Update on Today's Airport Messes; Continental Shuttering IAH

Here's a live update on today's flight cancellations from Flightaware.com

FlightAware, by the way, seems to be edging out FlightStats.com as the basic news-media go-to site for flight delays and cancellations information, probably because its text summary of the day's flight operations makes it easy for reporters to review. On the other hand, I'm seeing a much more detailed account of flight cancellations at my own favorite source, Flightstats.com. For example, Flightstats reports the cancellations at 1,113 today at Chicago O'Hare; Flightaware seems to be lagging on the O'Hare data. And both seem to be sucking wind, as they say, on the most current information at Houston, where Continental has basically pulled the plug on operations starting late this afternoon.

Anyway, I am glad to see that I have finally shamed lazy reporters to at least make an attempt to get the numbers straight, and stop relying on those decades-old Rolodex contacts for the PR guy at the local airport who doesn't know a delay from a delicatessen. (Or worse, using the the FAA, whose supposedly live "flight delays" online map is simply a fiction).

Meanwhile, Continental Airlines intends to basically shut down its major hub at the amusingly named Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, better known among pilots as Houston Intergalactic. SO if you're flying today to Housoton, or with a a connection through Houston, be very aware.

Here is Continental's announcement this morning:

"As of 9:04 a.m. Central, Thu., Feb. 3, 2011 -- DUE TO WINTRY CONDITIONS IN THE SOUTH - CONTINENTAL AIRLINES WILL SUSPEND MOST OF ITS OPERATIONS TO/FROM HOUSTON INTERCONTINENTAL TODAY FEBRUARY 3RD STARTING AT 1800CST UNTIL FEBRUARY 4TH AT 1200CST. MANY FLIGHTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN CANCELED."


I watch this winter mess from warm and sunny Tuscon. Oh, wait a minute, it's sunny here but it sure ain't warm this morning. In fact, the last time southern Arizona had overnight temperatures as low as last night's (18 degrees in Tucson), Wyatt Earp was still a sheriff. But it's going to be in the 60s by noon, at least. And the usual warm weather will return this weekend. So yes, I will shut the heck up.

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