As a Houstonian, let me just say that we have no clue how to function with winter weather. We close schools and most of the city with the forecast of potential ice/snow. If the temperature gets near 32 degrees, it is the lead story on the local news.

If bad weather actually hits the airport, few connections would be safe. We just do not have the equipment necessary (nor the experience) to handle ice/snow in an efficient manner.

UA certainly has issues, but the flexibility with their weather waivers has always been stellar for me. When I've had advanced notice, I've been able to pull off perfectly suitable (and often beneficial) alternatives.