The reason for my answer isn't what you might expect. It isn't that I think airplanes will be falling out of the sky. I feel that the odds of this happening are virtually zero. My reasoning is much more mundane: personal comfort. I don't want to be stuck anywhere for an extended period of time, especially not in an airport!

I think there is a good chance that airline flights will be delayed or cancelled due to a number of potential problems. Think of all the things, including computer systems, which must work perfectly for you to get to or from your destination via an airliner. The air traffic control system must be working. If the primary system fails then backup systems will take over, but they can't handle the normal number of scheduled flights. Flight crews must be scheduled to handle each flight and they must arrive in time to work their flight. If they get stuck somewhere else your flight won't take off on time Maintenance for all of the equipment must be done correctly and on time. It also must be checked off and logged by inspectors. Fuel, parts, de-icer, food, cleaning, etc. must all be delivered in time for your flight to take off. The computers that control gate assignments, ticket counters, baggage carousels, etc. must all be working perfectly or flights will be delayed or cancelled.

Even in a normal year there is a significant chance of severe weather disrupting your travel plans. The holiday season of 1998 saw tens of thousands of travelers stuck in airports for days at a time because of bad weather. Do you really want to be stuck in that mess? I know I don't. That's why I plan to be comfortably at home.

Kelly C. Bourne is the author of Year 2000 Solutions for Dummies.