USAirways...Any Word on How They're Doing?

[scanne]

DH and I have airline tickets for October and December on USAirways. (I'm VERY apprehensive about flying, however). DH thinks that USAirways is going to sink.....does that appear to be happening at all? Has anyone's flights been cancelled on USAirways for upcoming trips? Thanks for any info.

[DebbieB]

I live in Pittsburgh, which is USAirway's main hub. It's been on the news about reduced flight schedules (23% less flights) and some layoffs. I have not heard any mention of the possibility that the airline will close entirely. With over 10,000 employees in our area, that would be big news and if it was a short term possibility, it would have been discussed. I don't think you have to worry about October or December, although your flight times may change. Are you flying out of Philadelphia? Pittsburgh & Philadelphia to Orlando are big routes for them and I don't think you'll see big cuts there. I think the cuts will come in the smaller cities they serve. There are supposed to be changes in the December schedule, but so far the timetables have not been changed. I've been watching them because we are going the first week of December.

[CarolMN]

Congress just passed an airline relief package. If I recall correctly, it included 15 billion dollars in relief for the airlines. My understanding is that the amount each airline gets is proprtional to its share of the traffic. Even though US Air's financial situation wasn't all that good before the Attack on America, I don't think you have to worry about them going broke before your trips. I would suggest that you check on your October reservations at least every twice a week to be sure you haven't been reassigned to a flight that won't work for you. If that happens, just call and ask to be put on a flight that will work.

Good luck!

[kbeverina]

I read in the Washington Post this morning that US Air plans to shut down MetroJet at BWI by December. Of course, I have tickets on MetroJet for Dec. 13th. What will happen if they do shut down? Will they allow me to rebook at Dulles or will I lose money? I also read they are considering moving the US Air planes from National to BWI if National doesn't re-open.

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We are also booked on US Airways. As a stockholder in the airline, as well as a frequent flyer, I honestly think that everything will be okay with them. Their current value is a lot less than their equipment (aircraft) are worth. It will take a lot for US Airways to go under. I think it would be more likely for United or American to go belly-up.

[DebbieB]

I read in the Washington Post this morning that US Air plans to shut down MetroJet at BWI by December. Of course, I have tickets on MetroJet for Dec. 13th. What will happen if they do shut down? Will they allow me to rebook at Dulles or will I lose money?

I'm sure they will get you on another flight or refund your money. Since they have not declared bankrupcy, there's no way they can hold your money. I would call them to find out what they plan to do so you can make alternate plans.

[Disnydad]

US Air was in tough shape before the shutdown. I heard about the possible shutdown of Metro Jet about a month ago through a financial site.

[Beverly Lynn]

USAIR has a queue team here in pit that will reacommodate you if that happens. if htey can't put you on something that is to your acceptance then they will refund your money.

[kbeverina]

Thank you all, for your responses. I feel a lot better.

[wdwnut]

hi: usair changed 3 of our 4 flights (connections) for our november trip. when i called, they offered me a full refund on our non-refundable tickets which were purchased in may. if i change airlines, i'll let you know about the refund and how easy it was to get.

[Spoisal]

wdwnut -

how did you find out about the changes? Did they contact you - or did you find out when you called them?

[Beverly Lynn]

Usair has a queue team here in pit that works the schedule changes.

[LucyStorm]

I had my travel agent call US Air to change my nonrefundable and penalty for changes tickets to a different flight time because my flight was changed to 1 hour earlier (6am) and the change in the time I had to arrive. They really surprised my AAA agent, because she told me that no way would they do that, and not only did they change my flight but were delighted to do so and did not charge me a penalty. Sounds like they are bending over backwards to keep customers.

[NandP]

I am also booked (and paid for) on MetroJet out of Albany NY... I called to inquire about the Metrojet News... thaey said basically the aircraft itself (737-200) is being retired, the time slots will remain at the airport, another flight will be offered, if available... or a refund be given... I'm still worried!! and it's too soon to say what will happen...!
I'll believe it when I see it....

[kimmar067]

I purchased US Air tickets (5) for Nov 7 out of LGA. Should I call
to cancel? The tickets were bought in June and at that time they were
non-refundable. What should I do? (also concerned with flying due to
recent US events - we could see the Twin Towers burning from our
school - it was AWFUL!!!)

[DebbieB]

Unless they cancel or change your flight times, your tickets are still non-refundable. I would sit tight and see if there is a flight change that would give you the opportunity to cancel with a refund (if you are sure that is what you want to do).

[kimmar067]

How would I know if they canel or resschedule; will they notify me or do
I have to keep calling US Air?:confused:

[LucyStorm]

an easy way to do it is to check their website. You just enter your date of travel and time of flight and route, and it will pull up flights that are close. Check for your flight number and you will see what time it is scheduled for.

