It's been several (blessed) years since I've flown USair, but I've got some miles to burn, so I'm going to fly BOS/SFO next week and use miles to upgrade. It looks like I'll have the choice of connecting in the east using USAir or connecting in the west and using AirWest.

The web distinguishes the flights as one or the other by icon; have they totally merged so one is as good (or bad) as the other, or is there a difference in service? I've never flown AirWest.

At this point the biggest difference between US East and US West (America West) flights is that on the A32X aircraft the US East ones are equiped with Empower ports at every seat, even in Y. This is nice if you have a laptop and an Empower adapter so you can use your laptop the entire flight without using your battery.

Other then that, you will have pretty much the same experience. If you do decide to fly on the East metal, try and connect in CLT. It is a nicer airport then PHL, and CLT is less likely to loose you luggage if you have to check luggage.

If you don't have to check luggage, don't.

Hmm...just a carry-on for a 2 week road trip--LOL! I don't think so. But thanks for the warning. I'll carry on enough to get me through a day or two.

I'm curious--what's the percentage of luggage lost and never found?

I don't know that stat, but the June 2007 mishandled baggage report from the DOT has US at 15th out of 20th in terms of the number of reports. The 6 carries below them were SKYWEST AIRLINES, COMAIR, MESA AIRLINES, ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES, & AMERICAN EAGLE AIRLINES.

US had 50,214 reports of mishandled baggage in June 2007. This comes out to 10.59 reports for every 1,000 passengers.

Jan-June 2007, US is marginally better. They are in 14th place out of 20th over the first half of the year, just squeaking by EXPRESSJET AIRLINES.

These figures are based on domestic travel only.

Maybe I'll drive...

I have a trip PIT-LAX next week. I booked it on Monday. The non-stop was sold out on the return, so I'm connecting in CLT on the way back. I decided to try to use miles to upgrade since I very rarely get a gold upgrade on a transcon. I got it LAX-CLT-PIT (they had 1 available for mileage upgrade per the agent) but it was not available PIT-LAX. I've checked a couple times, the outbound flight only has 1 FC seat left (5 when I first called) and they are not releasing it for mileage upgrade. So mileage upgrades are not always available. I keep checking the seat chart for an aisle seat, right now I'm in a middle seat but luckily in the exit row.

I've flown US for years and only had luggage misplaced once (I almost always check). It was through PHL and I got it delivered to my home the next day.

Hmm...just a carry-on for a 2 week road trip--LOL! I don't think so.

Could always FedEX your bags ahead of you. ;)

If your connection point in the East is PHL, definitely take the PHX connection on America West. You might be fine going through PHL, but the odds are not in your favor.

The first question I'd have, though, is which flights have seats available for upgrading using miles? Have you checked that? It could greatly limit your options, as advance mileage upgrades on those long-haul flights can be increasingly hard to come by, as debbieb is attesting to.

Having been stranded twice already this year BOS-SFO on US....

I suggest connecting in PIT or PHX... avoid PHL and CLT......

oh.. and pray for SUN!!!