www.CostaRicaTicas.com

This could be bad news for us guys because AA is one of the best American carriers for traveling to Central and South America:




(Reuters) - Shares of American Airlines parent AMR Corp (AMR.N) fell more than 18 percent on Monday as analysts debated the prospects for a bankruptcy filing for the third- largest U.S. airline, which lags its industry peers.

Airline stocks were down broadly on concerns that a weak economy will drain travel demand and hit fares this autumn.

But American, seen financially as the weakest major carrier, saw the worst share losses on a percentage basis. The stock was down 15.9 percent, or 47 cents, at $2.49 on the New York Stock Exchange.

"When can they stop the bleeding of cash?" asked Basili Alukos, an equity analyst at Morningstar. The carrier had a second-quarter net loss of $286 million, while rivals showed profits.

"If it appears we're coming into somewhat of a rough patch or slowdown, how is that going to fare for them?" Alukos said. "I don't think very well, because they were unable to generate a profit kind of in the best of times for the airlines last year."

Ray Neidl, a senior aerospace sector analyst with Maxim Group, said in a recent research note that: "Some believe that a prepackaged bankruptcy filing would be the best thing for AMR and the industry."

An AMR spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for a comment on the bankruptcy talk.

American is the only major carrier that did not restru

This quote was cut off before the crucial info was revealed--"American was the only major carrier that did not restructure..."
Bankruptcy/ restructuring is a way for biz to shed debts and obligations--it doesn't necessarily mean liquidation. They need to restructure to shed obligations to all stakeholders including stockholders and labor contracts, and hopefully come out the other side smaller but stronger. An odious but sometimes necessary business tool. Don't despair about AA quite yet.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Thanks. I did not notice that the bottom was cut off.

Highly Unlikely they will go "out of business". They would in all probability do a "reorg" or be taken over. Personally...I would not miss them one bit.

If you've booked upcoming travel on AA to SJO or elsewhere, have a look at the advice printed in large, friendly letters on the cover of your Hitchhiker's Guide: DON'T PANIC.

You might want to read this web page about airline bankruptcies in general. Looks to be pretty recent info, as it refers to bankruptcies that were news about a year ago.

Most airlines continue operating while in BK. That is, after all, the point--for the airline to continue operating while they shed debts and obligations. However if it really bothers you, you might want to consider buying trip insurance before the airline actually enters BK, because it'll be impossible afterwards.

One effect of the bankruptcy may be some readjusted schedules or canceled flights. Odds are they'll still get you where you want to go on the day you want to go there, but there is an increased risk of being bumped, and your flight time may get moved to a time that's anywhere from "inconvenient" to "doesn't fit my schedule at all." It's up to you to work out with the airline what to do in that case, but you may be SOL if you can't get on the rescheduled flight they give you. (Not really sure what your rights might be in a situation like that.)

All that said, I'm glad I'm booked on DL.

_________________
"Buy the ticket, take the ride." --Hunter S. Thompson

Very true - and a few others - see below

Estebanh (and others) don't worry just yet - BK is used today for a variety of purposes beneficial to the company (screwing suppliers, getting out of leases, renegociating labor agreements, et al) - filing BK has lost a good deal of the shame it once represented, too.

So Estebanh unless you are a shareholder, I would not worry - and I seriously doubt at this time a merger is in the works - also, FWIW, the Miami hub- majority of flights to you know where originate - is their most profitable.

Sheet, I am flying them down to CR over Turkey Day. I am sure it will suck getting there. Maybe Spirit will buy them so they can officially SUCK on purpose!!

_________________
“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” And we are the guys that keep them in Eggs & Grits

I always have a great experience with AA. I guess I am lucky.

If I lived in the Tampa/St Pete area (vs Miami) I'd check out Jet Blue - they fly from Orlando to SJO - great airline - Its not worth the drive from S FL, but from your area - I'd consider it

Jet Blue is great. Direct flight at about 3hours. Price is usually around $320-$380.
Specials as low as $250 rt all in. Not to mention I like MCO better. Wing man and I out on 13 Oct at $320. Keep the girls warm till then.

_________________
May the force be with you my CRT Jedi.

MCO may be a better airport, but its all the Disney "Pilgrims" who really piss me off. Last time I am in a hurry to get on an SW flight as I am flying on buisness and three doofus Disney vacationers are ahead of me in the bag drop line and deciding to rearrange luggage or take pictures or some other non sensical thing so that the line goes on with out them until it is painfully obvious by my repeated eye rolls. Their response "Don't worry, everyone will catch their plane" Yeah, right you and the loser you are married to and you loser sister are all on vacation, so what do you care?? Meanwhile, I am actually meeting my boss and will have hell to pay if I miss my flight, but they you obviously have control over the flight schedule and know we will all make our flights. Sorry, just wanted to share that rant with someone.

_________________
“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” And we are the guys that keep them in Eggs & Grits

Actually, I think TPA is the best airport in the country - MCO is OK, but it was designed to be like TPA, but the original - to me - is still the best. Flying there since 1975 and I love the place - have family in St Pete, although living in Miami, we now mostly drive.

What, no clueless folks at TPA I hear you..... They are all over and (hopefully) oblivious to how annoying they really are

I had 120,000 miles. Just two weeks ago I used 110,000 for round trip bussiness class to the philippines. Mostly Cathy from Kennedy and return Ohara, I just keep praying that I make it in time. The best miles for me is Capital one. Booked on expedia for best rate. let them know and charge on card was gone. Have a chase ink that is suppose to work the same way. But my USair and AA advantage you can never find a seat when you want to go. Then it is upgrade to first to get even close to right dates. Cap. One is it for me. No, I do not work for them.

_________________
Take a walk on the wild side.

I would agree with you guys that MCO is only good for direct SJO and flights to DAV.

I prefer TPA for other destinations. I hate changing planes.The 25 years in west Fl it has

main departure airport. Also Spirit flights only good for MDE out of TPA. (Arrival times) Oops did I say a

bad word.

_________________
May the force be with you my CRT Jedi.

Yeah, forgot to mention the asshole TSA guy who was checking the legitimacy of my travel docs the other day when I flew to Vegas. I usually use my MIL ID as sometimes I get sent to a shorter line or at least a "Thank you for serving" type of response that the drones are programed to say, but not this Richard Head, I stroll up to him and say "Good morning, how are you today" and get a big nothing in response. Then I show him the military ID as most of these guys if they served are normally lower enlisted that just got out or retired military. The ID lists my rank and normally that will either garner a little respect from the retired guys or some envy; either way, it works for me.

and I agree that TPA is a pretty neat airport, far superior to others I have been through.

_________________
“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” And we are the guys that keep them in Eggs & Grits