There was a time when I asked, "Is the flight on time?"
Now I ask (in as nice a way as possible):
1) Has the plane arrived at the gate yet?
If yes - then - Are the pilots and/or the flight attendents here as well and if not when are they expected? AND Are there any weather delays either here or at the destination?
If not - when is it due in? Has it left its point of departure? and If it hasn't left - When is it going to leave?
I know this sounds really anal but that type of information is not usually, if ever, volunteered and I sure know a whole lot more about when I might actually get on the plane and leave once I get those answers.