Flybar
'does little to endear people to the airline industry'
Eh? Care to expand. Slightly confused as to your attitude. As I read it an airline had to take a decision to cancel a flight due to weather and safety, and you seem to be suggesting that was the wrong choice?! So what if they were using MD83's out of one field and 73's out of another?! A shame that kids had their xmas visit ruined but I cant agree with your sentiment that by choosing safety an airline has done anything wrong!
Many variables with individual aircraft, types, crew qualifications, defects being carried that made the decision correct.