I purchased a ticket for PIT-CDG for myself with ff miles and bought my husband's outright on USAirways for May of 2005. With increasing news daily news of the difficulties of the airline, it would probably make sense for me to get paper tickets, assuming that can be done, n'est-ce pas? It was probably very foolish of me to have bought the tickets, but I thought things were looking a bit brighter two weeks ago when I did this. If they go belly up, w/o a paper ticket, I have nothing, right?

I suppose you get in line behind creditors regardless, although I think I read that some credit card companies do something about that even in bankruptcy, not sure.

IN any case, what difference does it make if it is a paper ticket or electronic? A paper ticket on a bankrupt airline that isn't running doesn't have any value either, does it? I know there was some law about other airlines accommodating passengers from other airlines (although I'm not sure in case of an airline ceasing operations, maybe just plane cancellations), but it is expiring in November, anyway, last I heard.

The "rule" requiring other airlines to honor the tickets, including E-tickets, issued by other airlines in the event of their liquidation only requires the "other airline" to do so on a space available basis; and that "rule" is due to expire in November.

A print out showing that you have an e-ticket issued is probably going to be as good as having a ticket itself although if you want to spend the time and fees to have paper tickets issued then go ahead.

You are assuming a great deal in this case which may or may not come to pass..but if worrying it gives you peace of mind by all means do so.

I agree with other posters. A paper ticket will not help your potential situation.

Ok, so an e-ticket would carry the same weight as a paper one.
Heretofore,I have been optimistic about the airline up until the last couple of days with news of more major lay-offs.

Let's say USAirways totally shut down -including their computer and phone office. You and I both have tickets on USAirways PIT-CDG and we both went to UA, AA, DL or CO's counter at PIT trying to get a flight. But you have a computer-printed copy of an itinerary, while I have an actual ticket. Who do you think may be served by UA/AA/DL/CO's agent faster?

At the very least, don't you think that agent has to figure out if your itinerary is even real? Anybody with a computer can type up a USAirways itinerary...

So, in my opinion, in this very worst scenario, a paper ticket has some value - not a lot, but some - over an e-ticket.

Rkkwan, my original thinking, exactly, until I was "corrected."

If you have your itinerary,then you would at least have to have the e-ticket number.Without that,you might get a ticket agent who would not be willing to help.Any airline you would seek assistance from would be able to acces the e-ticket number itself.

A printout of an eticket lists the reservation number, which is what they have to look up in the computer, anyway. However, what I was thinking (not sure about others) is that if US Air is not running, no other airline is going to let you ride free on their airline just because you have a ticket on US Air. Why would they? Maybe I don't understand why you think another airline will accept US Airway's ticket if US Air is not running.

Christina,
Refer to Topman's post, there's regulations. Its a public law that an airline must provide transportation to those affected when an airline ceases operations and "to the extent practible". Basically you are a standby passenger. For Grandmere's original question you are absolutely right on ticket numbers, e-ticket print outs, etc there is no need in these days for a paper ticket for this type of occurence....10 years ago I might have said differently.

Grandmere,
A really good thing you might want to do is call a few of the airlines, UA and AA perhaps and pose that question, what if? Might not be bad homework....and do let us all know, good subject.

Grandmere,
I might also add, and you are probably already aware of this, but the regulation is only for USA based carriers...your ticket is to Paris, therefore Air France for example has no obligations.

Just wanted to add something connected to what Cristina wrote above regarding credit card companies. A couple of years ago I purchased a ticket from an airline that in turn went bankrupt and ceased operations. I filed a claim with my CC company under "services paid for but not received" and was issued a refund. I realize this is not that comforting if you can't get to Paris, but thought I'd mention that you will have some recourse for your husband's ticket (assuming you paid with a CC).

Ah my dear grandmere,

If, like me, you live in Pgh. then I feel your pain. Because we are a captive city to a dying airline, this is the sort of fretting and worrying that I go through every time we have a major trip planned, especially to Europe.

I think it is just plain mean for anyone to criticize you for your worries, if indeed they are worries, or your questions. Our position here (in Pittsburgh) sucks, and if time or money is a consideration, then we are doubly or triply (word?) screwed.