[DebbieB]

Check under timetables on their website:

http://www.usairways.com/

[kimmar067]

thanx for the info....!!

[NandP]

I called to confirm my seats, they made sure my phone number was on the rsvp so they could contact me in case of any changes...

So far only MetroJet, a low-cost business class division of USAirways is affected, but not till December....

Good Luck....

[Beverly Lynn]

the scoop is:
they are closing 4 res offices effective oct 19th, san diego, indianapolis, dayton, and syracuse. that leaves open pit, winston, and orlando. they gave 160 furlough notices to the bottem 160 people here in our greentree office(where I used to be) and they are giving those from the closed offices the chance to relocate to pit. if they do then it could bump more here. my friend who has 15 yrs in(we have same seniority) is 182 from the bottem. right now he has 22 below him from which to take. orlando office has no room to tAKE PEOPLE. and no one wants to go to winston for some reason.
They are predicting that this will be a temporary thing and they hope to start calling people back within 9 mths or so. its tough in the travel industry right now. I wouldn't be surprised if a few more travel agencies go belly up. the corporate ones will be ok due to the large volume of business travelers but its the leisure ones who will be hit hardest. don't forget the schedule change next month. I am sure it will be a doozy with whats happened.

[NandP]

I read your post on the disboards about US Airways... I have 7 seats booked from Albany, NY to Orland and back for MAY 14 & 23 on MetroJet... Any word on that area???

Thanks for your help on this, we ALL appreciate any word from the inside...

Best of luck to you and your friends there at USAirways... this really stinks, people should realise they are safer now in the air, than thier own backyard...

Thanks again

[MartDM]

They are closing a call center that employs 150 here in the Syracuse area. I would guess that most layoffs would be similar - companies usually cut back lots of ancillary staff before they really start effecting the "meat" of the operation. I would guess a little trimming like they did here along with the gov't assistance and they'll be OK.

[NandP]

OK this stinks... My flight will definatly be cancelled, and US Aiways will re-accomidate us... but the departing flight will now be a 6AM flight rather than a 5pm... which would have given us one more morning to hit one last exibit or ride....

Do you this USAIR will pay for an additional night at the hotel, since they caused us to lose out on a day??? Now we need to sleep over, just so we can leave the next morning... yuk !!!

[scanne]

NandP,

USAirways did this to us back in June and they did not pay for the hotel for the extra night. However, they bumped us up to 1st class and gave us each $100 vouchers for another flight. But my husband was very persistent when he spoke with customer service. Be sure to stand your ground and tell them it's an inconvenience to you financially and see what they offer.

Anne

[The shadow knows]

I don't believe they are required to pay for your hotel unless you are enroute in a flight or if this is your return portion and you are basically stuck at the airport and its cancelled due to them and not weather or an act of god, etc. I have had it happen where they paid for the room once and the other time they didn't.

and yes I see where Beverly Lynn mentioned above where syracuse was one of the offices clsoing. didn't you read it? its not a call center its called a reservations office. AKA customer service. call it a call center and they will bite your head off.

[MartDM]

Shadow-

Yes, I saw Beverly's post and I was ellaborating based on what I had heard here locally about the quantities of personnel.

And, I referred to the office as a "call center" because that is what it stated to be in all the local newspapers, radio, and TV stories regarding the cutbacks. If "they" have a problem with that terminology, perhaps "they" need to speak with USAirways press department as that is where the news sources are getting their info from. I do regret if I was passing along incorrect information, but it was based on what I find to be reliable sources and not meant to be offensive.

Besides, it seems you have already beaten them to the punch on biting my head off anyway. I noticed you only have a few posts. I'm gather you are not a lurker or you would be aware that this board is generally a polite forum. Assuming you are new, I'd like to pass along a bit of friendly advice - lighten up. There's no need for rudeness here.

[travelcoupons]

Interesting article on this topic:

http://www.thenewrepublic.com/100801/scheiber100801.html

[Beverly Lynn]

I didn't see anything wrong with the shadows post. they were just pointe blank.

and having worked in res myself thats what it is a reservations center. and to be honest I never heard it called a call center before. weird. we were called a lot of things but never a call center. but now that you have me thinking it is sort of a call center. they get calls and they make calls. but I guess its like calling a flight attendant a stewardess. its just not done anymore. I have read a few of the shadows posts and they are not rude or ignorant. so lighten up on telling them to lighten up. it is bad enought they are being hounded by someone else on the board. sometimes its best to hit that ignore button. we don't need any ill feelings on the transportation board. we got rid of that a while back.

[flyingcircus]

I don't mind being called a stewardess- I think it's kinda cute:D
But, I'd be careful calling male flight attendants "stewardesses"...........

LOL:jester: