[sniffle-sniffle]

Good bye, LAX-HKG-LAX. I'll miss ya. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

RAD

It won't be a non stop to ORD on RG unless they start a new route. Currently they only fly into JFK, MIA, and LAX. It would not surprise me if RG does try to add some flights if UA goes through with these planned cuts.

I'm ticketed ORD-AMS on October 31, which is still in the schedule. Seems unlikely they are going to keep this flight, considering this thread.

When I called they were unwilling to switch me to another flight, and the agent insisted the flight was still flying. Guess there is nothing I can do until the actually remove the flight from the schedule, right? Sad since I could lose my upgrade space if forced to another flight at a late date.

I wonder if UA is mulling pulling out of KIX.

NW is now suspending KIX-LAX, KIX-MNL in Oct., rather than in Nov. as previously planned, reducing its KIX flights to 14 from 39 per week now. Before the terror attacks, NW had announced it is pulling some other flights like those to SEA and KUL.

Net rumours have it UA, or other carriers for that matter, does not want to relinquish their coveted slots at NRT and if they reduce services, they will eventually lose them. But to keep slots they also have to maintain load factors at certain levels, too.

KIX is different. Not many airlines want to fly there so it is fairly easy to regain slots at KIX?

Goodbye UA LAX-HKG, hello Cathay Pacific! This is why I maintain Elite status in both *Alliance and Oneworld.

So the result of the FAA's actions is that American's will spend more money on foreign airlines. Good job fellas!

It looks like the timetable is either wrong (as someone mentioned) or the changes are very short-term. HKG-SIN and back is still showing online in November.

Other things being equal if I'm not seeing friends in Tokyo, I'd much rather fly into KIX.

Having said that, I notice that a lot of the cancelled flights for October are back in place in November, or so it would appear. I'm wondering if some of these cancellations are temporary so that they can get FA schedules in place, now that the SIN and BKK FA furloughs have been announced, then they'll restart some? of them again?

I think it has more to do with the November flights not having been canceled yet, rather than being put "back in place."

This seems to be the current method...to leave almost everything "as is" for the future (hoping for the best and a good upturn in business), but then go through and re-evaluate/edit about 2 weeks before the start of the next month.

That's when the "chop-chop" seems to be happening.

It won't be a non stop to ORD on RG unless they start a new route. Currently they only fly into JFK, MIA, and LAX. It would not surprise me if RG does try to add some flights if UA goes through with these planned cuts.

=======================

BRASLVR - yes, I realised Varig did not fly to ORD, and if these routes go down hope the MIA-ORD or JFK-ORD would stay upgraded by UA. I was not sure about the Varig flight TO the USA as to whether they re-protected in upgraded class, or the paid fare, i.e. coach?

Great. So by the time they get around to cancelling my November flights, not only will there be no availability on SQ or CX, but they'll try to book me on China Airlines (3 bumps and land) or something.

unagi1 writes: Yep. And that's the rub. And a true pain in the permanent floatable seat cushion.

So far I've had to play "kick-the-can" with my reservations several and repeated times. Fortunatly, with the help of good reservations staff, I've so far found acceptable alternatives.

But as business and loads pick up, scrambling for alternative flights to replace last-minute cancelations is going to be a real challenge for many.

Especially for those that don't even find out about it until way too late and the alternate flights have already sold-out.

That's why I really appreciate the "edge" that we have here by basenji's great and timely notifications! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I suspect that as business picks up again, United will once again be in the position to more accuratly predict future loads, and you'll see less of this "wait til the last minute" cancelation stuff.

I think it's going to be a long time before they totally get back to normal on projecting yields, however. You have to keep in mind that because of this terrible tragedy and the resultant disruption of travel, that all those "scientific" yield formulas, the historical data they were dependant on, and all that other stuff, went right down the drain.

They are literally "flying by the seats of their pants" now. And it's something we're just going to have to get through, if we want to stay loyal to our airline.

IMHO.


[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited 09-26-2001).]

i have been reading conflicting info on this thread regarding the NRT-HKG service. according to basenji it is not one of the services being affected, but others claim that it is. since i have a booking on flight 837 (in december) and 838 in (january) i am wondering about alternative arrangements...does anyone know anything specific?

ok i realize it is still sometime out but they are mileage plus f class tickets and i would hate to lose them by not doing anything proactive now...thanks if anyone can help.

adam

The issue I am having is that the flights are still on the schedule for Nov, and as a result no CS (and there have been several) I've talked to will do anything proactively. Some are still claiming (even this morning) to not know anything about any significant schedule changes re Asia. For now, I figure I'm going to have to wait until the flight(s) are officially cancelled, and then work a voucher or refund.

All four segments of my November trip are affected in some way according to the interim schedule. Time changes on the two long hauls re SFO, and the NRT-SIN doesnt exist on the day I'm scheduled to fly, and the SIN-HKG is supposed to vaporize altogether.

ORD-NRT appears to be reduced to one already from 29SEP.

NRT-HKG is still on the boards for October. Personally I don't think it will be cut.

Honestly, beyond October things are in flux....they could abandon the O'Hare hub completely and set-up shop in Cedar Rapids.....well, that's far fetched but plans are fluid. It's a complicated matter of balancing available aircraft, slots, loads and financial trends.

I believe the cuts for October are an indication of what will remain cut throughout the winter unless traffic picks up.

I'll be forthcoming with any additional info I obtain, but I don't expect major updates for at least 7 - 10 days for November and beyond.

By the way, Saturday-only JFK-SJU has been reinstated on 767-300 3-class aircraft, and a few domestic flights have been reinstated as well.