Why has the polar vortex canceled so many flights? Blame the humans

Now you know the characteristics of the polar vortex. Rivers and lakes smothered by ice. Buckets of boiling water foolishness in snow clouds. Potential travelers stranded at airports suffer delays and cancellations. Indeed, airlines canceled more than half of flights to O'Hare International and Chicago Midway International on Wednesday. Nationally, nearly 2,600 have been canceled.

Which, when you really think about it, may seem strange, because planes spend most of their lives at altitudes where temperatures are sitting at tens of degrees below the freezing point. They should be cheerful like the Polar Bears at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago and the Cbadie Biped Robot.

But the problem, you see, is not the planes. It's the people. "The most important factor is the human factor," says Jeff Kohlman of the aviation management consulting group in Colorado. You know, these people in fluorescent clothes stacking their suitcases in cargo holds, pumping fuel, towing planes, putting tires under pressure.

"When you go down below 35 degrees Fahrenheit, everything starts to slow down," says Kohlman. You may have to start de-icing aircraft, on the one hand, which will create delays. And even though the baggage handlers may be able to do their job with thick gloves, the maintenance agents who replace the bulbs and fix the keys on the locks must choose between warmth and dexterity. If temperatures drop to the point that it is dangerous for workers to stay outside for a long time, operations slow down even more. (Airlines installed temporary heated shelters and distributed hot chocolate and hand warmers to O'Hare, according to the Chicago Sun Times.)

Finally, these delays result in cancellations. Do not forget that the air system is closely connected, so that the problems of a node spread quickly. Pbadengers are starting to miss their connecting flights in large numbers. Combine them with people from the colder regions who can stay at home instead of braving the elements, and you can fly a half empty plane. "It may not be the best business decision to make," Kohlman says. And airlines only make this decision if the crew goes to the airport.

For example, planes – such as polar bears and robots – may not pay attention to the cold. But airport employees, like zookeepers and robotics, do it. And they are the ones who make them fly.

More great cable stories