mv_rd

I bought tickets for Paris in mid March and I was wondering if I should cancel and go with American instead even if it means paying more. I won't have any penalties since I bought the tixs yesterday and have a day to cancel.

This is the last trip I will be able to take for a few years with my husband and I don't want it ruined. Am I being paranoid?

Any advice or suggestions?

Thanks!

Holly_uncasdewar

Any way you can get the same flights at the same price, but travelling on KLM metal instead? Schedules for both are on the NWA website.

LoveItaly

Hi mv_rd, I had the same thought as Holly just posted. When I fly to Italy from SFO I always fly KLM although I book the flight through NW.

Something you might think about doing.

mv_rd

I can't get a KLM flight. I might just cancel and book with American.

frankisthechamp

I'm in the same boat. I have tickets for London on Northwest in 3 weeks.
Right now, I'm just planning on keeping tabs on what is going on since so many things could happen and if I cancelled and paid more for other tickets needlessly it would be a real damper on the vacation.
If money is no object then I would definitely go ahead and change, but I don't know if I can part with more money that I would much rather use to shop.
Good luck to you!

mv_rd

I called NWA and the service rep told me that there was no reason to worry and she guaranteed me that I would fly on that day. She said they would accomodate travelers on their partner airlines, etc.

Now, how can she be sure who knows but I missed the deadline to cancel since it had to be done by midnight central time. Blah

BTW-I did a search for strike on this board and a Delta thread came up as well. Someone mentions that the strike won't take place until Sept of this year? Why so far out and where this info was obtained I have no idea. I did a search on Google for info but there's not much out there other than the pilots will make a decision on Feb. 28.

I'm keeping my finers crossed for all of us who have flights booked.

Worktowander

Also crossed. I have NWA tickets for late March...

JulieVikmanis

Ours are for Feb. 28. As my mother in law always said--What can you do?!!!

maryanne1

I have FF miles booked on NW for April 18-26 to Amsterdam from ClT for one ticket and just bought a second ticket on FRI. that was on sale for approx. $628.00 which is quite a lot less than $910 before. My question is should you take out insurance that might cover this as I also need the medical?
Have been checking the policies on insuremytrip.com,but haven't selected one yet.

julies

I live in Minneapolis one of NWA's major hubs, so they are always front page news here. Today's paper says that they will begin balloting on a possible strike tomorrow. However, results won't be released until Feb. 28. Guess what day we have tickets for? March 1.

Does anyone know if, in a bankruptcy situation like this, there is still that 30 day waiting period, after a vote is approved, before a strike can actually begin? Now I know why they have been aggressively marketing and why I got such cheap tickets on a relatively last minute purchase.

mv_rd

maryanne-
I don't know how to advise you as far as trip insurance. I looked into purchasing the one from NWA from access america which said it covers strikes BUT once you read the fine print, it has to be an unannounced strike.

I'll probably buy the insurance anyway since my husband is in the military and it covers cancelled personal leave. This has happened to us in the past so it's worth it in this case.

maryanne1

Thanks for your answer. KLM does fly out of CLT so since we are going to Amsterdam I wonder if they might pick up some of those flights if Northwest does strike. KLM is a partner of Northwest. I know sometimes this does happen when a airline is not flying at that time. Still have not decided about the insurance. If I buy it won't be from the airline,but one of those other policies like Access Travel Guard, Travelex.

Keep our fingers crossed, but I can understand why these people might want to strike as the people at the top are the ones making the money where others have been cut in their salaries.

rjw_lgb_ca

I don't think KLM flies their own equipment in and out of CLT. It would in all likelihood be a codeshare on NWA equipment.

KLM does fly in and out of Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson.

kybourbon

Afaik - You won't be covered for any flight of a company already in bankruptcy like NWA or Delta. They exclude companies/airlines in bankruptcy proceedings.

frankisthechamp

Just wondering if anyone had any updated thoughts on this.

I was also wondering if anyone knew if there is a policy that airlines follow when their employees are on strike or is it just sorry youre screwed and we can't help you?

mv_rd

I emailed them and this was their reply:

"Thank you for contacting nwa.com Customer Service.

I understand your concerns and I want to reassure you that you can
depend upon Northwest to meet your travel needs - now and in the
future.
We are dedicated to continuing a full and reliable schedule of flights
as we work to resolve the airline's challenges. Northwest is working
hard to reach consensual labor agreements with all our unions, and we
remain confident in our ability to do so.

However, airlines must always be prepared for any type of irregular
operation, and if any should occur, we will follow our existing policy
of accommodating customers in several ways. Examples include the
waiving
of fare rules, rebooking passengers to other Northwest flights,
allowing
the refund of non-refundable tickets, and in some cases, rebooking
passengers on other airlines' flights."

frankisthechamp

That's fantastic!

I know I just spent a considerable amount of time talking to insurance reps about 'what if this happens would this be covered?' And I found out that it covers strikes after 24 hours of a cessation of work. Which made me slightly anxious since in the event it does happen and you are one of the first flights cancelled you'd be totally screwed.

But thank you! You have made me feel so much better. Good luck to you

julies

So does anyone actually know, if the pilots decide to strike, what would be the first day they could legally do this?

mv_rd

frankisthechamp-
Will you be purchasing insurance? If you are, may I ask with whom? I have never purchased insurance but will do so this time. I have looked into the one offered by NWA, Access America. Their coverage only covers unannounced strikes. I forgot to call them today but will do so tomorrow to get more info about a possible strike. THX

frankisthechamp

Julies, I have tickets for the 2nd. My line of thinking was that if they announce the results on the 28th and it is in favor of a strike that would mean on either the 1st or the 2nd the strike would start. Not very comforting. Or maybe, I was hoping the next monday....

I think the only way we could find out with some sort of certainty would be from a pilot.