I started flying Continental in 1991 and have stayed with them since. I switched from AA after I was unable to book award travel to Guatemala, all I wanted was to travel for a duration of 7-12 days during a 3 month window. The best that AA could offer was one three day stay for two tickets in that time frame. I was offered a swap of CO miles For AA miles by a family member if CO would make the travel available. Continental had availability for the first target dates I offered. It seemed to me that it was worth the risk of changing to the bankrupt airline rather then stay with an airline that wouldn't provide flights for award travel.

I first obtained Gold status on CO in 1993, and requalified until I achieved Infinite Elite.

A lot has happened since I started flying CO, the "Peanut" flights and cut-backs in elite benefits in 1994, then CO cut back from 6 to 2 flights daily from my home airport, TUS, fortunately that was later offset by the CO-HP alliance. Of course everything changed for the better after Bethune took control, I just hope that they can keep it up.