The number of airline employees has been dwindling. As soon as you find out that your flight has been canceled or you'll miss a connecting flight, call reservations rather than stand in line. "A lot of people on your flight will have the same problem, but you're going to beat them to the punch," says Brett Snyder, a former airline employee who now pens the Cranky Flier blog. Most frequent fliers who qualify for preferred status have a dedicated number to reach the airline.

Another tip from Snyder: "Be nice. If you scream at someone, they're not going to go out of their way to get you where you need to go."