Planning to use 80K US FF miles for CLT-LAX-CHC-SIN-LAX-CLT. CLT-LAX on US, LAX-CHC NZ and CHC-SIN-LAX SQ. Leaving 3/27/05, in New Zealand for a month, CHC-SIN 4/27, with long stopover in SIN, returning to LAX 9/30/05.

1) If US shuts down, will NZ and SQ honor their portion of the ticket, and will UA fly me CLT-LAX?

2) Would it be any safer to book CLT-LAX on UA through ORD avoiding US completely?

3) If I do #2 above, could I get the ticket issued on UA stock, thus helping ensure the ticket remains good should US go away?

3) Since I'm US Silver, think I can book the front of coach (23-28) on the 744 LAX-CHC. What can I do on SQ?

4) Any other way to help ensure the ticket is good if US goes away?

5)a) I was told that the FF ticket is time and date changeable, depending on availability, for no fee. b) Was also told that I could change the SIN-LAX portion, and depart instead from BKK or other SE Asian country for a $50 fee. Does that mesh w/ your experience??

Thanks.