I'm not an alum, so I can't speak with any authority here, but I believe historically the band always travels by bus. Nobody can control the timing of the 2009 Christmas Blizzard. So, the powers that be made the decision not to put these kids at risk by attempting this bus trip. I respect that. Would they have been able to get flights on short notice, and remain sane fiscally? Maybe, maybe not. How about getting their equipment there on time? I agree it will be crappy not having the band there, and it will be noticed. I'm not sure what the options are given the timing of this storm, though. If I were a big time donor with big bucks, I would have been on the phone as soon as dropping the band became an option, trying to work something out.