How fortunate for me that I must have been booked on a flight to Hell with a weather forecast of below 32 degrees and snowing at least twice in the past couple years. Once I was told to quickly go to a neighboring gate to catch another airline's flight to my final destination. The other time, I had to ask to be put on a United flight. Although the answer was "no" the first time, the old adage, "if you don't like what the DL agent is telling you, hang up and call back" proved the cure.

This is one of those areas where doing your own research and being politely persistent can pay off.