Hello,
Does anyone have information about when/why flights get cancelled?
We're traveling to Europe in the fall. I live in Memphis but it's common for folks to book flights out of Nashville because many times it's cheaper. I'm finding that flights on Kayak are a tiny bit less expensive from Memphis but I'm wondering what the odds are of a flight from Memphis being cancelled as opposed to one from Nashville, where more people could be flying from.
I could be getting paranoid but of course I've been planning the trip for so long and can't stand the thought of missing any of it, not to mention the $$ and vacation time down the drain. (My husband's co-worker lost about 4 days because of his outgoing flight being cancelled.)
Now we know that Delta will be pulling out of Memphis in September and this adds to my fear.
Is there a website that keeps track of these things? Or should I just keep my fingers crossed?
Thoughts anyone?
Thanks!

If the airline cancels your flight out of Memphis, they are responsible for getting you to your final destination. In the event this were to happen, get on the phone with your airline and discuss your various alternative. Remember - it's their job to get you to your final destination, but it's your job to be proactive in asserting your right as a consumer.

If you're really paranoid, get travel insurance in an adequate amount to cover any cancellation penalties in the event you're unable to get to Europe because of the cancellation of your flight on a common carrier.

Two clichés.
Roll with the punches
Don't worry it might not happen

Several questions:

Are you planning to fly Delta out of Memphis? And they are leaving Memphis in September? Then I would suggest NOT booking with them from Memphis - if they pull out, they have to get you on a flight but you may be presented with an unacceptable alternative.
For example, since there are no non stops from MEM-Europe. SO the risk you are taking is that if your Memphis flight is cancelled, there may be delays getting you to the next stop (let's say it's JFK) which may mean that you miss the second leg.
Given MEM and Nashville are both relatively small markets, I'd guess the chances of a flight cancellation are about equal in both, except for the Delta issue.

TO help maximize your chances, don't book Delta and DO book flights that use mainline jets (Boeing 737, 757, 767, Airbus 320 etc) and not tiny RJ's.

Delta is dehubbing Memphis not pulling out completely. The new schedule was released last month. I believe all flights to Atlanta are on mainline aircraft.

I work at an airport that I don't fly out of if I am going to Europe. I fly from Orlando and book a flight that I know has another flight later in the day or evening or has an alliance airline that they can get me on. I have seen so many people book the afternoon or last flight of the day to fly to Atlanta or Charlotte for their connection and there was a weather delay or mechanical problem. If it is weather than they don't have to do a thing for you. If it is their fault they will try and have even seen them put people on shuttles to take them to Orlando or Jax. Sometimes they can get them on a later flight but the flights have been so full that there isn't a seat to put them on. My friends lost a day and half during our recent trip because of weather in Lexington. They were to arrive early Saturday but got into Rome noon on Sunday. They had to fly through Chicago and lost their good seats. Who would have thought there would be ice in Kentucky in May?

Thanks everyone - lots of food for thought. No, it wasn't my intention to take a delta flt but I'm still not sure what the 5 (!!) of us will do. Gretchen - good advice!