A ground stop is an order from the FAA that holds planes at the gate. Flights headed to an airport, or to every airport, do not take off until the stop is lifted.

Nobody can promise a time. Some lift in under an hour and some run all night. After it lifts, delays and cancellations keep coming for a while, so keep your airline app open.

If the airline cancels your flight and you choose not to go, U.S. rules say you can ask for a refund instead of a credit. Ask for the refund in those words.

Find power, water and your new gate first. Then pass the time: the Game Room works with no signal, and the bar shows who else is waiting at your airport.

Only when the delay is the airline's fault. A ground stop ordered by the FAA usually is not. Ask anyway, and keep your receipts.