Updated: January 26, 2015 10:29 AM [ET] | Originally published: November 24, 2014 3:02 PM EST ;
W ith a potentially historic winter storm barreling down on the northeastern United States Monday evening into Tuesday, there’s a few people who will have the tougher-than-usual job of figuring out which unlucky flights must be cancelled.
Meet the men and women operating the Cancellator, a computer system that decides whether or not you’ll be scrambling to rebook your January travel plans. The Cancellator and systems like it use an algorithm with some human input to decide which flights to delay or cancel in order to preserve as much of an airline’s original schedule as possible. The program’s ultimate goal is to nix flights well ahead of time, that way airlines can notify passengers of the changes before they head out for the airport — giving customers time to make alternate plans.
Want to know more about the software and employees deciding to cancel your flight? Read TIME’s March 3, 2014 cover story on airline cancellations here.
East Coast Readies Itself for Up to 3 Feet of Snow A couple kisses during a blizzard in Times Square in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Benjamin Lowy—Getty Images Reportage for TIME A man crosses the street in New York City during a snow storm in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Benjamin Lowy—Getty Images Reportage for TIME People walk in front of the Manhattan Bridge in the DUMBO neighborhood as it snows in Brooklyn, NY on Jan. 26, 2015 Andrew Hinderaker A man walks through the middle of a snow storm in Times Square, New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Benjamin Lowy—Getty Images Reportage for TIME A man waits to cross the street in Brooklyn, NY on Jan. 26, 2015. Andrew Hinderaker A pedestrian passes through Johnstown Central Park, in Johnstown, Pa., Monday, Jan. 26, 2015. Todd Berkey—The Tribune-Democrat/AP Fishing boats ride out the storm at dock in Scituate, Mass., on Jan. 27, 2015. Michael Dwyer—AP A worker pushes a snow blower down Lexington Avenue in Manhattan on Jan. 26, 2015. Carlo Allegri—Reuters A man stands in falling snow on West 42nd street in Times Square in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Mike Segar—Reuters Two people huddle for warmth on the street in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Benjamin Lowy—Getty Images Reportage for TIME A man strolls on a walking path at Liberty State Park, with the Statue of Liberty in the distance, in Jersey City, N.J. on Jan. 26, 2015. Julio Cortez—AP A tugboat sails on the East River during a snow storm in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Jewel Samad—AFP/Getty Images People walk over the Brooklyn Bridge during a large winter storm in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Andrew Kelly—EPA A man crosses the street during a snow storm in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Benjamin Lowy—Getty Images Reportage for TIME A woman walks though Central Park as it snows in the Manhattan borough of New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Carlo Allegri—Reuters Children play in Central Park as it snows in the Manhattan borough of New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Carlo Allegri—Reuters Loaves of bread sit on a sparse shelf at a grocery store in Port Washington, New York on Jan. 26, 2015. Shannon Stapleton—Reuters A crewmember de-ices a Frontier Airlines plane at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, Jan. 26, 2015. Seth Wenig—AP Crews load road salt into trucks ahead of a major winter storm in Chelsea, Mass. on Jan. 26, 2015. Brian Snyder—Reuters Snow falls in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Benjamin Lowy—Getty Images Reportage for TIME More Must-Reads from TIME How the Economy is Doing in the Swing States Democrats Believe This Might Be An Abortion Election Our Guide to Voting in the 2024 Election Mel Robbins Will Make You Do It Why Vinegar Is So Good for You You Don’t Have to Dread the End of Daylight Saving The 20 Best Halloween TV Episodes of All Time Meet TIME's Newest Class of Next Generation Leaders