USAir future flights

[Carlnne]

Is it risky to reserve flights on USAir for this summer? What would happen if I had tickets and they declare bankruptcy- or worse close up altogether? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[DebbieB]

It is very risky. They are already in bankruptcy. They are threatening to start liquidating in January if they cannot get union concessions. Last weekend's fiasco may have been the last nail in the coffin.

 

[ducklite]

I've got two r/t flights booked MCO/PHL/MCO over the next two weeks. The tickets were bought at bargain basement prices. Worst case scenario I need to buy a one-way full fare ticket on SW to get home. I'm still under $300 r/t, I can live with that.

I think they'll be OK through at least mid-February from a cash standpoint. After that it's a crapshoot at best. I wouln'dt book more than a few days in advance after late January, and have a backup you can live with.

I think what happens this weekend (re CHAOS) and in court January 16 will be the deciding factors.

Anne

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I wouldn't risk it. If you purchase tickets from them now and they go under, you will become one of a long list of creditors seeking to get their money back.

We're going to Italy this summer (DH want the kids to see the real St. Mark's Square; not the EPCOT version). The only carrier that flies directly from PHL to Rome is USAir. We're taking British Airways. It means a 2-hour layover in London but at least I'm confident that they'll still be operating in July.

 

[Tinkim]

I don't think I would risk it either. I have tickets for the 2/28-3/5 with US Air that I am keeping my fingers crossed won't be worthless by then. I didn't realize when I bought the tickets in September that they were in such dire straits financially or I would have bought tickets from someone else. Even though the price was excellent and the least expensive fare at the time, the peace of mind would have been worth the extra money. I don't really know what to do if they go under. I am waiting for the bankruptcy hearing in January to find out what the status of the company is and whether or not they survive. I did pay with a credit card but I'm not sure how long it would take to get a refund or if another carrier would put us on a flight for a fee. I may have to book another flight all together and pay more and end up with lousy flight times. My advice would be to steer clear of US Air. I wish I had.

 

[CarolA]

Domestic flights have some protection. I am pretty sure the congress extended the law requiring other airlines to take you on a standby basis for a minimal fee.

However, that really is not always a good option. If you have a family flying trying to get a standby is tough and then you would probably be scattered all over the plane.

After reading about what happened this week, I would be VERY hesitant to buy for a while.

 

[Pinnie]

My neighbor is a flight attendant on USAIR and she is already looking for a new job. I wouldn't chance booking with them with all that is going on. Pay a few $s more and get the security of knowing your flight will take place.

pinnie

 

[Carlnne]

Thanks for all your comments- I wont do it then. I will wait a few months- the worst that could happen is that we drive from PA. Better that then worry about recouping lost money.

 

[Docsknotinn]

I wouldn't risk it even if you thought they were going to be in buisiness. US Air is the deadliest airline in US history with 5 fatal crashes in five years not so long ago. I used to work for another airline and I can tell you from behind the scenes US Air had difficulty even keeping trucks running on the ground. I have never flown them since and I never let my family or friends fly them with out the same warning. Any carrier would be a better choice than US Air unless you really feel your safety is not worth the price difference in a ticket. Hopefully you have access to other discount carriers such as SW.

 

[safetymom]

It would be interesting to see your stats on this. US has no worse of a safety record that most of the airlines.

 

[mep319]

It would be interesting to see your stats on this. US has no worse of a safety record that most of the airlines.

Agreed... taking into consideration the number of flights they operate I'm sure they are very safe.

I booked a flight w/ USAIR, I'm really not that concerned. They have been thru bankruptcy before. If you purchase with a credit card you can always dispute the charge. PHL is USAIRS main hub.... if and when usair goes under...it is going to take half of PHL with it. I'm sure some arrangements will be made.

 

[CarolA]

Safety quotes like this are just someone stirring up trouble. Air Travel in the US is much safer then driving.

The fact that the poster worked for another airline doesn't make them an expert on anyone's safety records.

 

[BonnieA]

Well I've got to say I'm very nervous concerning USAirways. I have a flight with them 1/21 that I got with freq flyer miles. Since I'm meeting my son in Orlando I don't want to be unsure about my flight. I'll already have the weather to worry about so I didn't need that worry. So I decided to also book on Delta. Of course I will cancel one of them at the last minute. I can rebank my miles if I cancel, or I will pay a fee to change a flight with Delta. Either way, I am much more relaxed about it now. At least until (with my luck) that big snowstorm hits on the 20th

 

[zurgswife]

Thanks for all your comments- I wont do it then. I will wait a few months- the worst that could happen is that we drive from PA. Better that then worry about recouping lost money.

Why don't you just wait a few more 6-8 weeks or so and wait for SW's flights to come out...they have helped the cost of fares from Philly...

