we got good procedures, good policies. reporter: nationwide passenger volume is approaching 2019 levels. we re expecting winds 30 to 50 miles an hour in chicago and midway starting tomorrow reporter: to keep the system moving, the faa command center in virginia has opened military airspace to commercial flights boarding passes. reporter: alaska airlines, the country s fifth biggest, focuses on the west coast and is also navigating volatile weather. the ceo ben minicucci. we operate in a 30 to 40-degree range. you don t know if it s rain or snow, so you always have to be ready. right on the edge. right on the edge. reporter: a lot changed since last summer when alaska was among the airlines forced to cancel flights and cut schedules as they struggled with a pilot shortage alaska has since signed new labor agreements and hired more pilots. and learned a lot in terms of staffing and resourcing in volatile periods so i think we re in a pretty good spot heading into 2023