I was reading in Julianne Chase's book "Walking Tours of the Inside Passage" that sometimes planes are delayed getting into Juneau from Seattle or Anchorage by one day or more! That could sure put a kink into an itinerary! Has anyone experienced this? It makes me wonder if I should fly into Ketchikan and head north to Juneau on the ferry instead of the other way around!

Rarely happens now. Alaska Airlines and airports use some of the most advanced navaids and landing systems going. There's no reason to replan your trip around such possibilities (which occur midwinter if at all anyway.) Of course delays can hit any airport. I'd bet ORD has more inoperable hours/year than JNU.

This is not pertaining to the Alaska Airlines flights in great numbers. But certainly a factor in small aircraft on scenic tours.

You're more apt to get a "fly-over" (where they can't land and have to land elsewhere) in Ketchican than you are in Juneau. Juneau can become fogged in, but more in the winter.

Actually, percentage-wise you've probably got the as much chance of not getting out of Seattle yet you wouldn't let that stop your plans, would you? I wouldn't worry about it in the summer.

I bonded with a group in the Seattle airport as we waited for our flight into Juneau. We had plans to depart on different days.

Imagine my surprise to see everyone there when I arrived at the airport to depart. The Juneau airport had been "socked in" for at least 3 days.

I was traveling over the Thanksgiving holidays.

Maybe the posters are right - the airport gets socked in during the winter and/or new equipment allows planes to land.

Triva question - Does anyone know what a "Juneau body" means in a classified ad for a used car?

My best guess is...we have trouble with the salty sea water rusting our the car's body, even if you don't do things like use it to trailer your boat.

I thinks its a rusted out body, especially around the wheel wells and any scratches, dings etc. But it's just a guess.

You got it. My friend that moved there was puzzled by the ads when he first moved there (he had ferried his car in). He told me that with the limited amount of paved roads (22 miles when I visited) people continually resell their cars as they move in and out and most used cars his roomate found for sale looked like Swiss cheese.

Coming from the SE, I was amazed at the concept and a Juneau body was one of the first things I wanted to see! (Sad, isn't it?)