Info on Airline Union Contract-Ch. 11 Dates?

[Bill From PA]

Yep, this is a really off-beat question. This Sun. the dates for my March 2006 trip come out and I want to lock in my airfare early. I realize that one cannot predict whether this or that airline might go belly up in the next 330 days, but some things should be known, such as the expiration days for union contracts and schedules for ch. 11 proceedings. Anyone know a site where this is info is available? I'll factor in any union/legal issues scheduled for my trip time frame into my airline choice. I'm going to do a Google right now, But I'd appreciate any guidance from those in the know. Specifically, I'll be flying out of PHL on March 2, 2006 returning on the 12th. I'm looking at USAir and United and possibly Delta. I know that there are other low cost carriers there but their flights are later than I'd like and their rates tend to be released much later than 330 days out. My concern in the first place is that fuel costs will push all fares much higher by the summer, normally I'd get my tix 3 months out, not this time.

Thanks,
Bill From PA

 

[CarolA]

You might try going over on Flyertalk.com and seeing if there are any posts reagarding things that concern you, but it is awfully early and a LOT can change.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

Just my opinion, of course, but US Air and United are already under bankruptcy protection. That could mean that they are several steps away from emerging and being solvent or only one step away from Chapter 7 - total liquidation. Delta, however, is not under any kind of court supervision and it would take a LONG time for them to be desperate enough for Chapter 7 having to go through Chapter 11 first. There are too many creditors out there that would prop them up for a long time.

As for discounters, I wouldn't trust Independance Air that far out but would Airtran, Southwest or Jetblue.

Good luck!

 

[riu girl]

Bill,
I assume you know this but if you book your trip using most major credit cards (not a debit type card) you may have a member benefit that will allow you to get your $$ back on your card if you do not receive a service that you pay for (ex. air fare).
Suzy V.

 

[Bill From PA]

Thanks to all for your help. I've been tracking the fares on a daily basis, my departure date is already within 330 days but the return date will be out 4/17, and a non-stop from PHL for those days released is $181 on USAir/United. This is the lowest fare we've seen from PHL since we paid $165 about 5 years ago, also in March. The second big attraction to this flight is that we land before 9 am, so we'll capture the first day. We'll take a TownCar to the resort, drop off the bags and go. I've decided to take the gamble and book this Sun. I'll post any problems or good news regarding this on this forum.

Bill From PA