I commute from Arlington VA to Pasadena CA. Normally, I take a flight from DCA to MEM and then MEM to LAX. The 35 minute connection in MEM was better than driving out to Dulles and going through the shuttle/check in hassle at that passenger unfriendly airport. Now that I HAVE to go to Dulles it makes more sense to take a non-stop to LAX, since NWA has limited IAD-MEM service and going through DTW or MSP is too far out of the way to LAX.

In checking alternatives, I found that United will offer complimentary Premiere Executive status to Northwest GOLD/Platinum passengers. To get this status on United, send a copy of your Gold/Platinum statement or welcoming letter to:

Mileage Plus
PO Box 28870
Tucson AZ 85726

or FAX the information to 520-881-4458. Be sure to include your Mileage Pus number.

I did the FAX route (United doesn't allow employees to use eMail...sigh)and was immediately upgraded to Premiere Executive level. A day later I was able to get better seating in the flight to LAX.

Just thought I'd share this with folks that are getting displaced due to DCA being closed and not having NWA alternatives.

I sure hope DCA reopens soon. Seems if a sky marshall were put on every flight to/from DCA and a rule made that all PAX must stay seated until the plane gets well past the Mall/WhiteHouse area or risk getting shot by the sky marshall...that would lessen the security risk and we could get our airport back!

Paul:

Hopefully, one will not have to seek alternatives for too long...

Thanks for the info, and may I ask how long your status on UA is good for?

Since it is a matching program, I think I'm good on United until Feb 2002. That is the duration for my current Platinum status. I haven't received the info from United in the mail, but they put me in the system the day I asked and I was able to get a decent seat the next day. I may have to reapply each calendar year. I think United has had this program for some time. I did the same program upgrade with United a few years back when NW was on strike.

From the musings going on in Congress and at the White House, it seems that it's more a question of when, not if DCA will re-open. Here's a suggestion that I am employing on all my reservations... tell the res agent to put in your profile some sort of waiver, eg. "the only reason Mr. X is flying from (IAD/BWI) is because DCA is closed, please waive re-ticketing fee to DCA when it re-opens"... it might work, it might not, but at least there is some precedent in the PNR for you to fall back on.

Well it was great to hear that DCA is getting close to reopening. My UAL BWI/LAX round trip was $190...quite a bargain. So if I have to eventually throw that ticket away it isn't a big loss.