To access the first resource, click here to find tips on avoiding delays at major airports from the folks who know the intricacies of the nation’s air traffic control system better than anybody—NATCA’s controllers. As part of the service, which covers nearly two dozen airports, NATCA members offer tips on the best time of day to fly out of a specific airport and the best airports to connect through.

Leaving from San Francisco? You should try and depart between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., when there are fewer flights. If you head to Indianapolis, avoid evening arrivals and departures because of heavy traffic from the East Coast.

Another NATCA service, www.avoiddelays.com/, helps you find everything you need to know before booking and boarding your flight. Find the most delayed departure and arrival airports, the worst times to fly at major airports and which flights are most delay-prone. Take a look at statistics from comparable periods in 2006 to provide an apples-to-apples comparison of flight schedules and patterns in the summer and fall months that travelers are about to encounter.

NATCA can’t do much about long security lines, unruly children or travelers with cumbersome carry-ons, food bags, laptops and bad attitudes. But these two services can get you off to a good start.

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