So, here I sit in the airport terminal in Jacksonville, FL wonderwing, why is it that rain can cause such serious problems for air travel. This question is of course followed by questions like “Why do I always end up on connecting flights through JFK?” and “Why does JFK consistently have the worst weather delays in the US?” and then by “Tell me again why airlines like JFK?”.
Seriously, I have never once in my air traveling life, flown through JFK without experiencing some sort of delay. About the only benefit of the JFK delays has been the interesting people I have met, and the free drinks I have received. You see, apparently the WiFi at JFK is particularly troublesome, and I have done brisk “business” helping stressed travellers get their wireless connections to work. I have literally had a line of people wait for me to help them get their computer to connect.
I wonder if there is a business opportunity there? Hmmm… I will need to think on it.
Anyway, in the interest of assisting my fellow traveler, allow me to highlight some useful links to help pass the time while waiting to board a delayed flight.
1) FlightAware.com : This site is very useful. Although the data is not completely up to date (there are some small delays of approximately 6 minutes, though I have seen longer and shorter). What makes this site so useful is the ability to see the air traffic information about individual airports and flights. For example, below is a picture of the air traffic around JFK right now. This allows me to better understand the chances of departure for my flight, or reasons for delay, etc. I actually have take the computer to the gate agent and complained that they are telling passengers that the flight is on-time, while I can see our plane hasn’t even left the airport it is coming from. Funny enough, this was at JFK! 
Anyway, give it a look.
2) Netflix.com : Netflix is awesome because of their Watch It Now feature. This means that you can watch movies on your laptop with a wireless connection and airport WiFi.
3) Revision3.com : I recommend this online network for fun vidcast viewing. Shows like The Totally Rad Show and Diggnation are totally cool.
UPDATE : I am now apparently a information resource at the gate. As there are no updates on departure and flight information, it appears that people overheard me helping the person next to me with flight information on FlightAware, and so they are now asking me from help. What is even better is the stink-eye being given to me by the flight crew running the desk next to me not five feet away as I give passengers near me current flight information. MUAHAHAHAHA! It should be noted the desk I am at is not my airlines, but was instead close to the only free outlet in this region of the terminal.
