The spill response community is engaged in a technological rush towards computer-based, information-synthesis systems. Typically, they are modeled after many successful ＇incident command＇ or ＇command and control＇ systems that rely on micro-or mini-computer technology that is friendly and graphically oriented. Virtually all of these systems offer spill trajectory modeling components. What is typically lacking in this modeling output is any reliable way to estimate the uncertainty. This means that advice derived from the models is of questionable value, and when integrated into a complex response plan, the propagation of errors could seriously compromise the usefulness of results. It is shown that no single trajectory model run can provide the necessary information to respond in an optimal,＇minimum regret＇ strategy. However, a well-defined series of model runs used as the basis for trajectory analysis can provide the required information. A discussion of options suggests that the adoption of a minimum standard analysis procedure would significantly improve the ability of integrated response systems to use the predictions of oil distributions.