My husband and I have to work very hard to get any time off at all, and we can't just change our vacation dates at whim. In fact, his company (a major one here) has taken away a week's vacation from all employees in 2005!

We budget and save and prioritize for every trip to Europe, and it is painful to have to worry about whether we will get to go, because of USAirways, every single time we plan a trip. And our airline options don't extend beyond USAirways, so please, don't tell me to take a different airline.

We don't have an extra day to drive to another city to get to Europe. Oh well, now I'm just ranting.

Let me finish with a reminder that you have all my sympathy and empathy. I think you get to ask a million questions, and more!

Grandmere. I thought you were going to try to use miles from US Airways and get a United ticket?
Although I did PIT LIS for May 2005 with my miles on Untied and now they look almost in as bad a shape as US Airways!

I do not think I am "entitled" to fly with my ticket on another airline if USAirways fails; however, if there is a chance of another airline honoring the ticket, I would like to be in the best position to take advantage of that. That was the gist of my query.

Tuscanlifeedit, you are indeed a kindred spirit; perhaps only others Pgh-ers (and those in similarly affected cities) can appreciate what it's like for people who love to travel to have few airline options. That said, I flew Continental to CDG in March, thru Newark, and that was fine ; since we can no longer fly non-stop to Europe, any airline that has a good fare, good connections, will be the way I go in the future. Chose USA this time b/c of my ff miles; it seemed prudent to use them up.
I do hope, Tuscanlifeedit, that you get a trip to Europe soon; this ambiguous situation with USA will surely be settled one way or the other before too many months. Good to know another 'Burgh-er, and a supportive one, at that!

Traveler863, I like your idea about calling other airlines; I will try that and report back.

Sher, my rationale for not using United was that I'd have to fly thru Detroit or Chicago (I forget which), and that backtracking did not make sense; today backtracking sounds preferable to not getting to Paris! Ah, hindsight!

Alg, that info may come in handy; yes, ticket was bought with cc.

Thanks to all those who were helpful and had helpful intentions!

Grandmere,
Yes you are entitled to fly another USA based carrier should the one you are booked on goes belly up.....there is a public law that covers such an incidence. However, as Topman also pointed out it expires 11/04, there are motions by senate and congress to extend it once again...however no one knows, its up to the senate-house comittee. I would assume it would be passed. But still even with this public law extended, you basically become extra baggage.....not a great spot to be in. But feel good with that fact that the other airlines realize they may now have your business and wish to keep it and therefore treat to kindly!

grandmere. My ticket from Pitt to Lisbon with United is routed through Dulles. Then on with Lufthansa. I hope the worst case scenerio will be having to drive to D.C.
It is a shame that you couldn't have had that kind of routing.
I wouldn't back track either.

I don't know how paper versus non paper tickets will make me feel more secure, but Lufthansa does not issue e-tickets, so I am holding paper ones.

Hi grandmere,

I sympathize.

Your e-ticket is just as good as a paper ticket.

If USAir ceases operations, its records will still be available and your ticket number will be accessible.

Whether someone will honor your tickets is your real problem.

My best wishes that you have a lovely trip.

Sher, it sounds as though your trip is good to go--hooray! BTW, have you heard that Lufthansa may pick up direct flight PIT-FRA, b/c of Bayer headquarters here? That would work!

Ira, thanks for your good wishes; I am going to proceed as though trip were a sure thing, with hotel reservations, etc. Although, I am checking their cancellation policies!
Also, I may abandon my favorite hotel for your favorite since I'm not sure how my husband would do with the 60 (or more!) steps up the winding staircase in the du Lys. Still thinking that one over!

I disagree with the others who say that an e-ticket is as good as a paper ticket. I've read a lot of advice on travel columns (smarterliving.com, Ed Perkins, Consumer Reports, etc.)... they all advise that if you have tickets on USAirways, pay the fee for a paper ticket. It will be easier for another airline to accept your flight. I'm not sure why..but probably something to do with no access to USAirways computers to verify the e-ticket! (and I am a firm believer in e-tickets whenever possible!)

I have two upcoming trips on USAirways, both with e-tickets, but both are for November, so I'm comfortable that they'll still be flying. If it was Europe in May, I'd get paper tickets.

Anne