Air is not always the fastest way to travel! For shorter distances, check trains, buses and even private limo services. When you factor in airport delays, missed connections, lost baggage and the fact that the limo provides door-to-door service - you might be surprised to find that a charter trip is shorter and costs less than an airplane flight, especially if several people are travelling.

If your flight is canceled on the "final destination hop", look in to renting a car one-way. There are probably several others in the same situation, and you may be able to split the cost. (I'm from Binghamton, NY, and the Philly-Bingo flight is frequently canceled. It's a 3-hour drive, which is less than the wait for the next flight - which may be canceled too.)