OH, just watch out for flooded roads in RI and Mass.

Thanks for all the great advice, everyone! I have been checking flight statuses on United and many Providence/Boston bound flights are cancelled already!! This concerns me a great deal and I have looked into hostel reservations in Chicago already (I'm on really tight budget- starving college student ). I worry that by tonight, the cancellations will have a ripple effect across the U.S. and my Chicago-bound flight may be delayed as well. If by some miracle, I do end up in Providence before Sat. night, I will surely sit tight and wait for conditions to improve. Snow/ice/sleet + inexperienced winter driver + nighttime conditions = not a good situation! I found a Knights Inn in Seekonk, MA for about $60/a night...good find? Any suggestions?

Due to the weather United is allowing travelers to reschedule without any fee.

www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52164,00.html

Flights for today are being canceled. There should not be a ripple effect throughout the system for tomorrow. Chicago is an UAL hub, and canceling today is a preemptive move to make sure they can recover a full schedule sooner rather than later.

If you have the flexibility, your safest bet may be to call UAL and reschedule per their website.

"I found a Knights Inn in Seekonk, MA for about $60/a night...good find? Any suggestions?"

The Comfort Inn in Pawtucket, just north of the Providence city line, costs a little more, but will be much less confusing and scary to get to -- it's right at Exit 27 on Rt 95, heading north from the airport. The "Providence" airport is actually in Warwick, just south of the city. Seekonk will be longer to travel and also a bit in the wrong direction for heading northbound later.

If you are budget, just pack some soap and a washcloth in your carry-on, along with toothpaste and a toothbrush. Sleep in the airport and clean yourself up in the restroom in the morning. I've done it once at LAX. Not fun, but cheap and easy.

I really think the roads will be fine by tomorrow night.

Oh, that was for Chicago

Since my arriving in Providence at the scheduled time is looking grimmer by the hour, I decided to book a hostel bed in Chicago for the night. If, by some miracle, I am able to spend the night in Providence, I'll just lose 2 bucks or so, not bad. I read that the Radisson O'Hare isn't bad and I found rooms for $80/night...a bit too expensive, but it's good to have options.

Rizzo, it depends on the situation at the airport. If I'm delayed for 6 hours or less, I'll just hang out at the airport...but if I have more time, I'd like to get out and explore the city a bit- I've never been! O'Hare is a bit far from downtown though, right? I'll just roll with the punches, after all, this IS an adventure.

Oh, are toothpaste/Listerine allowed in carry-ons again?

Yes, as long as they are 3 ounces or less and put inside a clear ziploc bag.

quart size ziplock

Happy Trails brushfire fairytale!

I think you will do just fine. South has turned to sleet and rain, but things should be looking up for your arrival, and you will have a beautiful drive up north with great snow covered scenery.

I'm a believer!!!! Safe journey!

I'm leaving for the airport soon, so far my flights are on-time, and I'll stay optimistic. If I'm stuck in Chicago, then I'll get to explore an amazing city I've never been to before. I'll be bringing my computer so I'll keep anyone who's interested updated. Thanks for all your help, everyone!

I just got home a few minutes ago, and in my area of Manhattan the uppest west side there is about 6-8" of ice on the street/sidewalks and the walking is NOT alot of fun. I actually saw a bus slide through an intersection, thankfully no accident, but the traveling tonight is not alot of fun.

I heard that LaGuardia and Newark were closed tonight and won't reopen till later tomorrow, and since I am in the flight path, I'll know exactly when the airport opens, lol.

Most of the problem here at least is that what is coming down is more ice and less snow. I just shoveled the front walk and steps, and it is HEAVY and difficult to shovel, so I'm guessing that the trucks are going to have a bit of a hard time cleaning up after this storm.

Hope everyone is in front of a fireplace with a warm cup of hot chocolate, or a hot toddy.

Oh and a HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!!!!!!

The storm has completely blown out to sea and UAL650 is en-route from ORD to PVD. Looks like brushfire will make it to PVD no problem.

Now, for the long drive from PVD to Montreal.

Brushfire is now en route, I hope. If she checks in again, I hope she heeds advice about road conditions. Everything south of NH is slush, big puddles which are soon to freeze into roadway skating rinks. North of NH border lots of snow - and that should actually be better. I still would not make trip at night.

Hello everyone, I'm in Providence! I was quite surprised that flights to PVD were on time, in fact, the only flights that were cancelled were bound for Newark, JFK, Baltimore, and Reagan I believe. My flight was completely full and the flight attendant said there was 74 passengers on standby...maybe because this is the first Providence-bound flight after all those cancellations yesterday. There is much snow on the ground but the roads and freeway (95) are clear, and it is FREEZING. I'm hiding out in the library because it is the only place that can feed my internet-addiction AND return my body temperature to normal. Ironically, my FRIEND's flight from Seattle to Detroit was delayed, so he's missing the connection to PVD and will arrive here in the morning, which is for the best since road conditions will be better by then. I am still looking for a place to stay tonight, somewhere near the airport w/ wireless but near civilization too, as in not in an industrial zone, and under $50 bucks if possible. My search has not been very successful so far. I walked around downtown for a bit and it was so cold and deserted that I gave up. Plus, the city reminds me of Kansas City, which isn't a good thing. (Oh, I'm also a "he" haha) Thanks everyone! Happy St Patrick's.

Glad you made it safely. Too bad about your friend being delayed, but as you said, you will have clear sailing tomorrow - my son north of Waterville, Maine tells me the roads were cleared by this morning, and my husband is in Portland, ME and all is well there, so you will be fine on the major roads you will be on.

Wish I could think of good accomodation for you tonight.Perhaps someone else can help you out -
enjoy your trip !

If you can't find any youth hostel type lodging, don't forget to try the YMCA - some are quite nice, depends on the city and location - and if all else fails, ask the local police or fire, they never steer me wrong on anything including the best lunch spots in every city !

Apologies for thinking you had a sex-change operation while on your flight, Mr. Brushfire.

In nice weather, Providence is lovely - but it is also extremely windy and miserable in rotten weather. I went to school in Providence and for some strange reason it seems more often to get rain versus snow than cities either north or south.

Have a safe trip and if I get any brainstorms about lodging, I will let you know.

On Travelocity website they list Extended Stay Providence/Warwick - close to airport - for $64 for tonight.