 

[Docsknotinn]

I'm new here so definately not trying to stir the pot. IMHO who ever suggested that is simply ill informed. US Air is in fact the deadliest airline in the US BASED ON THE NUMBER OF CRASHES. That's not my opinion it is a fact. No other US Airline has had as many fatal crashes nor has any other Airline had even two years of concurrent crashes that I'm aware of let alone the last five fatal US crashes prior to 9-11. Instead of argueing our opinions to which we are each entitled I would suggest a quick search under any engine on the topic. If the origional poster was unaware of this my only intent was to bring it to light. I should point out that I no longer work for the Airlines and have not in several years. We did a considerable amount of contracting to US Air to help them when their equipment failed. I would suggest if you are considering US Air that you do your own quick search and consider theese crashes occured when the airline was in decent shape. I for one would not put my life, nor my familys in the hands of a ground crew etc that was thinking this may well be their last day on the job.

 

[Docsknotinn]

In order to save some time and the strand further digression from those who may have felt I was offering a expert opinion or trying to cause trouble ; Here is a quick overview. Those in doubt can find this info on;
www.aviation-safety.net follow the links to the United States and then to carriers and finaly to US Air. The following crashes represent Hull ( total ) losses of the plane. I was incorrect about five years in a row. In point of fact prior to 9-11 it was the last five fatal crashes by a US Carrier that belonged to US Air. I should also note that term "deadliest" is MHO and is based on the total # of crashes not the total # of fatalitys. I did not consider 9-11 in any comparisons. I hope this helps but I also know air flight in PA is fairly restricted in regards to carriers. In spite of CarrolA's rather negatively pointed view I would agree with her that in general Air travel in the US is safer than auto travel.

21 Feb 1986 DC-9-30 Fatalitys 0

20 Sept 1989 Boeing 737-400 Fat 2

22 July 1990 Boeing 737-200 Fat 0

1 Feb 1991 Boeing 737-300 Fat 22

18 Jan 1992 DC9-30 Fat 0

22 Mar 1992 Fokker Fat 27

2 July 1994 DC-9 Fat 37

8 Sept 1994 Boeing 737-300 Fat 132

22 Sept 2000 Boeing 767 Fat o

 

[CarolA]

My negative review comes when people show up scaring others out of air travel. I find that all posts like yours do is upset "cautious flyers" and serve no other purpose.

My Grandfather worked for an airline for years. His one quote on safety was that the airline in financial trouble or with the most recent crash was actually the safest. He felt the FAA kept a closer watch on those airlines.

I also want to point out that the site you linked to is not an "Official site". While I have no reason to distrust it, I have learned over the years that sites like that are dependent on people keeping them accurate so I don't use them.

Your expert opinion does not give us any stats to verify the claim that they are unsafe or can't keep thier trucks running. Having spent some time cruising the reference site, I see no comparison stats etc.... You appear to have copied the accident data base for one airline which is very misleading. For example, you Sept 22, 2000 "accident' occured with 0 passengers on board while the plane was in a maintenace as indicated "For the maintenance check, the mechanics had taxied the airplane to a remote taxiway on the airport and had performed three runups for which no anomalies were noted. During the fourth excursion to high power, at around 93 percent N1 rpm, there was a loud explosion followed by a fire under the left wing of the airplane. The mechanics shut down the engines, discharged both fire bottles into the No. 1 engine nacelle, and evacuated the airplane. Although both fire bottles were discharged, the fire continued until it was extinguished by airport fire department personnel. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair."
Seems to me that in that case maintenance was working as I would desire and I would hardly hold that against USAir.

Now, I would not buy a ticket for travel on them this summer, but only because I am concerned about the saftey of my money!

 

[Docsknotinn]

Well you areally are one of those extra pleasant people aren't you ? I guess the other FIVE CRASHES with fatalitys were in the hanger as well. Too bad you haven't applied as much time finding a way to be positive. I never said I was a expert. Others asked for this info. I'm certain you can find it on the FAA site as well. After all you had no trouble finding considerable detail about a event that you are suggesting is subject to proof from the link I posted. HAPPY NEW YEAR !

 

[CarolA]

Docsknotinn,
I notice you are new... One of my rules of posting on message boards is DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY!

I am entitled NOT to agree with you!

 

[Docsknotinn]

Yes quite right. I should not stoop to your level. You are entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to mine. You can be unpleasant as can I, Or we could find a more harmonious and amicable way to dissagree. You are no more a expert because a family member worked for the airlines than I am because I worked with US Air directly. You feel a pilot, mechanic or crew that crashes a plane into a hanger destroying the aircraft is Ok. I do not. You will note I put up ALL events not just those that would support my view. This benefitted you..... as you see it. The great thing about this country is that we have the freedom to make choices such as what carrier we would fly. We also have the ability to do research and gain knowledge that is public information and would otherwise be quashed by those who would gain financially from covering the facts. I leave you to your proofs.
PS I would note that due to the close dates of some of the crashes that dear old Grand Dad was dead wrong.
There is nothing unsafe about Air Travel in the US. Air travel ON US AIR is another matter entirely.