Airlines You Should Avoid
1. First a note of apology to United fight attendants, who I mentioned in the context of the 2000 job actions that caused major delays in the summer of 2000. Several e-mails asked me to please set the record straight -- it was in fact United's pilots. I mentioned this in my last alert to warn you that United's flight attendants have threatened CHAOS (Create Havoc Around Our System), and renewed their threat during the last week of July. While nothing has materialized in termed of action so far, be warned that the element of surprise is a key part of the strategy. I myself have switched all my cross-country flying from United to American.
A much bigger risk is emerging with Northwest Airlines, where months of negotiations with the Mechanics Union has failed to reach any kind of agreement. All forms of communication have broken down, and the mechanics could go on strike as soon as 20 August:
http://www.travelexpert.com/northwest-mechanics
I had previously recommended that you avoid Northwest as far as possible because of the newly-instituted policy regarding nonrefundable tickets. Northwest gives you 90 days after the date of the first unused flight segment to rebook or lose the entire value of the ticket (other major airlines allow changes within one year of the date of purchase). You now have two powerful reasons to avoid booking Northwest.
Northwest and Delta may be headed towards bankruptcy court soon -- and no one should be surprised if this occurs before October 17. Why that "magic date"? Bankruptcy law changes will make the process even more complicated:
http://www.travelexpert.com/airline-bankruptcy
But as you've seen with United and US Airways in bankruptcy, normal operations will likely continue (unless Northwest is impacted by a strike!), and your frequent flyer miles on either airline should be safe.
Also don't even think of buying a ticket from Independence Air, which is losing tons of money. Not only has the airline admitted that a bankruptcy filing is imminent, but acknowledges that liquidation is a distinct possibility.
Finally, a British Airways strike over the past few days that seriously inconvenienced tens of thousands of travelers appears to be over. I guess we better be careful about booking British Airways during the summer months--three summer strikes in three consecutive years...
2. Thanks for the feedback about the article regarding terrorism in my subscription newsletter. Several e-mails asked why I have never mentioned the newsletter, with several requests asking what is the difference between the alerts and newsletter. Simple, really. My alerts (such as this one) tell you about any great deals that come into the market (such as the recent British Airways business class for $2,000 roundtrip) or impending job actions that could delay your travel (see #1 above). The subscription newsletter, on the other hand, is all about strategies to save money on upscale travel. I walk readers by the hand and explain how I got a great deal at the Ritz in St. Thomas over July 4 weekend or first class to Australia for just $2,000. I'll keep you updated about interesting articles in the newsletter. If you want to subscribe now, why not click here for details?
3. Just a reminder, regardless of whether you are a business traveler or a vacationer setting out for your summer vacation. Amenities are disappearing fast on airlines--so be sure to bring your own food, pillows and such like to make you flight more comfortable. Even if I am traveling first class, I still have my favorite food selections with me, so I can be assured of eating exactly what I want, when I want--regardless of what MAY be served!
http://www.travelexpert.com/airline-amenities
4. In light of the miracle we saw 10 days ago with the Air France aircraft that crashed in Toronto -- I appeal to all of us to PLEASE listen during the safety briefing. At minimum, take note of where the emergency exits are in front of, and behind you.
5. Finally -- want to end (below) with some excellent thoughts from a travel alert reader about how we as travelers deal with terrorism. I encourage you all to write to me (theo@travelexpert.com) with whatever is on your mind.
Bon voyage until next time -- Theo
>From travel alert subscriber Craig O'Brien in Illinois:
I have enjoyed your columns since I took advantage of your free subscription ... thank you. I strongly agree with your sentiments about maintaining our activities and travel - it will only validate the terrorist's efforts if we cower before their misguided and despicable acts. Yet, I am weary of maintaining a forthright spirit when I travel. I am an American, and when abroad, I am often asked about how I feel concerning events of day, and about American policies throughout the world. Usually, I try to explain that Americans enjoy such amazing freedom that we often engage with our government only when we pay taxes, slow down to avoid speeding tickets, pass back through customs on returning to the US, and when we vote in relatively infrequent elections. It's not that we don't care about US policy, it's that we are focused on acting humanely, and morally, and charitably in own lives, and in the manner in which we do business, rather than on controlling - impossibly - or even affecting the actions of our administration. Answers that try to explain these feelings are not often satisfactory to the mostly good hearted, questioners that I meet abroad. How do you handle this type of encounter? I know that a whole new round of discussions await me as I prepare to travel again ... oh, well ... so be it ... any discomfort I feel is nothing compared to the Londoners who withstood the Blitz of the 1940's, and those who paid the cost of freedom this morning ... God Bless Them All. Thanks for reading ...
Dr. Theo Brandt-Sarif
9108 Hillboro Drive
Los Angeles, CA, 90034-1125
United States