Computer Glitch Snarls Air Traffic

If you're flying off today on a business trip (or a much-needed vacation), be ready to get frustrated. A computer glitch at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport—the nation's busiest airport—led to the cancellation of most departing flights this morning.

The problems in Atlanta have a ripple effect. If planes can't leave Atlanta, they can't land in New York and then take off again for Chicago. Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

Joe Brancatelli, our Seat 2B columnist, who also operates the business travel site JoeSentMe.com, sent out an email to his subscribers this morning. "It's déjà vu all over again," he wrote, referring to a similar breakdown last year.

"Needless to say, this is a very fluid situation. The hackneyed old advice—contact your carrier before you go to the airport—probably won't yield much useful information. Even your carrier might not know what is going on right now. And remember: morning delays eventually cascade throughout the system, going East to West and then affecting later-in-the-day West to East flights. Assume the worst. Do check with your airline (without suspending disbelief) and double-check with Flight Stats if you're scheduled to fly today. It might be wise to reschedule to another day if you can. If you can't, or if you're already at the airport, hang on."