Can I just point out that the LHR/ Oslo comparison is untrue and unfair?
Firstly, it is not just British airports having problems with the weather - much of Europe is affected. Secondly, if we spent the time and money on Winter-proofing that the Norwegians do, we'd be in even more debt with very little to show for it. Snowfall in the South of England is only an intermittent occurrence, not an annual certainty. And no country in the world will allow aircraft to take off in certain conditions, regardless of runway conditions - if we are suffering heavy snow there really is nothing that can be done.
Also Heathrow is a major international hub, so the problems are due as much to planes being cancelled or running late elsewhere (and therefore not being turned around) as they are to do with conditions on the runway.
I suspect that comparison was made by a Brit anyway. It's all part of the "We're so shit" mentality that's completely opposite to the American belief that you live in the best country in the world. I expect the truth lies somewhere in between
All that said...
So sorry to hear about your MIL's problems Monster
What a shitty Christmas present.
I've been hearing real stories of woe all day on Five Live and many of them have tugged the heartstrings. Not the usual rubbish you get on Airport or Airline, where the passengers are 80% + responsible; just people given poor information, or none at all, or simply flights disrupted where others seem to get out. I wish she was in my area - it wouldn't make up for things, but we'd offer her B&B at least (bed/ bottle/ banana?)
Everything crossed for her.
Oh and I knew you had a doctorate. It came up in one of your earlier posts about immigration I think. In fact I believed you were a medical doctor - good job I've never come to you with any serious medical problems! Then again, asking anyone on t'internet instead of your local GP is hardly recommended.