Booked airfare just yesterday, and now this...

[Mark P.]

Thanks to Luv2Roam for the FYI:

By my calculations, I booked the airfare about an hour after this statement...

US Air Lender Threatens to Liquidate It
Sat Dec 7, 1:38 PM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The chief executive of the primary lender to bankrupt US Airways Group (OTC BB:UAWGQ.OB - news) said he would liquidate the airline if unions refused to provide $200 million in additional wage and benefit concessions, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

David Bronner, CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, said he did not expect to have to follow through on his ultimatum and predicted that cost-cutting discussions between the airline and its employees would result in an agreement by next week, The New York Times reported.

"What's their alternative?" Bronner asked rhetorically. "If they don't want to do this, we'll Chapter 7 it."

Alabama Retirement Systems has provided Arlington, Virginia-based US Airways with debtor-in-possession financing to help it operate while under bankruptcy protection. Bronner said that without the concessions, "we'll pull the DIP financing and they're gone."

Bronner's stance with the US Airways unions is an example of the tough stance analysts expect airlines to begin taking with employees now that a bankruptcy filing by UAL Corp.'s (NYSE:UAL - news) United Airlines is widely expected.

Executives at American Airlines' parent AMR Corp. (NYSE:AMR - news), traveling around the country to meet with employees, also have asked workers to forgo pay increases next year in order to trim expenses by $3 billion to $4 billion.


I can cancel within 24 hours of booking, so while I've got the time, should I cancel the reservation, and rebook if things get straightened out??

 

[Luv2Roam]

It will probably all work out. But just wanted to LYK. I debated about posting the article. But knew I would want to know.

 

[Mark P.]

And I appreciate it
I'm one of those that like to know what's going on...Good or Bad.

So, what would you do? Cancel my current reservations, or wait it out?

And even if the worst happens, would our tickets be honored by another carrier?

As a total layperson to the business world, even I would think that it will work out. Needless to say, I've now got Reuters on my favorites list,lol...

Thanks for the input!!

 

[Minybear]

Mark P

My suggestion for you is to cancel and get your refund back. My reasoning for this is due to you would probuably be STRESSED OUT wondering what would happen to your flights, will you be transferred to an other airline ect. To avoid all the unwanted STRESS just cancel and get full refund and book later when you see everything is going ok.

We booked our son on United (3 weeks ago) to come and see us for Christmas and now they have this bankrupsey going on so we are really stressed about whats going on with his flights. I really don't want you to go through what we are going through.

 

[kylara]

When is your flight. The news this morning stated that all flights through the new year would not be affected. If it is after the new year you might want to look into cancelling and booking with someone else just to save you the stress.

 

[Mark P.]

Well, I just cancelled. Can't thank Luv2Roam enough for the info.!

And you're right, Minybear, I'd be stressing big time,lol!

I'll just wait it out, and rebook in a week or so if everything works out.

I can't help but to feel guilty in that here I am complaining about airline reservations for a vacation, when there are alot of good folks who work for USairways that must be really stressing over this newest hurdle. I certainly hope this works out for thier sake more so than mine.

Thanks again

 

[Mark P.]

kylara,
Our flight's not until May of 2003, but thought I'd play it safe for now.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Were you able to get a full refund? Hope so. Otherwise I would feel bad (and wish I had kept my moouth shut.).
If I was flying them or United I would cross my fingers and hope for the best and even hoped they changed the flight time enough to cancel to get a full refund.

I like to fly, but find it more stressful than it use to be. Flying use to be more reliable. Now you cross your fingers there is nothing to delay you getting where you need to go.
Weather is understandable. But seems other delays are the norm now.
I have flown United twice this year. Both times the layover was at OHare. Both time the flight was delayed to my final destination due to something wrong with the airplane. (That was not noticed both times until we we were on the runway.)
And this last time, the United plane ahead of me was also delayed because of a flat tire (while departing).
Now with United's troubles, I think they just repair as needed, figuring they don't have the cash to look over/fix their planes like they should. Or their planes just aren't being replaced as they should. Otherwise United was great.
But two out of two flight for me. No thanks. I'll try someone else from now on.

Hope it all works out for you!

 

[Mark P.]

I was able to get a full refund, because it was within the 24 hours of booking.

Our trip isn't until May, and even if this 'hurdle' works out, who's to say that there won't be another sometime before May?

Just going to wait this one out...

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Mark, did you check AirTran? We usually fly USAirways, out of Philly, but our last trip, a month ago, we flew on AirTran. The price was pretty good...$172.50 RT, non-stop flights. I booked it six months early. The only bad thing, if you can call it a "bad" thing, with AirTran is the returning terminal...it's out in left field. We had to walk down a long hallway, and across the streets to get picked up, but other than that, I would fly with them again. Good luck!