Worst Case Scenario (International Flights/Connections)

Hi, this is Ming.
Well, the title is a bit scary but don't worry too much. I just got back from Malaysia (home-country) and had arrived in State College in the wee hours of the morning. I would like to share my travelog with some of you especially the ones who will be traveling abroad (specifically to the US) for the first time.

My travel really started in Singapore's Changi Airport. My original flight was supposed to be Singapore-London-Newark. Then my flight from Singapore-London was delayed and I was rerouted to Singapore-Hongkong-San Francisco-Newark. Then a typhoon hit Hong Kong and the flight was delayed for 12 hours. By the time the plane arrive in San Francisco I have missed the Newark flight. So they put me in a local hotel and rerouted me (it's already 3 a.m by this time)to a Philadelphia flight the next day with the final destination being State College.

What I'm trying to say is "don't worry". Flights get rerouted and delayed all the time. But there are certain things that you must be aware of. E.g:
Don't assume that your flight is on-time all the time (check the airport departure monitor they don't always announce the delays.
Whenever you are rerouted, please double check your luggage with the airline to make sure they are getting rerouted as well.
While it is frustrating to be delayed, try to be polite when you are talking to the airline personnel. They can't control a lot of the events e.g hurricanes or even heavy traffic. They also just doing their job. Be nice.

On another point, when you enter the United States, via any of the airports, your luggage will checkout and returned to you. You must collect your luggage and check them in again for the next domestic connection. Again, make sure you keep the luggage tags issued to you when you check-in for the first time...you will need them in the event they get lost.

Note: As of Aug 7th 2008, State College Airport (or University Park Airport) is being renovated for expansion. Due to this, the luggage carousal (where you claim your baggage) is closed). You will need to collect the luggage outside the airport. Don't worry, there are signs. Speaking of signs, look out for ISS Orientation signs and posters in the airport (as well as the Bus Terminal)