US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Being realistic vs. Being paranoid

I do not think that Friday, or any day soon, that USAirways will cease to operate. That said, I think there is a lot of paranoia, fueled by rumors and Union comments that are leading many to believe that the "end is near.'" I positively don't believe this WILL happen. (It COULD, but won't.) The company is too much of an established one and has been making real changes recenyly, to fall into nothing before Christmas. I understand the worry of losing tickets/cash/upgrades/miles. I have 80,000 miles, 2 tickets to Belize, 20+ E Upgrades, etc. I will not lose these, I am sure. I think now is a time for considering all possibilities, but knowing that we are likely going to see no major change in the coming week or so, or even thereafter. I don't know, nor does anyone, but am confident. Just because Bronner makes a threat doesn't mean it's the real deal.

[This message has been edited by hilton-gold (edited 12-18-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by hilton-gold:
I do not think that Friday, or any day soon, that USAirways will cease to operate. That said, I think there is a lot of paranoia, fueled by rumors and Union comments that are leading many to believe that the "end is near.'" I positively don't believe this WILL happen. (It COULD, but won't.) The company is too much of an established one and has been making real changes recenyly, to fall into nothing before Christmas. I understand the worry of losing tickets/cash/upgrades/miles. I have 80,000 miles, 2 tickets to Belize, 20+ E Upgrades, etc. I will not lose these, I am sure. I think now is a time for considering all possibilities, but knowing that we are likely going to see no major change in the coming week or so, or even thereafter. I don't know, nor does anyone, but am confident. Just because Bronner makes a threat doesn't mean it's the real deal.

[This message has been edited by hilton-gold (edited 12-18-2002).]</font>

I agree. Be careful and pay attention, but there is no cause for panic at this time.

The last time I heard Bronner (Tuesday night on Alabama TV), he was not talking at all like trying to pull the plug. He was, in fact, looking at horizons 5-8 years out. His contention is that US has played it correctly in rationalizing their operating and labor costs, which is why they got approved by the ATSB. UA only set up cost reductions for a year and then it was back to business as usual - a mistake, which is why they did not get approved.

All in all, I am "cautiously optimistic". I fully expect to be flying US come January. Not as confident about 2004 on, but, hey! nothing is certain in this life. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Things can change very rapidly. Part of being careful is being prepared. I'm figuring that this is as good a time as any for a little insurance -- prices and availability for things like awardguard could go up.

And with a new year approaching it looks like the ideal time to shift tier miles earning to a better long term base -- but who is viable? I'm thinking that NW is the best of the worst http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Remember Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they are not out to get you

I'll repeat what I have been saying. It is a simple law of physics. If they keep burning cash at a rate greater than it comes in, they will simply go away. Boss Hogg's intemperate remarks coming out of Alabama seem to be disconnected from those emanating from Fort Fumble. That should be a concern for everybody, since at this point they are the only dependable source of additional capital.