Travelers who have the Mail function on their iPod Touch should disable the function to protect their privacy if the device is stolen.

• From the Settings menu, click Mail then select each email account one by one. At the top of each email account menu you’ll see Account. Slide it from On to Off to disable the account. It won’t erase any of your settings, or messages, just hide it in the Mail client.

This won’t deter a smart thief, but it might keep your nosy sister from reading your electronic love letters from her best friend. A passcode lock also helps in case the device is stolen – hopefully a crook will just give up and wipe the device rather than get access to your emails and any important information contained in them.

Flights that are canceled or significantly delayed entitle you to a refund (at least a partial one) from the airline. The only caveat is that delays or cancellations due to the weather don’t count. It turns out that there is no formal review of weather incidents and the US Department of Transportation believes the airlines without checking weather conditions. The Consumerist writes that it is possible to dispute these claims, although it will cost money and time.

You know how they say, “Everyone complains about the weather but no one does anything about it?” Well, now you can. If you really feel that an airline’s weather excuse is a lie to get out of paying you your due, consider hiring a forensic meteorologist and including his findings in your correspondence with the company.

The problem is that you’ve got to have a reasonable case – that means checking the weather conditions as you’re stuck at the airport and then doing research to hire the right person. There are better ways to try to get refunds, even for weather delays.

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