As a frequent traveller, I get tired of hearing the once-a-year airline passenger complaining about the hassle of flying, and how it's all the fault of airlines. With air travel, a little common sense goes a long way.

My daughter and son-in-law were among those stranded in snowed-in New York City last week. They were to return to their home in Birmingham, Alabama, December 26. They finally arrived on Wednesday.

Rather than subject themselves to the mass campout at LaGuardia Airport, they made plans to stay with my son-in-law's aunt in Brooklyn when they realised the storm was coming. My daughter sought and got telephone and e-mail updates from Delta Air Lines about her flight status and cancellations. She booked these flights herself — without any platinum or gold memberships in this or that — so she was the average traveller, just a bit smarter.

No surprise

A year ago, I was among the delayed travellers when another big snowstorm hit New York City a week before Christmas. Our party of eight — which included my wife, her sister, our daughter and four of our friends - was scheduled to return home on December 19. At first, Delta rescheduled us for one day later, December 20. When we were rescheduled a second time, for December 25 at 4pm, we decided it was time for Plan B.

I called Hertz and reserved two cars, and we made the 1,28km drive home. It was kind of fun.

I wonder whether the third-party internet options for booking air travel these days make it harder for people to manage their flight plans and make changes when necessary. For my money and peace of mind, booking through the airline is best. Most airlines at least claim to guarantee lowest fares when booking directly.

Same carrier

Also, trying to stick with one airline rather than shopping around for an itinerary that uses two or more airlines, gives even the infrequent traveller a little expertise. Go ahead and register for the frequent-flyer programme so they know who you are.

Online booking has contributed to the low fares everyone is enjoying. Each carrier knows what the other charges and will reduce a ticket price by $1 (Dh3.67) if that moves it to the top of the list. Fifteen years ago, when I was travelling to New York City airports every other month, the fare was $900, no matter when I made the reservation and which airport I used. Recently I've paid $200 to $400 for the same flight, on the same airline. Reduced fares, of course, have also meant reduced services.

Next time you're in an airport, look at all of the families travelling. The airports and planes were still full. I would get back home each week and tell my wife there was no recession in the sky.

So I don't have a lot of pity for the so-called hassled passenger.