Continental Airline-stable?
 

I have to take a must-do trip in mid Nov. and Continental has the best deal. Are there any expectations that this airline would stop flying in the very near future? I don't want to lose my money. Thanks...

I hope not; I made reservations the other day for a trip to Cancun in February.

Continental is in no danger of going bankrupt anytime soon. With over 40,000 employees, the Federal government will not allow any of the big 4 airlines to go belly up, particularly not now. The big 4 are American, Delta, Continential and United.

Continental is the only major carrier to have shown consistent profits over the last few years (Southwest, too, but that's another class of carrier). I wouldn't worry about CO - they have done a lot of work to turn what was a real dog of an airline into a well-run company, and it shows in their service and in their balance sheets.

If Continental goes, so goes the industry. I wouldn't worry a bit about any of the majors. USAirways and America West need a rebound in 2002 but others seem okay. Besides, companies in the U.S. can operate for years in bankruptcy...Continental did it TWICE in the 80s and early 90s.

I am in a management position with Continental. In addition to the previous posts, I can tell you that the company is very stable, despite the events of 9/11. We have had to make adjustments to our schedules and cut our capacity by about 19%, however those changes have already been made. We don't anticipate any others. In fact, the company has plans in place that will bring us back to a profitable state by March of 2002. Continental and Southwest were the only 2 carriers to post profitable quarters prior to the tragedy on 9/11. So, I wouldn't be concerned about your trip in mid November!

Just be concerned if you are a Continental Employee with low seniority! <BR> <BR>It was obvious from the very cold and uncaring speech given by Contintental's President days after the attack that the "people" of Continental are disposable.

Now, now, "xxx" - are you stomping a vat of sour grapes here? Continental has actually been cited nationally as one of the best places to work for a couple years running. A major plank in the successful corporate turnaround strategy is valuing employees. The harsh reality of the need for furlough means some portion of the workforce will suffer. The seniority approach, while not perfect, is one that is usually specified in union contracts. And the words of Mr. Bethune - the first airline executive to take the courageous step up to the podium in the aftermath of the attack - were far from dismissive of the human impact - quite the opposite, actually. <BR>CO learned that fairly treated employees provide good service. That's why they get my business.