PHL was about 500 ovc, snow and 3 miles and agreed to take us at one point because we were an international divert, but when stewarts wx came up for a few minutes we took the opportunity to go there. I suspect the thought process might have been the storm CAME from that area and those airports might be bad as well. He probably went to BDL because thats what was offered he certainly had know idea how things would turn out. Lets remember, he was able to get in so choosing BDL as his divert is not the issue.. its the ground support once he was there... along with 22 other diverted aircraft AND their normal traffic. I am all (or was when i was a 121 pax guy) for getting the pax off ... but somethings circumstances are beyond everyones control. PLUS this storm moved much faster than anticipated. Our original arrival at EWR was scheduled for around 18Z and the snow was not forecast until 20z or later.....and the snow started much earlier than that.