Cite Holiday Sick-Out As Reason

Sick-outs by US Airways baggage handlers which separated thousands of passengers from their luggage and threw much of the commercial flight system into disarray over the Christmas weekend have prompted some travel agents to stop booking the airline, a move which could hasten US Airways' demise.

The Associated Press reported that the Christmas disruptions were even more worrisome to passengers than the company's filing of a second bankruptcy earlier in the year. Travel agents, concerned that their customers would be stranded if US Airways goes under and decides to liquidate, were prompted by the Christmas situation to start booking elsewhere.

"Up here in Philadelphia, the people I talk to, the agents are being very conservative. Where an alternative exists, they're recommending it, even if it may be more inconvenient," Kevin Mitchell, founder of the Business Travel Coalition, in an interview with the AP. "Normally you'd say, 'These people will forget this once they get to St. Thomas,' but I've never heard the level of frustration and resignation," Mitchell said.

FMI: www.usairways.com