Complain about a product or service

Report Puts Blame for Holiday Snafu on US Airways

March 3, 2005
In the final analysis, it was US Airways' fault. That is the conclusion of a report by the Transportation Department inspector general's office, who has completed a government probe of the bankrupt airlines' Christmas weekend performance.

US Airways • Consumer Complaints • Christmas Complaints • An Insider's View --- News • Bankruptcy Exit Plan Ready • No More Pretzels In Coach • US Airways, America West Merger On Course • US Airways' Loss Worse Than Reported • US Airways Misses Another Bankruptcy Filing • US Airways, America West Talking Merger • US Airways Gets a Little More Time From Creditors • Report Slams US Airways Christmas Performance • US Airways Wins Concessions from Machinists • US Airways Turns In Jets, Cancels Flights • Florida: Treatment of Quadriplegic Passenger "Callous" • Loan Extension Provides More Turnaround Time • Attendants Accept Cuts, Machinists Still Hold-Outs • Machinists May Walk • January Crucial for US Airways • A Christmas Nightmare • Breathing Room • Turnaround Plans • US Air Deathwatch

US Airways struggled through that busy weekend, canceling flights and losing luggage as scores of disgruntled employees, who had recently been forced to give up contract benefits to keep the airline in business, called in sick.

US Airway's problems reverberated through the nation's air travel system on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, compounded by a computer failure that shut down regional carrier Comair.

At the same time, the report concludes the struggling carrier could still face more of the same kinds of staffing problems in the future.

Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta ordered the inspector general's investigation immediately after the Christmas weekend meltdown. Mineta said the findings "make clear" airlines "must be vigilant" to be prepared to act quickly and effectively when bad weather or other problems arise.

Mineta was unyielding in his criticism of US Airways, saying that the company not only was unprepared for the problems, but was unable to respond properly while it was going on. He said the airline even lacked information about the number of lost bags, which piled up in airports around the country.

Mineta said other carriers should learn from US Airways' mistakes and review the report and evaluate contingency procedures for major disruptions to their operations.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.

Back to the top |

Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use

Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

Company Response Welcome If complaints about your company appear on our site, we welcome your response. Please see the Response Form for more information.

For more information, see the FAQ and privacy policy. The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice.  ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof. 

Copyright © 2003-2009 ConsumerAffairs.com Inc.  All Rights Reserved.    The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission.