When most students were driving south on Interstate-35 in their crimson apparel for the OU/Texas game, I was packing my bags and driving to the Will Rogers World Airport three hours before my flight to Denver took off. I always try to get to the airport early just so everything goes smoothly, which at first it did. Then while sitting on my flight waiting to depart, the pilot announced there would be a two-hour delay due to high winds in Denver. My trip to Durango, CO that was suppose to take around 5 hours, turned into 17 hours.

On top of being trapped on a plane at Will Rogers for two hours with a man sitting next to me, talking about his life story and the only source of entertainment being Sky Mall magazine, I got a text on my phone from the airlines saying my flight to Durango, CO was cancelled. When I finally arrived in Denver where I was suppose to catch my connecting flight, I panicked, having never been in this situation before.

With Thanksgiving break approaching, many students will be flying home to see their families or going on vacation. Winter is slowly creeping up and flights may be canceled due to snow or ice. So what is the best advice when your flight is canceled and you are stuck in an airport? Stay calm.

Before leaving the airport, make sure to have the airline’s number saved in your phone as well as a few other airlines.

When first hearing your flight is canceled, go to the airlines customer service desk. If the line is a mile long due to unhappy passengers, then leave the terminal and go to the airlines ticket desk. Sure it’s a hassle to go back through security, but there is usually a much smaller line. If your connecting flight is canceled make sure to tell the flight attendants on the first flight to pull your bags and send them to baggage claim.

This may not be the best advice for everyone, but when I talked with the woman at the ticket desk, I approached her with a weary expression, confiding in her that I needed to be on the earliest flight to Durango.

She could tell I’ve never been in this kind of situation before and found me a flight on another airline. She then proceeded to give me food vouchers and a complimentary hotel room at the Red Lion Hotel.

Although this helped me out tremendously, a New York Times article states “the Department of Transportation doesn’t require airlines to compensate passengers for damages when flights are delayed or canceled.” Even weather related issues may not guarantee you any reimbursements.

One more thing to consider, when a flight is canceled, social networking can be your best friend. Many airlines use Twitter as a way to inform you of any delays or cancellations. Always make sure to check the airlines’ Twitter feed so you can always be ahead of the other passengers.

Every flying situation is different, but this is the best advice I can give regarding flight cancellations. Even though I was in panic-mode in Denver, I used these tips to get on a flight the next day and eventually arrive at my destination, even though it cut into my relaxing fall break.

Lauren Duff is a journalism senior.