsburgh for her CMU audition. Of course it is supposed to snow, just enough to disrupt everything. We rarely fly and…I’m not sure how to handle this. Is this small snowstorm enough to cause big delays and disruptions at these airports? Are there any frequent flyers with good advice?</p>
<p>Fly out this afternoon/evening.</p>
<p>US Air has flights leaving today for about $180 one way.
Best be in Pittsburgh tonite.
Gotta be flexible in bad weather.</p>
<p>Or get on the road tout de suite. 570 miles, 9 hours, and if you leave soon, you’ll probably only hit snow the last bit of it. It’s been snowing here in Chicago for about 2-3 hours.</p>
<p>Being snowing here in Iowa all day – not a whole lot coming down, but the wind is really whipping it around. Almost blizzard conditions.</p>
<p>What B said @2. PIT forecast for tomorrow is snow and ice pellets. Snow beginning later tonight. [Weather</a> Forecast Pittsburgh International, PA | Pittsburgh International Weather | Wunderground](<a href=“Local Weather Forecast, News and Conditions | Weather Underground”>Local Weather Forecast, News and Conditions | Weather Underground) Forecast for BOS shows snow beginning mid-morning Saturday [Weather</a> Forecast Logan International, MA | Logan International Weather | Wunderground](<a href=“Local Weather Forecast, News and Conditions | Weather Underground”>Local Weather Forecast, News and Conditions | Weather Underground) so chances are much better for a flight cancellation tomorrow. Good luck!</p>
<p>oh dear, you’re not cheering me up! USair won’t let me change the flight and I bought travel insurance – but of course now it turns out that it’s only good if the flight is cancelled by the airline-- which they won’t do until it’s too late. I guess I’ll go up to Boston tonight so at least the driving part is done.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>I talked to a friend earlier today who is in Pittsburgh. We were supposed to go for the weekend and see two hockey games. My H was smart and flew out this morning, which I couldn’t do. So, my plan was to drive down tomorrow morning, which is about a 5 hour drive. My friend called to tell me about the winter storm warning there and I’ve decided not to go. Now I’m used to driving in snow and have been doing it for most of my adult life but in Pittsburgh, they’re calling for a mix of snow and freezing rain which could make for very icy conditions. Too many hills around there for my liking to deal with ice. I get to stay home while they have all the fun! </p>
<p>There’s no telling how it will affect the airports but my guess is that there will be some delays. Delays are a fact of life these days at many airports even with good weather. Or maybe they’ll be totally wrong and the storm won’t hit them but I wouldn’t count on that. This system is fairly large because it’s hitting us here, too. Good luck to you and safe travels.</p>
<p>It is worth the money and piece of mind to be in Pittsburgh tonite.
The lost opportunity to audition will never be forgotten if your flight is canceled or you are delayed.
The $500 you need to spend to get to Pittsburgh tonight will be well spent.
IMHO IMHO IMHO</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>No. Probably not. They are only talking 3 to 6 inches of snow. Maybe some delayed flights, but probably no major disruptions. Chicago O’Hare is running pretty much on time right now according to their arrivals/departures.</p>
<p>Thank you-- you are both probably right-- but I think $500 means too much to me right now so I will have to take a chance on interesteddad’s advice. I kind of can’t believe that the airline won’t just switch us to an earlier flight-- but I guess that shows just how naive I am!!</p>
<p>Hope all goes well for you and your d.</p>
<p>Call back US Air and ask to speak to a supervisor immediately. United has already included this storm on their list of storms where change fees are waived. Tell them that and that if they don’t change without fees or penalties you will never use them again. (I’m serious about the last point - US Air is on life support as an independent airline, but no one wants them)</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.continental.com/CMS/en-US/travel/news/Pages/travelnotices.aspx?SID=3617D401AB454845A928D4FFD8552CC8&v_ctrk=HHLN$0-772-2045-1-1156”>http://www.continental.com/CMS/en-US/travel/news/Pages/travelnotices.aspx?SID=3617D401AB454845A928D4FFD8552CC8&v_ctrk=HHLN$0-772-2045-1-1156</a></p>
<p>That said, both Boston & Pittsburgh are cities that can handle 3-6", so it shouldn’t be too bad.</p>
<p>USAir will waive change fees…as long as we switch to a later flight! I detest USAir, always have. But maybe I should try another call.</p>
<p>The winter advisory for Pittsburgh goes until 1 PM tomorrow. The NWS forecast for here doesn’t look that bad, the local forecasters are always overly pessimistic. PIT does as a pretty good job in snow. (I haven’t looked to see if you will have issues in Boston, you may want to check where your flight originates.) You will probably be delayed, but should get here eventually. A lot depends on what time your flight is and when the audition is. I am not a US Air fan either, but often end up on them. My H is flying out of PIT at 6:30 AM tomorrow and concerned also. Good luck whatever you decide!</p>
<p>Gwen, You might want to call CMU, some Sat events are being cancelled in this area.</p>
<p>Thanks guys-- we’re flying out of Boston 10:30-- so the weather will decide it. I hope your H gets out, mamabear! The forecasts are always so Henny Penny! So I’m hoping this will be no exception.</p>
<p>CMU staff and Adcoms are top notch and wonderful.
CMU MOM here of not one but two CMU students!</p>
<p>Ask your daughter to be proactive and email the audition contact person and the admissions staff (I would recommend a specific person rather than general email_ I’ll PM you).
Tell them you wanted to put them on alert in case your flight is cancelled and that if that happens, will they allow the audition in a few days later?</p>
<p>Pittsburgh screwed up very badly last year in a snow storm and are taking all precautions to avoid the same embarrassment- if you land, you’ll be fine once there.
If you can, stay at a hotel right near the institution within walking distance-- Holiday Inn on Lyntonn street. It’s nice, and has a CMU rate. Ask for a room that is NOT on the kitchen side - but facing the other direction (they have a BBQ pitt in the kitchen).</p>
<p>Good Luck ! Break a leg!</p>
<p>Tell us how it goes on the CMU threads!</p>
<p>I know it is too late, but how did it turnout?. I am curious. Our son was supposed to fly out of Hou-Pit via Chicago on Saturday (1/21). We changed the plans. He flew out today (Sun 1/22) via BWI. Today the entire trip was smooth.</p>
<p>My H’s plane got out fine Saturday morning. The snow had stopped by 7 AM, and I think the freezing rain/ice was farther south than the airport. I know Gwen made it here, I saw her post somewhere about being in Oakland (location of CMU & Pitt).</p>
<p>Haha, thankyou all for the advice and thoughts! Yes, we made it-- by driving to Boston and staying overnight before the flight. We were delayed but it didn’t set anything awry. Loved the city of Pittsburgh (we’d never been before). Loved CMU–professors and students could not have been nicer or more welcoming. And we were kept warm by the good wishes of the CC community as we traveled!</p>